Look, Listen, and Learn

“He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame.”

~ Proverbs 18:13

“Most of us get so caught up in our own little worlds; we do not fully listen, see, or feel when we are in the presence of others. Beginning today, make it your daily goal to pay more attention to the people in your life. And don't just focus with your physical senses, but get your heart involved, as well. Not only will you be making those around you feel more valuable – which is always a good thing – you might be amazed by all you will learn.”

~ Kate Nowak, Live More Abundantly Productions

“How to get along with people: Keep skid chains on your tongue; always say less than you think. Cultivate a low, persuasive voice. How you say it counts more than what you say.”

~ Ann Landers, syndicated advice columnist

"Fear less, cherish more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, listen more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours."

~ Old Swedish Proverb

“Lord please give me the patience to listen, the courage to speak, the honor to follow, and the wisdom to lead.” ~ Author Unknown

“Many acts of service cost nothing and take little time: encouragement, compliments, listening, gratitude, and compassion. Anytime you affirm the worth of others, you serve.”

~ Chris Karcher

"The greatest gift we can give . . . is rapt attention to one another's existence."

~ Sue Atchley Ebaugh

“The opposite of talking is listening.” ~ Anonymous

"I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.”

~ Kahlil Gibran

“Listen, and your voice will be heard.” ~ Anonymous

"Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech."

~ Martin Fraquhar Tupper

“What people really need is a good listening to.”

~ Mary Lou Casey

“If I listen, I have the advantage; if I speak, others have it.” ~ Anonymous

“Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest.”

~ Shakespeare

“A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even- tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.”

~ Proverbs 17:27-28

"Listen, or thy tongue will keep thee deaf."

~ American Indian Proverb

"I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen. “

-Ernest Hemingway

"It takes a great man to be a good listener."

~ Calvin Coolidge

“Remember not only to say the right thing at the right time in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the wrong moment.”

~ Benjamin Franklin

“Wise men are not always silent, but they know when to be.”

~ Author Unknown

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UNSPOKEN WORDS
By Gale Rogers, Effingham (shared by permission)

Sometimes the strongest of words
are the words unspoken.
One may speak and never say or
remember what was said.

Two who know each other,
may be together and never utter a word.
yet they know,
just how the other does feel.

There is a closeness only they
can describe between them.
A bonding that
truly becomes so real.

The words not spoken
are never misunderstood;
they are never heard with disgust
or said in a contemptuous voice.

The unspoken word is felt
with the heart, rather
than heard with the ear
and always by choice.

The silence is shared
and it is accepted.
Creating a new understanding of
“Be still and know”.

**********

“Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.” ~ Anonymous

“God has given us two ears, but one tongue, to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak. God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips, to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue.”

~ Thomas Watson

“I said, I will take heed and guard my ways that I sin not with my tongue; I will muzzle my mouth as with a bridle. . . .”

~ Psalms 39:1