The spoken word, though it may be short and appears to be only a sound, has in it the power of an atom bomb. When a word of ananda is spoken to a person sunk in despair, it charges him with elephantine strength. When a word of despair is spoken to a person extremely strong and happy, he slumps on the ground, overcome by sorrow. Words can confer strength, they can drain it off. Words can gain friends; they can turn them into enemies. They can elevate or lower the individual. One must learn the habit of making one’s words sweet, soft and pleasant. A person is judged by his words. Words inflict damage in other way too. Whenever we talk disparagingly or defamingly or sarcastically or hatefully of others, they get recorded on the tape, which is our mind. When we record on tape talk given by someone, it lasts even after his passing away. So too, even after we pass away, the impressions and impacts of evil thoughts, spiteful words, and wicked plots, survive physical disappearance. Never, therefore, use or listen to words that ridicule, scandalise or hurt others. Slander is the direct sin. (SSE, p. 113)