And if we put bits in the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. Behold also ships: although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wishes. So also the tongue is a small member of the body[a] and boasts great things. Behold how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest!

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Footnotes

  1. James 3:5 The words “of the body” are not in the Greek text but are supplied for clarity

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.(A) Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.(B) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

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