the boneless tongue

I've had this running through my head for the last couple of days.

The boneless tongue so small and weak,
Can crush and kill declared the Greek.

The tongue destroys a greater horde
the Turk asserts, than does the sword.

The Persian proverb wisely saith
A lengthy tongue - an early death.

Or sometimes takes this form instead,
Don't let your tongue cut off your head.

The tongue can speak a word whose speed
The Arab says outstrips the steed.

While Chinese sages thus impart
The tongue's great storehouse is the heart.

From Hebrew wit the maxim's sprung,
Tho' foot may slip ne'er let the tongue.

The sacred writer crowns the whole,
Who keeps his tongue doth keep his soul.

Mrs. Adams (my very very talented high school drama teacher) used to make me recite it to practice my diction.