Stop Talking

​By Lavern Nissley

That's right. Just stop talking. Not for good, but to give others a chance to talk and for you to learn.

All of us, unless we're extremely shy and/or very un-talkative by nature, could do well by consciously condensing.

I've always been intrigued by ancient proverbs that address how much we speak. Here are a few:

• The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm.
• Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they’re smart.
• Observe the people who always talk before they think--even simpletons are better off than they are.
• (From Proverbs 17:27, 28; 29:20 The Message Version)

One of my favorite authors/speakers is Nicky Gumbel, a delightful English barrister turned evangelist and developer of the Alpha program. Here are several nuggets of observation from him.

• Sir Isaac Newton said, ‘I find intelligence is better spotted when analyzing the questions asked rather than the answers given.’
• Often, those who know most speak least. When we are talking, we are usually merely repeating what we already know. When we are listening, we may learn something new.
• Asking good questions is the key to being a good conversationalist.
• It was said of President John F. Kennedy that he made you think he had nothing else to do except ask you questions and listen, with extraordinary concentration, to your answer. You knew that, for the time being, he had blotted out both the past and the future for you.

Enough said.

I'm going to stop talking now. Join me?