"Fasting in tongue is better than fasting on food." St. John of the Cross

Why is this so? When we fast from sinning by our tongue, we offer a better sacrifice of praise to God than when we fast from food. We sometimes fail to realize how often we sin by the use of our tongue, lies, uncharitable remarks, taking the Lord's name in vain, to mention a few. Jesus said that it is not what we take in that defies a person, but what comes from within. Eating or fasting from food is indifferent. But using our tongue against another is not indifferent. God accepts our fast but desires more that we keep our tongue pure for his praise.