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

Proverbs 10:19

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.

Multiplying words causes no end of trouble.

A prudent person doesn’t volunteer information in legal proceedings, but this maxim goes well beyond legality. 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.

I can recall hearing my father talk about WW2 and the restrictions of what you could and could not say about serving; where you were going, what your job was and so on. Loose talk could get people killed.

It still can.

This is something we will see a lot of in the Proverbs- discussions of words and talking too much: Wisdom requires it.