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| From Vancitybuzz.com |
A Sikh colleague and I at work were discussing the foolishness of talking too much and listening too little in the professional, corporate and work context.
I did a quick mobile Google search and selected some of these to read to my Sikh colleague, that was intrigued and I decided to comment further here.
Selected verses
Proverbs 10:19
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
Proverbs 10:19
English Standard Version (ESV)
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Martin here lists verses 19-21 as humanly focusing 'On restraint rather than prattle'. Martin (1986: 666).
Foolish talk is always wise to avoid; instead one should restrain questionable talk.
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Proverbs 13:3
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips [a]comes to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3
English Standard Version (ESV)
3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Martin writes that 'rashness can lead to ruin'. Martin (1986: 668).
I good motto here is 'think before you speak'.
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Proverbs 17:27
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
27 He who restrains his words [a]has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Footnotes: Proverbs 17:27 Lit knows
Proverbs 17:27
English Standard Version (ESV)
27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Martin: 'more advice to 'cool it''. Martin (1986: 674).
At times the cool restraint of words leads to knowledge and wisdom as opposed to foolishness.
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Proverbs 18:2
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own [a]mind.
Footnotes: Proverbs 18:2 Lit heart
Proverbs 18:2
English Standard Version (ESV)
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
'The fool 'declares himself' by his chatter'. Martin (1986: 674).
One should make sure there is knowledge and wisdom in talk and not mere foolishness.
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Proverbs 20:19
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
19 He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with [a]a gossip.
Footnotes: Proverbs 20:19 Lit one who opens his lips
Proverbs 20:19
English Standard Version (ESV)
19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
[a] Footnotes: Proverbs 20:19 Hebrew with one who is simple in his lips
Gossip and senseless chatter 'undermine the privacy which is essential to a confident and respectful society'. Martin (1986: 677).
Slander does as well.
In a professional, corporate context, discussion of others, a person should remain professional and not personal in the form of gossip, chatter and slander which undermines the work.
These attacks can take place in the form of ad hominem, which attacks the person as opposed to the argument, position and view.
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Proverbs 21:23
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:23
English Standard Version (ESV)
23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
One should not bring more trouble upon self, life is already problematic enough, through unwise and foolish talk.
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Proverbs 26:4
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him.
Proverbs 26:4
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
Martin states: 'It needs insight to talk to a fool; sometimes humour him, sometimes rebuke him'. Martin (1986: 684).
In the professional, corporate, work context, humouring the fool is often preferred over rebuking him, as one still needs to work with the fool.
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Ecclesiastes 5:2
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 2 [a]Do not be hasty [b]in word or [c]impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.
Footnotes:
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Heb
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Lit with your mouth
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Lit hurry your heart
Ecclesiastes 5:2
English Standard Version (ESV) 2 [a] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
Footnotes: Ecclesiastes 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Hebrew
Fleming writes that one should 'listen' and that implies understanding. Fleming (1986: 696).
If one is rash and hasty with words, this can imply that one is not listening. It is vital to listen to God through his word as opposed to opining from one's own sinful nature. The guidance of God, and God the Holy Spirit needs to be sought.
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Ecclesiastes 9:17
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
17 The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Ecclesiastes 9:17
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
Fleming: 'Through a little foolishness much good can be destroyed' Fleming (1986: 699). Foolishness inclines a person to do wrong and look a fool in public. Fleming (1986: 699).
When I read of 'ruler among fools' I think of some of the, not all, world leaders today in the context of government, corporations and religion as they place human wisdom, which can have merit, over that of the Biblical God. Some even mock those that trust in the Biblical God and Scripture.
Therefore there exists some foolish leaders, rulers among fools.
FLEMING, DONALD C. (1986) 'Ecclesiastes' in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
MARTIN, CHARLES G (1986) 'Proverbs' in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
