The problems that a good many have are a result of one simple thing.They talk when they should have remained silent.
Good grief. Stop it.
This issue is pointedly taken up by Robert Green in his best selling book, The 48 Laws of Power.
Green takes the entirety of Law 4 to address it:
LAW 4 – ALWAYS SAY LESS THAN NECESSARY
“When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.”
The more you say – the more you reveal.
The more you say – the more you show your insecurities and flaws.
The more you say – the more opportunities you have to embarrass yourself.
The Bible even addresses this issue.
Over and over it warns against careless words:
“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
—Proverbs 10:19
“Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.”
—Proverbs 17:28
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”
—James 1:19
“Do you see a man hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
—Proverbs 29:20
And the list goes on:
The decision to talk should be a cautious, measured, and planned decision.
Talking in the presence of others is like writing on the internet: It is nearly impossible to take back what you have said.
Be careful what you say around people. It matters.
It matters greatly.
If you are at all in doubt about something, be quiet about it.
