A second lesson I learned in High School that had little to do with classrooms or books was that mature people know when to shut up!

Immature people feel they must respond to everything, to always have the last word.   They believe that no conversation is complete until they have added their “two cents.”

Mature people understand that it is often better to be quiet and let something pass.  The mature understand that arguing with idiots is a waste of breath. 

Those who are quiet are usually those who are thought of as wise.  It is the blabbermouths who are believed to be foolish.

The wise consider their thoughts and measure their words carefully while the foolish blurt everything out without thought.

It is the immature that are constantly apologizing for their words or trying to remember their web of lies.

The immature feel a need to be heard while the wise are confident in who they are and have no need for approval of others.

The immature lie to impress others while the mature are truthful.  The immature allow their tongue to guide their life while the mature remain on the path of character and resolve.

The immature are empowered by what they think they know about others and use that knowledge to gain acceptance.

The immature boast about themselves and their abilities while the mature would rather act than talk.

James 1:26-27 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”  ESV

1 Peter 3:10-12 “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.  But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”ESV