The Fool (Part 10)

The Fool

Proverbs 10:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

During WWII the United States government had an advertising campaign to aid the war effort abroad.  One of the ads featured a slogan aimed at limiting the information citizens could inadvertently give to enemy spies. The slogan originally was known as Loose Lips might Sink Ships. 

After the war the slogan became an American idiom admonishing all to avoid careless talk.

 

Here in Proverbs Solomon is teaching primarily the same thing.  A wise man will lay up knowledge, in other words he will remember, but not share everything he knows with everyone.  There are times where knowledge is best not shared.  For example, when we know something damaging to someone else’s character, it may not be in the best interest of all to share it with others.  When it comes to a negative circumstance the other old saying on a need to know basis could and should be applied. 

Conversely, the fool tells all everything he hears and knows.  He doesn’t stop to think about how his words might hurt, damage, and possibly even destroy the live of another.   The fool can’t wait to hear the latest greatest gossip just for the thrill of sharing it with everyone.

There are two governing principles my Mother taught me concerning my words.  They are familiar and I am sure you have heard them as well.  One, if you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t say nothin’ at all. (BTW, my Mom was quoting someone, can you guess who?)  The second saying was if you can’t say it to their face, don’t say it behind their back. 

How are we doing with this verse of Scripture?  Which half of the Proverb describes us?  Are we the wise men lay up knowledge or the but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction?