"For hostile word let hostile word be paid"

This quote by Aeschylus is a suggestion that words have power and that we need to be mindful of how we use them. It recommends that if someone speaks to us in a hostile manner, we ought to react in kind. This is not to recommend that we ought to be aggressive or hostile in our reaction, however rather that we need to not be passive or take the abuse. We should defend ourselves and not enable ourselves to be disrespected.

The quote likewise implies that we must not be quick to judge or slam others. We must be mindful of our words and how they might impact others. We ought to believe before we speak and understand the effect our words may have. We should aim to utilize our words to develop and encourage others, rather than tear them down.

Ultimately, this quote is a suggestion that words have power and that we need to bear in mind how we utilize them. We must strive to use our words to develop and encourage others, instead of tear them down. We need to also bear in mind how we respond to hostile words and not allow ourselves to be disrespected.