Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.

Teenagers never cease to amaze me; they think they can talk their way out of anything. OK, maybe I’m only thinking about my kids, I’m sure there are those who show wisdom in these matters. Politicians are most often just like teens; they mess up, get caught with their hands in the cookie jar, and think they can talk their way out of trouble.

There’s a news story that is making the rounds these days about emails and servers, I’m sure you’ve heard it if you are here in the USA. I don’t know about all of the legalities at issue here and so I have no opinion to offer on the case, but I can’t help noticing that every time the former official in question offers an explanation, the problem seems to get worse.  Any good lawyer, and as I recall, this particular former official is a lawyer, will tell his client to avoid unnecessary conversation with their legal opponents. “Answer the questions with a ‘yes’ ‘no’ or ‘I can’t recall’ are the only answers you give.” Multiplying words causes no end of trouble.

A prudent person doesn’t volunteer information in a legal proceeding, but this maxim goes well beyond legalities. A prudent person doesn’t say stupid things or engage in silly and foolish conversation, including gossip and the telling of tall tales. Rather a prudent person restrains him or herself to conversation that is wholesome, empowering, loving, truthful and kind.