Smart or Wise?
A smart person knows what to say. A wise person knows when not to say it. (Source unknown)
We can all remember times when we couldn’t think of what to say. In a lively conversation or a private one-on-one counseling session, sometimes the words just don’t come. How frustrating! What’s even worse, however, is having a good answer in a given situation but not realizing that it’s not the right time or place to say it. That’s practical wisdom.
The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly (Ecclesiastes 12:10). The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking (Proverbs 15:28).