On Holding the Tongue

Holding the tongue, like eating and sleeping only a little, always has been a golden rule followed by men and women of perfection. Those who wish to develop their spiritual faculties are advised firstly to hold their tongue and to refrain from idle talk. They should not say whatever comes to their minds.

Few people are more pathetic than those who tell others to do that which they themselves do not do. Thus in the words of the Most Truthful One, upon him be peace and blessings, holding one's tongue and preserving one's chastity are keys that open the door to Paradise.

The further away you are from drowning others in your words and from preferring your own words over those of other people, the closer and more lovable to the Creator and the created you become. If you cannot abide by this truth, you cannot fulfill your duties to God and other people.