# General Information:

James is developing an argument that small things can control big things.

# Now if we put bits into horses' mouths

James speaks about horses' bits. A bit is a small piece of metal that is placed into a horse's mouth to control where it goes.

# Now if

"If" or "When"

# horses

A horse is a large animal used to carry things or people.

# Notice also that ships ... are steered by a very small rudder

A ship is like a truck that floats on water. A rudder is a flat piece of wood or metal at the back of the ship, used to control where it goes. The word "rudder" could also be translated as "tool."

# are driven by strong winds,

This can be stated in active form. AT: "strong winds push them, they" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# are steered by a very small rudder to wherever the pilot desires

"have a small tool that a person can use to control where the ship goes"

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/obey]]