On words

The tongue is a curious thing. To write about its evils is to repeat what has already been written by a far wiser man than I in James 3. But still, thought must be given to its double-edged nature. It was on the way home that I realised how almost everything in this world has a double-edged nature. Everything can be used either for good or for ill. Consider a tree. It can be used to build a table, or it can be used as an implement for hitting someone. Consider a building. It can be used to house people, or it can be used, in conjunction with a plane, as a rather large-scale bomb. Similarly the tongue can used to bless and to curse.

I am unfortunately verbose. This, again, is a double-edged thing, for it means I can either speak eloquently or release unflattering remarks at all the wrong times. The latter I frequently do, to the distress of others and myself. My sincere apologies to all I may have offended. The tongue, then, is truly a restless evil. To quote Prof Tolkien, "Is it not a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt for so small a thing? So small a thing!"

I want to consider words. Sometimes I feel people don't understand the real meaning of the words they use, and the impact they have on others. It's like they just use them with no real consideration of the word choice. Assuredly in older times a word meant and said much more than it does today. That's why I want to learn Hebrew! Or Greek! Fascinating languages... Sometimes English can be so bland.

One common example of bad usage is the word "hate". Hate is such a strong word. It implies intense anger and dislike for something or someone. And yet I hear it being used all the time, even among friends. Is it proper to use such a word against people you are only temporarily angry? Hatred connotes great revulsion, so great you refuse to be associated with that something, and may in fact take steps to remove it. Justifiably scripture says the Almighty hates sin, for sin is contrary and disgusting to His nature and hence He would try all means to remove it. And indeed, He has done so, in one fell swoop. Conversely, we say the devil hates the Lord, for he cannot stand to be in His presence or be associated with Him. He therefore tries all sorts of means to sabotage and destroy His plans, futile though his attempts may be. If the word "hate" is thus used to desribe the feelings the Divine has towards sin, arguably a disgusting thing, and the feelings of the devil towards the Divine, it is meet that the word should be used so frequently in our own earthly, human relations? No doubt certain occasions merit the word choice, but I think the intensity of the word has being diluted by frivolous usage.

I do not deny the fact that I, too, am guilty of frivolous usage of words, and I pray I will one day learn to control my tongue. In the meantime I must work hard at keeping silent when necessary...

The winds of change blow once more, and politics shift. You know, politics is such a fascinating thing. Two weeks has certainly yielded much change, and at the upcoming Meatball Conference we shall once again meet to hear the enlightening words of a certain Prof Chua... In the words of the Lit teachers, a good overview always helps to set the direction your essay is going.