Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
This proverb presents a paradox of appearance and perception: how silence, even from someone lacking wisdom, can give the impression of intelligence and self-control. It both warns and encourages: it warns against reckless speech and encourages the virtue of thoughtful restraint.
‘Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise.’ The first part delivers a surprising truth: a fool can appear wise simply by being silent. A person who lacks understanding, who might otherwise expose his folly by careless speech, can temporarily mask his ignorance by choosing not to speak.
This suggests that the act of silence itself carries a kind of dignity, even if the motive behind it isn’t rooted in true wisdom. People tend to associate measured speech and quiet presence with thoughtfulness, depth, and discernment. As long as the fool restrains his tongue, people may assume there is something thoughtful or contemplative about him, when in reality, his silence is his only wisdom.
It is also a caution: don’t be too quick to assume someone is wise just because they are quiet. Silence can be a cover for folly, but ironically, it still achieves a better result than talking foolishly. In short: better to be thought wise and remain silent, than to speak and remove all doubt (as a common paraphrase goes).
To be continued…
Living the Word 