Quiet Words Better Than a Shout
Periodically, I attend an event sponsored by our congregation's prayer ministry called "Prayer Tea". One of the highlights of this particular event a ritual in which tea bags are distributed that have scriptures printed on the tags. It's much more fascinating than Chinese fortune cookies. I'm always intrigued by the particular scriptures that find their way into my possession. Last Saturday's was no exception. It read:
The quiet words of a wise man are better than the shout of a king of fools.
This proverb speaks several things to me. First of all, I notice the attention given to volume. Quiet vs. loud. Isn't it true that as things get quieter around us, we tend to quiet ourselves to match our surroundings? I used to employ this tactic when my children were much smaller and I would notice that they were getting wound a little too tight. As I deliberately slowed my pace and softened my voice, they would often cue off my behavior and follow suit, settling down. The reverse principle is also true -- get louder and those around you probably will too.
But I'm more focused on the aspect of wise words spoken quietly. If the words one speaks are indeed words of wisdom, then these words will stand on their merit. No need to shove them down another's throat, demanding that our words be heard or heeded. He will show himself wise or foolish soon enough. If he chooses to follow the good advice, things will turn out well for him, and he will see the wisdom. However, if he choses not to heed the words, then things will turn out badly, but he will nevertheless understand, in hindsight, that the words were truth.
This suggests that I can let go of any insistance that others listen to me when I "know" I am right. My "wisdom" will be borne out soon enough. No need to control the outcome of the situation. I can be gentle but firm. And above all I can relax when my advice is disregarded. (Actually, since things I've learned the hard way have tended to really stick with me, then when someone doesn't act on a bit of good advice and experiences difficulty, chances are good that he'll learn something.)
But this verse indicates that the best bet is to value the quiet, wise words. Other proverbs confirm that it isn't necessary to go through the school of hard knocks. We are free to quiet ourselves in the presence of good words spoken softly, and then to heed the words.
Now that's wisdom.
The quiet words of a wise man are better than the shout of a king of fools.
-- Ecclesiastes 9:17 TLB
This proverb speaks several things to me. First of all, I notice the attention given to volume. Quiet vs. loud. Isn't it true that as things get quieter around us, we tend to quiet ourselves to match our surroundings? I used to employ this tactic when my children were much smaller and I would notice that they were getting wound a little too tight. As I deliberately slowed my pace and softened my voice, they would often cue off my behavior and follow suit, settling down. The reverse principle is also true -- get louder and those around you probably will too.
But I'm more focused on the aspect of wise words spoken quietly. If the words one speaks are indeed words of wisdom, then these words will stand on their merit. No need to shove them down another's throat, demanding that our words be heard or heeded. He will show himself wise or foolish soon enough. If he chooses to follow the good advice, things will turn out well for him, and he will see the wisdom. However, if he choses not to heed the words, then things will turn out badly, but he will nevertheless understand, in hindsight, that the words were truth.
This suggests that I can let go of any insistance that others listen to me when I "know" I am right. My "wisdom" will be borne out soon enough. No need to control the outcome of the situation. I can be gentle but firm. And above all I can relax when my advice is disregarded. (Actually, since things I've learned the hard way have tended to really stick with me, then when someone doesn't act on a bit of good advice and experiences difficulty, chances are good that he'll learn something.)
But this verse indicates that the best bet is to value the quiet, wise words. Other proverbs confirm that it isn't necessary to go through the school of hard knocks. We are free to quiet ourselves in the presence of good words spoken softly, and then to heed the words.
Now that's wisdom.
posted by Linda at
9:45 PM
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