This morning on Facebook my friend Rev. Micky Youngson posted a short and pithy poem by Brian Bilston on the danger of ill-chosen words, which I shared, then she followed it up with the following pertinent verse of scripture: "Take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19 In the intervening period I had written the following piece that had been percolating in my mind over past days and weeks, with references to classical literature being dropped in to speeches to give them an educated gloss, and other crass statements being made by different people playing to their supporters with no regard for the ultimate effects of their words and policies. This doesn't just apply to the political leaders of the UK and US, but to all those who toss out cheap jibes and soundbites... And indeed memes on social media... We can all be guilty of it... Particularly when we are angry about one thing or another... And a
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