Quotes About Profanity and Christ-like Conversation Page 1
"Why hide it? Why protest against it? Many things that are
real are not right. Disease germs are real, but must we therefore
spread them? A pestilent infection may be real, but ought we to
expose ourselves to it? Those who argue that so-called "real life" is
license must remember that where there's an is, there's an ought.
Frequently, what is and what ought to be are far apart. When is and
ought come together, an ideal is formed. The reality of profanity
does not argue for the toleration of it."
Elder Boyd K. Packer, Conference Report, October 1967, p.127
"The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it."
George Washington
"Let not thy tongue give utterance to the evil that is in thine heart, but command thy tongue to be silent until good shall prevail over the evil."
Brigham Young
"Mend your speech a little, lest it may mar your fortune."
William Shakespeare
"The art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."
Dorothy Nevill
"If any man think it a small matter to bridle his tongue, he is much mistaken."
Plutarch
"Profanity never did any man the least good. No man is the richer, or happier, or wiser, for it. It commends no one to any society. It is disgusting to the refined; abominable to the good; insulting to those with whom we associate; degrading to the mind; unprofitable, needless, and injurious to society."
Author Unknown
"Into the closed mouth the fly does not get."
Philippine Proverb
"Language is the dress of thought; every time you talk your mind is on parade."
Author Unknown
"Please, dear God, make my words today sweet and tender—for tomorrow I may have to eat them."
Author Unknown
"What should not be heard by little ears should not be said by big mouths."
Author Unknown
"If you can hear the name of Deity lightly spoken of and blasphemed, and not be shocked at it, you may know that you are not in that path that leads to life and salvation."
Brigham Young
"While we have the privilege of speaking to each other, let us speak words of comfort and consolation. When you are influenced by the Spirit of holiness and purity, let your light shine; but if you are tried and tempted and buffeted by Satan, keep your thoughts to yourselves—keep your mouths closed; for speaking produces fruit, either of a good or evil character."
Brigham Young
"If you first gain power to check your words, you will then begin to have power to check your judgment, and at length actually gain power to check your thoughts and reflections."
"We often hear people excuse themselves for their uncouth manners and offensive language, by remarking "I am no hypocrite," thus taking to themselves credit for that which is really no credit to them. When evil arises within me, let me throw a cloak over it, subdue it, instead of acting it out, upon the false presumption that I am honest and no hypocrite.
Let not thy tongue give utterance to the evil that is in thine heart, but command thy tongue to be silent until good shall prevail over the evil, until thy wrath has passed away and the good Spirit shall move thy tongue to blessings and words of kindness."
"Some are in the habit of talking about their neighbors, of vending stories they know nothing about, only that Aunt Sally said that Cousin Fanny told Aunt Betsy that old Aunt Ruth said something or other, or somebody had had a dream; and by the time the story or dream reaches you, it has assumed the semblance of a fact, and you are very foolishly spending your time in talking about things that amount to nothing, or that you have no concern with.
A report is started that such a one has done wrong, and, by the time it has gone its round, has become anointed with the salve of the backbiter and tale-bearer—becomes endowed with their spirit.
One and another falls in with it and says, "That is true—your cause is just, you are exactly right, and the other is surely wrong," when they know nothing about the matter, thereby engendering entirely groundless ill feelings against each other.
Before we condemn, we should wait until the heavens clearly indicate a fault in a father, brother, sister, wife, husband, or neighbor. And if heaven declares a fault, wait until the Holy Ghost manifests to you that such is a fault.
Let the Father reveal to you that the person you are thinking or talking about is actually wrong. Traduce (expose to shame or blame by falsehood) no person. When you know what right is, and are capable of correcting a person that is wrong, then it is time enough for you to judge."
"There is an old maxim, and in many cases an excellent one. It is, 'Think twice before you speak, and three times before you act.' If we train ourselves to think what we are about to do, before we do it, and have understanding to know, and power to perform the good, we can thereby avoid...evil."
"It is also a precious gift, that some people seem to be possessed of, to have knowledge enough not to talk until they can say something to advantage and benefit to themselves, or others, or both."
Brigham Young
Now, my brethren young and old, there is another matter I wish to mention. I wish to read for you a verse for your serious thought. The verse is called "Keeping Clean" and is in somewhat the same area as the other Brethren have talked about.
Keeping Clean
When you tell a filthy story,
Do you ever stop to think
What impression you have made upon the crowd?
Do you think the boys enjoy it?
Do you think because they laugh
That you have sufficient reason to be proud?
Do you know that you exhibit
All that is within your soul,
When the filthy story passes from your tongue?
It reveals your own defilement,
It proclaims your ignorance,
It disgusts all decent boys who love real fun.
Do you think that you exhibit any real common sense,
When you show the crowd how rotten is your mind?
Do you know that you dishonor
Both your parents and your friends?
Think it over, boys, and that is what you'll find.
Be a little choice in language;
Be a little more refined,
If respect of those around you you would win,
You will have a great advantage over those who are inclined
To go through life in filth, and slime and sin.
President Spencer W. Kimball: Oct. 1978, Gen. Conf. Priesthood Session
"Speech is a mirror of the soul; As a man speaks, so he is."
Publilius Syrus