People of Understanding
He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. (Proverbs 17:27-28) So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; (James 1:19) We are more likely to transgress by the things we say than the things we do, so when it comes to speech, less is often more. That is because our words have great power, and they make an immediate impression on those who hear them the moment they are spoken. We cannot un- say the things we say any more than we can un- do our actions; so, the more carefully and sparingly we speak, the better. This is a difficult but invaluable lesson, and the sooner we learn it, the better. There is much value in being a determined listener, for it is a greater a privilege to be quiet and listen than to speak and be heard. In fact, those who ...