I dislike expressions which depend on bad logic. For instance, “God gave you two ears and one mouth, you should use them that way.” If so, then wouldn’t biology also require that we listen more than we breathe and use our fingers about five times as much as we use our elbows? Surely such absurd conclusions are no more invalid than the other one. When I said this on my show recently, a caller challenged me to find a pithy replacement that might more rationally encourage people to listen more. I didn’t have to look far.
“He who restrains his words has knowledge…Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise…” (Proverbs 17:27-28) “A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind.” (Proverbs 18:2) “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.” (Proverbs 18:13) Perhaps they aren’t as cute as their modern substitute, but at least they have the virtues of being time-honored and not illogical.
Besides, wouldn’t it be nice if people taught true principles by way of the Bible rather than silly analogies?
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