He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
The wise course of action in discussions and meetings with people is to keep silent and wait for the right moment to speak!
There’s nothing super-spiritual about this proverb, but it will greatly enhance your life if you follow its advice. It’s true in situations of family conflict, in business meetings, in theological discussions, in debates, in conversations around the dinner table, in almost every area of life.
When your spouse says something to you that you don’t like and a quick retort jumps into your mind, push it back down and wait. See where the conversation goes first. You’ll usually be glad you didn’t say it. When you’re having a Bible study and an animated conversation about the topic breaks out and you are not sure which position is right, just wait a little while and usually it will become clear; then express your opinion.
When a friend asks you for some advice about an issue in their life or relationships, don’t answer immediately—first ask some more questions and get more information, then the right counsel will often be clear to you.
What situation in your life today gives you an opportunity to practice this proverb?
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