Get Your Premium Membership

Speak Little, Hear Much

Poet's Notes
(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Judy Ball.


 "Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understeanding."                                                                                                                                                     Proverbs 17:28

Speak little and hear much, For words can get you in trouble. Too many words confuses things, And then your problems can double. Some people talk to show friendliness, And some to be entertaining; And some to show how much they know, But talk can tend to be straining; For too much talk can get on your nerves, 'Cause everyone needs peace and quiet.\ A steady drone like bees in a hive, Isn't good as a steady diet. Everyone likes a quiet man, Who shows courtesy and listens well, One who is pleased to hear what they say, But that which he hears he won't tell; For a wise man knows when to speak and when not, And doesn't run off at the mouth. He knows the less said is the best, as they say, For words are oft turned 'round about; So keep to yourself the things that you know, Or your praises will not be sung. You'll gain more friends and be more at peace, By simply holding your tongue.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 8/27/2020 7:41:00 PM
Very impressive write Judy, wise words usually come when we listen to wise people, if we surround ourselves with fools well then.... Enjoyed!
Login to Reply
Date: 8/24/2020 7:52:00 PM
This is a a great poem, with really good rhyme scheme. So true, you nailed it.
Login to Reply
Ball Avatar
Judy Ball
Date: 8/25/2020 4:11:00 AM
Thank you so much Carol. God Bless, JB
Date: 8/16/2020 7:57:00 PM
Wise words, Judy, so poetically expressed. Superb message and delivery. ('My father raised me amongst wise men, and I never heard anything better than silence.' ~ R. Shimon ben Gamliel, Ethics of the Fathers, 1:16). Brevity, not Bombast, Gershon
Login to Reply
Date: 8/13/2020 6:20:00 PM
Love to see this posted on the wall of every library as another reason why, 'Silence is Golden' excellent poetry Judy.
Login to Reply
Date: 8/13/2020 5:05:00 PM
Wise words, sometimes we just need the silence.
Login to Reply
Date: 8/13/2020 2:13:00 PM
Listening beats yacking all the tome. Friends are good listeners. Well said rotten, Judy, Forever, Pangie
Login to Reply
Date: 8/8/2020 8:57:00 PM
Hello Judy ... a very wise poem indeed to heed. I heard somewhere, we have been given two ears and one mouth for a reason - thank you Judy - Lindsay
Login to Reply
Date: 8/6/2020 1:41:00 PM
Yours are wise words, Judy! Some people love listening to the sound of their voice...good thing I'm a patient listener:) Best regards // paul
Login to Reply
Date: 8/6/2020 10:26:00 AM
Oh yes, how right you are my friend, there are some, that you can't get a word in edgewise and they tend to become so boring, give others a chance to say a word or two- they are arrogant and have an ego as well, but it actually says they have low esteem of themselves most times. Such a lovely poem, well penned Judy my friend, Blessings and hugs, Jennifer.
Login to Reply
Date: 8/5/2020 2:49:00 PM
Lovely penning Judy, good imagery and insightful thought too. I love your final stanza as it says it all. Blessings always,Gordon
Login to Reply
Date: 8/4/2020 4:06:00 PM
More pearls of wisdom from you, dear friend. Well done!
Login to Reply
Date: 8/4/2020 2:31:00 PM
Well thought out and scribed! The Chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe once asked me why I avoided Anglos, and I answered, "Because they all talk more than I want to listen!" (Apaches do not speak unless they have something to say whereas Anglos usually consider silence a void to be filled). Aloha! Rico
Login to Reply
Ball Avatar
Judy Ball
Date: 8/4/2020 3:41:00 PM
Thanks bunches Rico. The Bible tells us that a wise man keeps silent and is thought a fool, a fool opens his mouth wide and removes all doubt. That's found in the book of Proverbs. God Bless, JB
Date: 8/4/2020 2:14:00 PM
I agree and the silent one is the master of this :)
Login to Reply
Ball Avatar
Judy Ball
Date: 8/4/2020 3:33:00 PM
Thank you so much my silent friend. I thought you might especially like this one. ;) God Bless, JB
Date: 8/4/2020 12:40:00 PM
Hello Judy Ball , I agree with these words. Enjoy your day my friend.
Login to Reply
De Beaulieu Avatar
Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 8/5/2020 9:39:00 AM
Hello Judy God bless you to. enjoy ytour day my friend.
Ball Avatar
Judy Ball
Date: 8/4/2020 1:05:00 PM
Thank you so much Darlene. God Bless, JB
Date: 8/4/2020 12:05:00 PM
This is beautifully written and also very true, Judy. "Listening" is often a greater skill than speaking. I spent years on my college speech and debate team, but what I remember most are the words other students shared. Definitely a fave for me. Hugs, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Ball Avatar
Judy Ball
Date: 8/4/2020 12:09:00 PM
Thank you so much Carolyn. God Bless, JB

Book: Shattered Sighs