Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label wisdom

The Wisdom of Silence: “Keep Your Mouth Shut, Open Your Eyes”

Shut your mouth; Open Your Eyes.    These short, pithy sayings pack a lifetime of wisdom into a few carefully chosen words.   At first glance, this is pretty straightforward advice. Don’t babble; observe. However, as with all effective proverbs, its meaning extends beyond its surface meaning. Let’s unpack it a bit and see what treasures we can find hidden in its brief message.   The first part, “Keep Your Mouth Shut,” isn’t just about keeping quiet. It’s about practicing restraint. It’s about choosing your words carefully and, perhaps more powerfully, choosing not to speak at all. Think about it: How often do we say things we later regret? How often do we participate in discussions without fully understanding the situation? This part of the proverb urges us to resist that impulse. It encourages us to hold back, to listen more than we speak.   This holding back is not necessarily about being secretive or dishonest. It is about being prudent. It is ...

Take a big bite, don't say a big word - Wisdom in two parts

Proverbs are short but powerful capsules of folk wisdom. They convey lessons learned over generations, often in figurative language to make them easier to remember. "Take a big bite; don't say a big word." It may seem straightforward, doesn't it? But behind it lie profound insights into human nature, ambition, and caution. Part One: "Take a big bite..." This part of the proverb directs us toward practicality and action. The big bite symbolizes ambition, the desire for more, and the courage to take on difficult tasks. It is a metaphor for entrepreneurship, the pursuit of success, and openness to new opportunities. It does not tell us to be afraid to take on more work or pursue big goals. On the contrary, it encourages us to be courageous and proactive. But why "take a bite"? In life, we often need to respond swiftly and resolutely. We often need to seize opportunities before they disappear. Part Two: "...don't say a big word." The prov...