What does the term "lose lips sink ships" mean?

idiom meaning "beware of unguarded talk"

James says in the Bible that when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. He says that we can take ships as an example that although they are so large, and driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great things. As great forests can be set on fire by a small spark so the tongue also is fire. In other words, we can destroy relationships or construct relationships, we can build great things or destroy many with our words.

fearing kabuki could corrupt the nation’s morals, japanese government officials

explanation:

the national morals was so the japanese and the kabuki would stop fighting