Silence Does Not Automatically Equal Wisdom

Proverbs 17:28
"Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."

It is interesting to note that, although a man who refrains from speech is "counted wise" and "esteemed a man of understanding," those imputations of wisdom are actually perceived realities, not true facts. In other words, keeping your mouth shut doesn’t make you smart; it merely hides your foolishness from others.

The man who diligently studies God’s Word and applies it to his life need not hold his peace in order to hide his foolishness from the world. Instead he relies on the wisdom of the Lord to provide a strong foundation of knowledge and truth for his speech.

While I am by no means advocating uninformed commentary or arrogant blustering, I am encouraging myself and others to resist the fear of man and to speak truth when appropriate. A man who consistently says nothing is not a leader, but rather a coward. Therefore, men, be bold, act like men, and proclaim the truth!