Loudmouths and Listeners
Today I read Proverbs 16 through 18, and one verse in particular caught my attention: "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions" (Proverbs 18:2).
That’s a sharp observation, and it doesn’t feel out of place in today’s world. Whether it’s online comment sections, cable news debates, or even everyday conversations, there’s a noticeable trend: people often speak more than they listen. I’m not exempt from this. There are times when I find myself crafting a response before the other person has even finished their thought.
Curiosity: The Missing Ingredient in Most Hot Takes
What’s interesting about this proverb is that it doesn’t just point to ignorance—it points to a lack of curiosity. It’s not saying the fool doesn’t understand; it’s saying they don’t even enjoy the process of understanding. That’s a different kind of issue. It’s a resistance to exploration, a preference for broadcasting over receiving.
I wonder what it takes to shift from speaking to understanding. Is it patience? Humility? Maybe it’s a comfort with being wrong or not having the final word. That’s a tough one. Especially in environments where identity and status are tied to having strong opinions, admitting uncertainty can feel like weakness.
Listen First, Talk Later (If You Must)
The proverb doesn’t give a solution, just an observation. But the structure of Proverbs as a whole—short, pithy, repeatable lines—makes me think that awareness might be the first step. If I can recognize the impulse to speak without listening, maybe I can interrupt it. Not always, but sometimes.
Reading this verse made me think about how often conversations become performances. There’s a subtle pressure to be clever, insightful, funny, persuasive. But that pressure works against actual connection or understanding. In that sense, this ancient text isn’t outdated; it’s uncomfortably current.
The Awkward Art of Actually Listening
What would it look like to approach conversations differently? Not to win, not to impress, but to understand? That’s not a rhetorical question—I really don’t know. But I’m paying more attention to when I’m listening and when I’m just waiting for my turn to talk. There’s a difference.
This verse doesn’t ask me to be silent. It doesn’t demonize opinions. But it does challenge me to think about what I find pleasure in: expressing myself or understanding others? I’m not sure it has to be one or the other, but there’s definitely a balance, and I often tip to one side.
So that’s what stayed with me today. Not a big conclusion. Just a small shift in awareness, and maybe a reminder to listen a little longer before I speak.