A friend's bitter words seem to us more poisonous than a serpent's teeth.
Farewell's a bitter word to say.
Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.
Senseless is the breast and cold Which relenting love would fold; Bloodless are the veins and chill Which the pulse of pain did fill; Every little living nerve That from bitter words did swerve Round the tortur'd lips and brow, Are like sapless leaflets now Frozen upon December's bough.
To use bitter words, when kind words are at hand, Is like picking unripe fruit when the ripe fruit is there.