“Eist moran agus can beagan” – “Hear much, say little”
For its size, the tongue is a powerful little thing. In his book, Jesus’ brother James says as much, likening the tongue to the bit in a powerful horse’s mouth, the rudder on a massive ship or the tiny spark that sets whole forests ablaze.
Animals can be tamed, physical forces can be harnessed, but no man can control, tame, or harness the tongue. Furthermore, while the tongue is exceedingly destructive, that little muscle anchored to the back of the mouth is not the problem. Words themselves are simply verbal expressions of the thoughts that flow from our hearts and minds. And, as is said in Scripture, the heart is exceedingly wicked, who can know it? The reason the tongue is so damaging is because our hearts and minds are so sinful! The tongue is that powerful conduit through which our sin is too often conducted and communicated. Can you imagine how much better everyone would simply get along (much more honor God!) if we could learn how to “say little?” Furthermore, this speech is not limited to only audible, verbal communication utilizing language and particular speech patterns fashioned with pressurized air. Blogging, Twittering, Digging, Texting, writing, typing, gesturing and signing all fall under this heading. Sometimes what is not “said” is best said.
Additionally, while the tongue (and pen and keyboard) usually must be reigned in, the ear is far too often never utilized enough in our human and divine interactions. It is amazing what you can learn about someone by simply listening to what they have to say. 
I must admit, I am really bad at this. I talk way too much and listen way too little. Fortunately, God is using my wife, a very good listener, to sanctify me. Her ability to listen allows her to sympathize with people better than anyone I know. Should we not all strive to be like that? Are our words and our thoughts really that much more important than the words and thoughts of others? “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (). Are we content with being fools or should we not, by the Grace of Almighty God, strive for something better?
Lastly, some wisdom from the Proverbs:
“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is deemed intelligent” ()
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” ()
“A wise son hears his fathers instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.” ()
Rath Dé Ort!
Andrew J. Nicewander
Accumulation of anything usually never happens all at once. Money does not grow on trees and most people never win the lottery. Land is never free and rare is the person who is bequeathed large tracts of land at the untimely death of some long lost aunt. Knowledge is always difficult to obtain and you might just have to fail 1000 times at something to achieve that one ground-breaking success. Yet, castles are built, money is earned, land is acquired and knowledge is learned.
He does not quit when the 999 tries nets him zero success. He persists when unforeseen expenses empty his bank account and when that land he saved up for turns out to be sitting smack in the middle of a flood plain.