LESS SPEECH, MORE SILENCE

Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak

A wise man, once asked why he was so miserly with words replied: “The Creator of the world has given man two ears, but just one tongue. This is so that we may listen more than we speak.”

LISTENING more than speaking is a prudent course to adopt. In doing so we increase our knowledge, have a better understanding of the other person’s viewpoint, prepare what we wish to say and encourage in the speaker a greater receptivity to what we wish to say when finally it is our turn to hold forth. When we speak, it is not generally sufficient just to utter the truth. We have to be able to talk persuasively if our listeners are to be convinced. This is where our having listened carefully is an advantage. We get to know in advance what misapprehensions we have to sweep aside, what illusions we have to dispel and what emotional barriers we have to break down. If we speak without ever listening to others, we shall always find ourselves in a weak, uncertain, and ill-informed position.


If we speak without ever listening to others, we shall always find ourselves in a weak, uncertain, and ill-informed position.

Sometimes we voice opinions which are not well supported by facts. We can save ourselves embarrassment by first hearing the subject discussed from different angles by different speakers. It is only after mature reflection upon what was said that we should venture to air our views. And even then, they should be aired with full consideration for the feelings of our listeners.

The propensity to talk too much is often a sign of wanting to sing one’s own praises than of getting to the matter, and shows a lack of seriousness towards others. The effect of this is at its worst when the flow of talk is based on insufficient or superficial knowledge. What it most obviously betrays is a lack of character.

The practice of listening more than speaking is not just the external expression of one isolated personality trait; it reflects rather a whole state of mind. Indicative of sincerity and humility, it is the essence of a fine character.