“The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.”
Proverbs 10:8, 10 NIV
I’m afraid to say, but I can sometimes be a foolish chatterbox. (Mainly when I’m excited or just drank a lot of coffee). These two verses in Proverbs 10 highlight what is so problematic with being too chatty. Other verses here make mention of it as well.
In verse 8 it’s poised as the opposite of someone who can accept commands. Perhaps it’s someone who has a million and one excuses why they shouldn’t do the thing you just instructed them to do, why they have a better idea or perhaps would rather talk than follow through on directions.
Verse 10 is one of my favorites. There are certain verses in the Bible that reference offensive behaviors that actually seem pretty benign to us. “Malicious winking.” Go ahead. Stop reading this for right now and try it. Practice on a friend or family member. Maliciously wink at them.
…………………………
They probably thought you had something stuck in your eye. But somehow, doing this was an upsetting activity. And it fell right in line with the foolishness of chatterboxes.
What’s good about talking? Anything beneficial besides communicating directions? How about encouragement…
“The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.”
Proverbs 10:21 NIV
I want to know when it’s appropriate to be chatty. When it’s best to encourage and compliment. To build up others rather than tell stories about myself that seem to build me up.
Viroqua Naz 