Friday, February 1, 2013

WISE WORDS

WISE WORDS

                             A teacher placed three similar models of a man and a flexible wire near them on a table. He then asked his students to examine the models and identify the one which represents the best human nature. The students studied the models for a long time. One of them found that there were holes in the ears and mouth of every model. He introduced the flexible wire into the perforations in each ear of the three models. They gave different results.
                            The wire introduced into either ear of the first model came out through its other ear.  The wire that went through either ear of the second model came out through its mouth. The wire introduced into the ears of the third model entered the head but did not come out. The boy interpreted the observations intelligently. The teacher was impressed by his interpretations and his colleagues were enlightened.
                           The first model represents an indifferent man. He hears much but does not retain anything in his mind. He fails to benefit from the words of others. He makes no contribution to others.
                           The second model is of a talkative person who talks without sense about everything he hears. He does not exercise any restraint and so may talk unnecessarily and end in trouble. He may talk ill of others and spread gossips without verifying the truth in what he hears from others. Without a judicious and intelligent control of his words and opinions he is sure to create enemies and harm the reputation of others around him. Words can be like swords and wound others.
                          The third person gathers information from his surroundings but intelligently analyses the data and speaks out only what is essential and true. He will not hurt the feelings of others by his words. He will be acceptable to all. He will be a peace-maker. If necessary, he may correct others  with his wise words, without wounding them.
                         "It is foolish to speak scornfully of others. If you are sensible, you will keep quiet. No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy" {Proverbs 11: 12, 13}.
                           St. Paul advises, "Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you" {Ephesians 4: 29}. "Your speech should always be pleasant and interesting, and you should know how to give the right answer to everyone" {Colossians 4: 6}.
                           St. James teaches, "Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame! And the tongue is like a fire" {James 3: 5,6}.
                           The Psalmist prays, "May my words and my thought be acceptable to you, O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer"{Psalms 19: 14}. "Lord, place a guard at my mouth, a sentry at the door of my lips" {Psalms 141: 3}.
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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally,  Leo. S. John and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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