A wise person is a self-controlled person. He keeps a tight reign on his emotions, actions, and words lest they foolishly go and gallop off a cliff with him on their backs. Just as an expert cowboy knows how to make his horse do what he wants it to do, so a wise person turns his emotions, actions, and words to his own advantage.
My Uncle Larry, who was raised in Texas and looks like a cowboy should, is a great example of a man with a self-controlled mouth. He rarely talks, and he never speaks loudly. But when he does open his mouth, something wise and interesting always comes out. He looks a lot like the “man of knowledge” described in Proverbs 17:27-28:
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Notice the intimate connection between verbal self-control and emotional self-control. And then consider the irony whereby silence makes even fool appear wise.
Unfortunately, like a mirage in a desert, the silent fool’s wisdom disappears on close inspection. When you open your mouth, the truth abut you eventually comes out. How we speak shows who we really are. Words reveal character.
Every prudent man acts out of knowledge,
but a fool exposes his folly (13:16).
Words also have consequences. Several proverbs contrast the results of the speech patterns of sages and fools.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil (15:28).
Wise men store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool invites ruin (10:14).
Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing (12:18).
He who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin (13:3).
“Evil,” in this case, seems to be the harm recklessly uttered words do to others. “Ruin,” by contrast, seems to the harm the harm they do to the one who uttered them. “Loose lips sink ships,” warned the Allies in World War II. Sometimes, unfortunately, those ships include the one you’re sailing on.
What kind of “evil” can reckless words do?
Slander:
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor,
but a man of understanding holds his tongue (11:12).
Gossip:
A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy man keeps a secret (11:13).
Rash promises you can’t keep:
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider his vows (20:25).
But of course a self-controlled mouth can do a lot of good too, like giving insightful advice:
Make plans by seeking advice;
if you wage war, obtain guidance (20:18).
In light of these consequences, a self-controlled mouth is more valuable than money or success:
Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse (19:1).
So, a word to the wise: Keep your mouth shut!
GeorgePWood.com 
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