Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."
Proverbs 17:27-28
I like this good advice, to keep our mouths shut more often. :)
It's really tempting to speak up sometimes when we shouldn't... we want to be right, and we want to express our opinions, and we want other people to agree with us and to see/do things our way. And it isn't bad to have opinions and know what we believe at all... but it is often wise to be silent as well, because it gives us time to listen and understand others rather than just trying to promote our own opinions, especially if there is contention involved (3 Nephi 11:29).
The other thing it helps us do is avoid saying the wrong thing... we all say stupid things sometimes that we don't even mean, but sometimes that we really do mean and only realize much later that were misinformed or cruel, and which we eventually regret saying. Keeping our mouths shut more often lowers the possibility of putting our feet in there, and gives us time to consider other opinions and perspectives. We all think that we're right, and the more we realize that we're sometimes mistaken, the easier it is to let go of a wrong opinion--especially when it conflicts with God's opinion. :)
I want to be clear that I am not asking anyone to be silent or not ask questions. Diligent inquiry is what God asks of us, and a great way to learn. Let's talk way more often to God... but let's also think about maybe saying less in any sort of argumentative situation, and even less than that in any way that could be interpreted as criticism. Instead, let's keep our mouths shut a little more, be more positive, and love a lot more. Let's process our words through our brains for a lot longer before we let any of them out through our mouths. I think we'll be seen as a lot wiser, and maybe with time we really will be. :)
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