Times that we shouldn't speak at all

Ever heard the old saying, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt"? It is really good advice; sage advice that I would be wise to remember. Often, I find myself willing to speak before I really need to, before I even think about what I am going to say, before I even think about the fact that the best thing I can say is nothing.

I think most of us have a tendency to want to communicate. And, I think most of us have a desire, while communicating, to appear reasonably intelligent. Yet, if you are like me, you may find yourself engaging mouth way before engaging brain, which will land you in one uncomfortable position after another.

Today's word is Proverbs 17:28, NLT, which is a good reminder of how we, sometimes, need to remain silent: "Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouth shut, they seem intelligent."

This verse, from which the saying probably originated, reminds us that the best things we can sometimes say is nothing at all. I like the fact that it says, "Even fools are thought wise..." So, anyone can appear to be wise if they follow this advice - "when they keep silent.." Then, it goes even further: "...they seem intelligent." When? "...with their mouth shut..." Wanna look and seem intelligent - keep mouth shut.

I guess the truth to be taken from this, and so many other things, is that there is a time to speak. And, there are a lot more times that we shouldn't speak at all.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T