Proverbs Chapter 10
You can tell by the 1st words of this chapter that we have moved to a new section of the book. In this chapter we start see that the truth is revealed by contrast. In other words Solomon will show the truth by giving you the results to the good side and then show the results to the bad side.
(Pro 10:19-21) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. You ever wonder why God gave you 1 mouth and 2 ears? With that math formula, we should talk half as much as we listen. James tells us “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” yet we are society filled with moving mouths. Next time you get your cell phone bill in the mail, check and see how much your running your mouth. My grandfather was an engineer, who scolded me many times for asking questions during one of his projects on the farm. He would say “you can learn a lot more by shutting your mouth and watching how something is done.” As an adult that owns a company that does small engineering work, he words ring in my ears daily. That doesn’t just apply in the building side, but the sales also. If a salesman will shut up every now and then and allow the customer to speak, they will tell you exactly what they are wanting. Learn to ask the right questions then let them answer.
My uncle, who raised me, always prepared me to be able to handle myself in a conflict that would arise in life. He didn’t encourage fight by no means, but wouldn’t tolerate me running from one either. He said “always watch the quiet one”, “the guy running his mouth has no confidence and is try to intimidate with his words”
Whether it’s business, a fight, or engineering, the quiet confidence is always an intimidation factor to me. Plus the fact that most of my personal troubles in my life come from my mouth. We talk too much!