This quote suggests the idea that words have power and consequences. When you hold back your thoughts or feelings, they remain under your control, serving your intentions and allowing you to choose when or how to express them. However, once you speak a word, it takes on a life of its own and can dictate situations and responses, potentially leading you to be subject to its effects. Thus, the quote emphasizes the importance of careful communication, illustrating that while unspoken words can empower you, spoken words can bind you to their consequences.
Quote By: David Niven