Tradition

اَللِّسانُ مِعْيارُ اِطاشَةِ الْجَهْلِ وَ اَرْجِحَةِ الْعَقْلِ

Imam ‘Ali (‘a) is narrated to have said: “The tongue is the measure of both the overflowing of ignorance and the measure of the intellect and wisdom.”1

Brief Commentary

The most important gateway into the character and soul of human beings is found in their tongues. It is the tongue that is the best means of measuring someone’s intellect. With just a small movement, the tongue is capable of revealing the deepest motivations and intentions which someone holds inside. It is for this same reason that many of the commandments of Islam revolve around the reformation of the tongue. Indeed, the Infallibles (‘a) have repeatedly warned of the dangers that can be found in the tongue. It is also obvious that the tongue cannot be reformed unless the spirit and the thoughts of an individual are first reformed. At the same time, it is possible through much silence and care to prevent many of the dangers that can arise from the tongue.

• 1. Tuhaf al-’Uqul, p. 143, Sharh Nahj Al-Balaghah, vol. 7, p. 88. Ghurar Al-Hikam, p. 211.