I think the better way to read this is "by no human power can we tame the tongue".

He's already said no man can tame the tongue.

No human can tame the tongue!", we read the last sentence in verse 10, "My brethren, these things ought not to be this way".

No human can tame the tongue.

Humanly speaking, we can't tame the tongue.

James is saying that "taming the tongue" is impossible, yet he expects us to accomplish the impossible.

One of the talks on the Saturday was on 'Taming the Tongue' which was a very anointed by God.

Aug-91 Taming the Tongue (Newsboys)

How can James, on the one hand, say "no human can tame the tongue", and on the other hand say, "these things ought not to be this way"?

James 3:7-9 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue.

Paul reminds us that taming the tongue is more than refraining--it is more than not cursing, not gossiping, and not speaking harshly--taming the tongue has a positive side.

"Every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humans, but no one can tame the tongue - a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:7-8).