E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
¶ Sword (phrases and proverbs).
At swords’ point. In deadly hostility, ready to fight each other with swords.
1
Poke not fire with a sword. This was a precept of Pythagoras, meaning add not fuel to fire, or do not irritate an angry man by sharp words which will only increase his rage. (See Iamblichus Protreptics, symbol ix.)
2
To put to the sword. To slay.
3
Your tongue is a double-edged sword.
4
You first say one thing and then the contrary; your argument cuts both ways. The allusion is to the double-edged sword out of the mouth of the Son of Man—one edge to condemn, and the other to save. (Rev. i. 16.)
5
Yours is a Delphic sword—it cuts both ways. Erasmus says a Delphic sword is that which accommodates itself to the pro or con. of a subject. The reference is to the double meanings of the Delphic oracles, called in Greek Delphik muchaira.
muchaira.
