Judy Ball Poet Quatrain

Notes About The Poem

Sometimes in an effort to be friendly we talk too much, and sometimes the people we " spill our guts to" are not friendly. They will listen an look as we share with them certain knowledge or blessings God has given us. The next thing you know certain ideas we have been working on have been submitted to the boss under someone else's name or you go to buy something you have been saving for only to find your "friend" got there first. Or worse yet you come home to find that someone has broken in and robbed you of your prized possessions.

Don't be too friendly., Don't be too open, Don't talk too much. 

It's best to be a better listener than a speaker.

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Tell no man all that you may know.
Don't show him all your treasure,
Else you will wish you'd held your tongue,
Repenting at your leisure,

All that you have said to him,
And all that you have shown,
Regretting oft in great distress,
The seeds that you have sown.

For what you say to one man, Friend,
Is retold to another,
And blessings best kept to yourself,
Will be lost to your brothers;

For oft times Man will envy Man,
And brother envy brother.
It's often best to hold your peace,
Than later to discover,

All that you have said to him,
And all that you did show,
Has been aspersed to everyone,
To everyone you know.

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Paul Callus May 6, 2021 at 12:59 PM "It's best to be a better listener than a speaker" sums it all up, Judy. As you point out in your poem, people can use your words to suit their own agenda. ~ Blessings // paul

Gershon Wolf April 29, 2021 at 7:16 PM Sage advice, Judy, esp. in this tell-all 'Age of Oprah.' ~ Phileas Fogg

Gordon Mcconnell April 27, 2021 at 1:58 PM Great pen Judy, bringing forth wise advice that we should be better at listening than talking. This has good rhyme and flow with insightful thought too. Hope things good with you, blessings always,Gordon Judy Ball April 27, 2021 at 2:02 PM Thanks so much Gordon. God Bless, JB

Alexis Y. April 24, 2021 at 11:27 AM Hi Judy, I agree with your wise words; we should listen more than we speak. Good advice as well. Have a great day and weekend:-) Judy Ball April 24, 2021 at 1:30 PM Thank you so much Alexis. God Bless, JB

Victor Buhagiar April 24, 2021 at 2:24 AM So true. Least said soon mended. People cannot stop their gossip. Judy Ball April 24, 2021 at 8:53 AM Thanks bunches Victor. God Bless, JB