The tongue, by Daniel Park

Proverb 15:2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
In the preceding proverb we saw the tongue of the gentle person contrasted to the tongue of the harsh person.  In this proverb we see the tongue of the wise person contrasted to the tongue of the foolish person.  A foremost lesson to be observed is this: The wise man is in command of his tongue, but the foolish man is under the command of his tongue.

1. The wise man knows when to speak and when to be silent; but the fool speaks incessantly and never knows when to shut up.
2. The wise man knows what to say and what to leave unspoken; but the fool knows nothing and tells all.
3. The wise man’s tongue is his servant for imparting knowledge; but the fool’s tongue is his master for dispersing nonsense.
4. The wise man’s tongue is used for the benefit of his hearers; but the fool’s tongue uses him for the amusement of his hearers.

-- Let us all in this regard imitate Jesus Christ (Matthew 8:28): “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” – From Daniel E. Park, via Mike McInnis