A modern proverb suggests, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.” Many people think that’s in the Bible, but those words actually are not. Also, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” That’s a great saying, but those exact words are not in Scripture. Yet, both concepts are Biblical.
The wise man, inspired by the All-Wise God, said, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Prov. 10:19). “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (29:20). “A fool’s voice is known by his many words” (Ecc. 5:3). Of course, James said, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak” (1:19).
There is much to be said about speaking the right words at the right time (Prov. 15:23; 25:11). But there is also much to be said about not saying anything at all. Listening brings wisdom (Prov. 19:20), which helps, when we do speak, that we speak words of wisdom (Prov. 18:4).