“Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive” (Proverbs 17:28).
“It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Though my mother gave me this counsel—often through clenched teeth—centuries after Solomon’ proverb, its sentiment is timeless.
In a world of noise, influencers, and TikTok competition, silence is an increasingly scarce commodity. With this increase of narcissistic noise has also come a rocketing amount of cyber-broadcast folly on display.
When in doubt about saying or doing something foolish, don’t. Repressing that urge builds self-control into your character and wisdom into your mind. A lack of self-control and accurate self-awareness is a reliable indicator of immaturity and folly.
Take it from King Solomon and my mother: If you do not desire to possess vast amounts of wisdom, at least strive to be someone who holds your peace and keeps your lips shut when the unwise do not.
