Category: Words and Speech
Proverbs 10:19 KJV
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”
Proverbs 17:27 KJV
“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”
Proverbs 17:28 KJV
“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
Today is Day 110, and the theme from Proverbs is one every business owner, leader, salesperson, manager, and professional would do well to remember: wisdom knows when to be silent.
In business, words matter. A careless answer can weaken trust. A defensive comment can cost a sale. An unnecessary opinion can create tension in a meeting. A poorly timed response can turn a small issue into a larger one. Many of us have experienced that moment when we wished we had paused, thought longer, and said less.
Proverbs 10:19 says, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” In business terms, the more we talk without discipline, the more likely we are to say something careless, exaggerated, unhelpful, or hard to take back. Wise people do not speak just to fill the silence. They learn to speak with purpose. They think before they answer. They avoid repeating themselves, talking past the point, or reacting emotionally in the moment.
This is especially important in customer service, leadership, and sales. A prepared and thoughtful response is usually better than a quick and wordy one. A professional who has learned to answer common objections with calm and clarity is far more effective than someone who rambles, argues, or speaks out of frustration. In many cases, brevity with wisdom builds more confidence than volume with emotion.
Proverbs 17:27 says, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” People with real knowledge do not usually feel the need to prove it every few minutes. They listen. They ask questions. They seek to understand before trying to be understood. That is a valuable business principle.
One practical approach is this: ask two questions before offering your opinion. That simple habit can improve conversations with clients, coworkers, vendors, and prospects. Questions slow us down. Questions help us gather facts. Questions also give us permission to speak into the real issue instead of the issue we assumed was there. In business, that can save relationships, reduce misunderstandings, and lead to better decisions.
Proverbs 17:28 adds, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” My foster mother used to say, “It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Later in life, I realized how closely that lines up with Proverbs.
That does not mean we should never speak. It means we should know when to speak, why to speak, and how to speak. Before we jump in, it is worth asking: Is this helpful? Is it necessary? Is it timely? Will it build the conversation, strengthen the relationship, or improve the outcome? Or am I just trying to prove that I am right, informed, or important?
In business, not every comment needs a response. Not every criticism deserves a reaction. Not every meeting requires your full opinion on every issue. Sometimes the most professional person in the room is the one who listens carefully, speaks clearly, and leaves the rest unsaid.
Imagine a small construction company meeting with a frustrated commercial client. The project is slightly behind schedule because one supplier missed a delivery window. The client comes into the meeting tense and already prepared for a fight. The project manager feels the pressure and wants to immediately explain every detail, defend the team, and point out that the supplier was really to blame.
But instead of launching into a long explanation, he pauses.
He asks two questions first.
“What is your biggest concern right now?”
Then, “What would help you feel confident moving forward from here?”
Those two questions change the whole tone of the meeting. The client admits the biggest concern is not really the short delay itself, but fear that the next phase will also fall behind and disrupt tenant move in dates. Now the real issue is on the table.
Because the manager listened first, he is able to answer with fewer words and greater precision. He says, “Thank you. That helps. Here is what we have already done, here is the adjusted timeline, and here is how we will update you twice a week until this phase is complete.”
No arguing. No blaming. No overexplaining. Just calm, clear, measured words.
The meeting ends with more trust than it started with.
That is Proverbs in action.
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin.”
“He that hath knowledge spareth his words.”
“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise.”
Sometimes in business, wisdom is not shown by how much you can say. It is shown by knowing what to say, when to say it, and when silence is the stronger choice.
Closing Thought
Wisdom in business is not only about strong strategy, good products, or better numbers. It is also about disciplined speech. The right word at the right time can steady a client, calm a conflict, preserve a relationship, and strengthen your reputation. Just as importantly, the wrong words can do the opposite.
Wisdom is as much about what we do not say as what we do.
If you want, I can also turn this into a slightly shorter blog version and a LinkedIn version.
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