167,330 views
25 votes
25 votes
Times grew worse and worse with rip van winkle as years of matrimony rolled on a tart temper never mellows with age and a sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener by constant use what does the phrase a tart temper mellows with age and a sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener by constant use suggest

User Rob Agar
by
2.9k points

1 Answer

8 votes
8 votes

Final answer:

The quote means a person with a sour or harsh disposition typically does not soften over time, and their ability to make hurtful comments (sharp tongue) becomes more effective the more they are used.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phrase "a tart temper never mellows with age and a sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener by constant use" suggests that as time goes on, a person with a sour disposition does not become gentler or kinder. In fact, their ability to make cutting remarks (sharp tongue) becomes more honed and effective the more they engage in such behavior. This saying emphasizes that unlike physical tools that dull with use, the skill of using harsh words becomes more refined through repeated use.

User Achwilko
by
2.8k points