Proverbs 11:12-13, When Silence is Golden

May 11, Proverbs 11:12-13

Gal. 6:1-5; 2 Thes. 3:10-13 “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (1 Pet. 3:15).

When Silence is Golden

There is a time not to speak (Eccl. 3:7). There is an expression, “Least said, easiest mended.” In Belfast, long before the present troubles, we saw graffiti, “Silence is Golden-IRA,” a warning not to talk too loudly. It was no idle threat! There are four kinds of persons referred to in our Proverbs today.

1. Mr. Scorner: He despises his neighbour (v.12a). He is void of wisdom (destitute of heart). He lacks sense. He speaks rudely. He despises his neighbour (Heb. his friend!). It may be a contempt born out of pride and wickedness (Ps. 31:18) or from prosperity and ease (Job 12:5). With friends like that, who needs enemies? He scorns others. He is openly insolent in speech and bearing. He neither knows himself, his neighbour, nor his God.

2. Mr. Stalwart: A man holds his peace (v.12b), the opposite of the above. He is one who has insight, who understands, and knows when to be silent or deaf. This is the word always used of God’s keeping silence when men, pray empty prayers (Ps. 35:22; 83:1). He listens, reflects, weighs with caution, and only then does he speak. He is no babbler. He doesn’t cringe before superiors, nor is ever rude to those under him. He has mastered himself and his tongue! Silence cannot be written in the papers, nor can it be written down for private circulation. He who says nothing teases the slanderer, and baffles gossip. Quaintly put, “Silence and reflection, with circumspection, save from dejection.”

3. Mr. Squealer: A talebearer reveals secrets (v.13a). He carries slander; he is a walking spy. He trades in gossip (Jer. 6:28)! Drug traffickers are evil, but so is this man who traffics in his neighbour’s name and honour. He insinuates himself into family secrets, and then can’t wait “to spill the beans.” Thus he gratifies his super-ego. It shows, he thinks, how many trust their personal problems to him, and how they rely on him. If he is not always malicious, yet he is always dangerous (Ez. 22:9)! If he reveals his neighbours’ secrets, he will reveal yours also. “Talk and tattle make blows and battle.”

4. Mr. Standfast: He that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter (v.13b). He is a true friend, a trustworthy confidant. He covers, not reveals. He is the opposite of the squealer above. He won’t divulge anything that could hurt his neighbour. He quickly repels the talebearer at the first suspicion. He refuses to hear rather than betray his friend. How invaluable is such a friend. “It was told me in the strictest confidence, but you won’t tell!” “No,” was the quiet reply, “I prefer not to hear it.” How rare a breed they are in this sinful world! The perfect character, like the perfectly kept house, has no dark or dusty corners. “Tale-bearers should be hung up by the tongue, and tale-hearers by the ears.”

Thought: “When faithfulness is most difficult it is most necessary” (Anon).

Prayer: When a friend shares a secret, make me worthy of that trust.