Proverbs 17:27-28 He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered wise.
In the 1966 case Miranda vs Arizona the Supreme Court of the United States held that an elicited incriminating statement by a suspect will not constitute admissible evidence unless the suspect was informed of the right to decline to make self-incriminatory statements and the right to legal counsel (hence the so-called "Miranda rights"), and makes a knowing, intelligent and voluntary waiver of those rights. In other words, if you get arrested, you have the right to remain silent. Even though everyone has the right to remain silent, not everyone has the ability. They therefore often end up making incriminating statements that are used against them in a court of law.
The bible teaches that silence is often the best policy. My Granny Hester used to say, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all."
Have you found Proverbs 17:27-28 to be true in your experience? Have you noticed that "know it all" types seem to have much to say and that those who really do know a lot sometimes are the quietest ones in the bunch? Have you also noticed that people who know what they are talking about can remain calm while they share their viewpoints? In contrast have you noticed those who are not as confident about the subject matter try to intimidate others with their tempers and easily get hot under the collar? If only people who are quick to speak and quick to weigh in under any circumstances knew how they were perceived by others........they might choose silence more often.
I am not sure where this originated, but one of my personal favorite sayings is this one: "It is better to keep silent and let people think you are an idiot, than to speak and remove all doubt."
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