A forest pierced by arrows, or cut down by hatchets may again grow, but one’s heart wounded and censured by ill-spoken words never recovereth. Weapons, such as arrows, bullets, and bearded darts, can be easily extracted from the body, but a wordy dagger plunged deep into the heart is incapable of being taken out. Wordy arrows are shot from the mouth; smitten by them one grieveth day and night. A learned man should not discharge such arrows, for do they not touch the very vitals of others.

In plain words: A forest cut down can grow back and an arrow can be pulled out, but a heart wounded by harsh words never fully heals. Cruel words make people suffer day and night, so a wise person should never speak them.