words can lead to disaster; the tongue is the root of calamities
A proverb warning that careless speech can cause serious trouble. Often used as a caution against speaking too freely.
Words can lead to disaster, so let's be careful not to say too much.
He often says that the tongue is the root of calamities.
Standard kanji spelling using 災い (disaster).
Variant using 禍 (calamity), which carries a similar meaning but is less common.
A traditional Japanese proverb. The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a common cultural caution against careless speech.