Proverbs 18:13
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He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
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Wisdom listens carefully, and answers slowly. A hasty response is neither intelligent nor wise - it is foolish and shameful. Comprehending accurately and answering rightly is far more important than answering quickly. You have two ears to hear, but only one mouth to speak; let these proportions dictate your emphasis. Be swift to hear, and slow to speak. Make sure you know every situation fully before making a judgment or giving an answer.
Are you a good listener? Wisdom listens well, because it must gather all the facts forming an explanation or impacting a situation. It must sort through and discard the details not affecting the matter and focus only on those that are important. The man already thinking about his answer, or worse yet, already talking, has foolishly cut short his gathering of information. He is a fool. You will meet many of them. Make sure you are not one!
Are you a slow speaker? Wisdom is careful, guarded, and reserved in giving of opinions. It knows that haste makes waste, especially in thinking and speaking. It knows that prudent analysis to circumspectly consider all angles is very important before speaking. It knows that the first thoughts may not be the best thoughts. It knows that wise men study to answer, but the mouths of wicked men pour out foolishness without studying (15:28).
Ahasuerus and Darius hastily approved wicked proposals. The first agreed to exterminate a people before knowing his wife was among them; the second condemned his most faithful aide to lions for the mere envy of his colleagues. And foolish Haman, if he had asked what Ahasuerus was reading, he might have toned down the parade for Mordecai!
Righteous judgment is not judging by appearance, but by substance (John 7:24). Only foolish men rush to judgment without all the facts, with merely suppositional evidence. Even the Jews and Romans, as quick and severe as their systems of justice were, allowed a man to speak for himself before judgment was passed (John 7:51; Acts 25:16; 26:1).
The man (or woman) who talks immediately, or who talks almost constantly, is a fool. You can find them easily. Listen to any conversation. The one answering before a matter is fully told, or answering without due deliberation, or answering frivolously or emotionally, is a fool. They say it plainly (Ec 5:3; 10:3). Make sure you are not like them.
Fewer words are better. Others will esteem you wise, even if you are not (17:27-28). And you will save yourself much sin (10:19; James 3:2). Quick speaking with slow hearing is folly (14:29; 29:20). Quick hearing with slow speaking is wisdom (James 1:19-20).
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