"A tart temper never mellows with age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use"

This quote by Washington Irving is a cautioning about the risks of having a bad temper and a sharp tongue. He suggests that a person's temper does not improve with age, and that the more an individual uses their sharp tongue, the sharper it ends up being. This suggests that the more an individual speaks roughly, the more likely they are to do so in the future. Irving is cautioning versus using a sharp tongue, as it can become a practice that is tough to break. He is likewise suggesting that a person's mood can become worse with age, as it is not something that can be quickly controlled. This quote works as a tip to be mindful of our words and to be knowledgeable about how our temper can affect our relationships with others.