Steyn, Gert Jacobus2015-11-302015-11-302015-09-30Steyn, G., 2015, ‘"Dink voordat jy praat’: Die krag van die tong by Philo en Jakobus', HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 71(1), Art. #3027, 7 pages. http://dx.DOI.org/ 10.4102/hts.v71i1.3027.0259-9422 (print)2072-8050 (online)10.4102/hts.v71i1.3027http://hdl.handle.net/2263/51007It is appropriate to reflect on the ability of language in pursuing and establishing peace. This contribution briefly explores the Jewish Wisdom literature, the Jewish-Hellenistic philosophy of the corpus Philonicum and the wisdom genre of James 3 as valuable sources on the power of the tongue. At least five practical guidelines regarding speech and its role in the creation of peace are deduced from these three collections of literature: the tongue might be small, but its effects are powerful; believers’ speech should be characterised by truth and honesty; there are times when one needs to speak up and openly; but there are also times that one should be cautious and rather keep quiet; wisdom is needed in exercising the ability to differentiate when to speak and when to keep quiet. It is important, however, to develop the ability to distinguish when to speak and when to keep quiet.Afrikaans© 2015. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS OpenJournals. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.Joodse WysheidsliteratuurPhiloJakobusVredeTong as ’n skerp wapenMenslike sprekeGespletenheidTyd om stil te blyTyd om te praatBeheersing van die tongTheology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationTheology articles SDG-05SDG-05: Gender equalityTheology articles SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesTheology articles SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsArticle