"Take the feathers off a hen and put them back on if it is capable!", is a saying among Latinos that seems simple and even funny, but it has a great and worrying meaning; first, because the mere fact of imagining a defenseless animal being tortured in this merciless way, causes disapproval and impotence; and second, considering something impossible to replace, would provoke frustrating anguish. Similar is the situation when we talk about someone: a "simple" comment, malicious gossip or backbiting could separate marriages, divide congregations, physically or emotionally kill entire families and destroy large and solid businesses.

The consequences of lighting an "insignificant" fire in the middle of a forest, unintentionally or accidentally caused, will only be experienced by those who live in the affected territory.

Matthew 7:1-4 NKJV

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?

James 3:5-8 NKJV

5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.