In Context

2 For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.

3 Behold, we put the bits in the mouths of the horses, that they may obey us, and we turn round their whole bodies.

4 Behold also the ships, which are so great, and driven by violent winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the pleasure of the helmsman will.

5 Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles!

6 and the tongue is fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell.

7 For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species;

James 3:5 in Other Translations