"Fire and swords are slow engines of destruction, compared to the tongue of a Gossip"

In this quote, Richard Steele is highlighting the power of words and the damaging force they can have. He compares fire and swords, which are generally seen as tools of destruction, to the tongue of a chatter. This recommends that the words spoken by a chatter can be simply as harmful, if not more so, than physical weapons. Chatter spreads rapidly and can trigger damage to reputations and relationships. It is a pointer to be mindful of the words we speak and the impact they can have. This quote acts as a cautionary tale about the risks of idle chatter and the significance of using our words carefully.