The Government of the Tongue

About this book

A handbook of godly speech by Richard Allestree, published in 1674. Allestree examines the tongue's power for good and for harm — oaths, slander, boasting, and idle talk on one side; truth, meekness, and edifying words on the other — and gives practical rules for governing it. A searching little work on an everyday Christian duty.

Contents

1. Preface
2. Section 1: Of the Use of Speech
3. Section 2: Of the Manifold Abuse of Speech
4. Section 3: Of Atheistical Discourse 🔒
5. Section 4: Of Detraction 🔒
6. Section 5: Of Lying Defamation 🔒
7. Section 6: Of Uncharitable Truth 🔒
8. Section 7: Of Scoffing and Derision 🔒
9. Section 8: Of Flattery 🔒
10. Section 9: Of Boasting 🔒
11. Section 10: Of Querulousness 🔒
12. Section 11: Of Positiveness 🔒
13. Section 12: Of Obscene Talk 🔒
14. The Close 🔒