Southern Christian Advocate

SWIFT AND SLOW.
How can we be both! Yet so the Bible commands us. Can a man be running swiftly and yet go slowly? Let us see what the Bible says.
"Let every man be SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK." This is plain. It is advice that suits not only "every man," but every child, and it is to them that I wish to apply it.
Be swift to hear every thing that is good and profitable. Do not turn away from those who would counsel you as to your conduct. Be always willing and ready to listen to the instructions of those who are older and more experienced than yourselves. Do not only give a civil attention, but be anxious to hear whatever may be said to you that is intended for your good. Sometimes I see a boy who will stand or sit quietly whilst I talk to him, and seems to hear every word I say; but I can tell by his eye and countenance that he would rather I should be silent, and the moment I have done, he starts off and gets as far from me as possible. Such a boy is slow to hear. He is not anxious to profit by the advice of those who are older than himself, and who know more about himself than he does. But when I see a boy or girl running to their father when he takes up a book to read to them; or dropping their playthings to listen eagerly to what some good person is saying; or willing to give up amusement to receive useful instruction in any branch of knowledge--such a child I at once conclude to be swift to hear.
But this is only half the text. If the child is swift to speak also, it spoils it all. If he is so inquisitive as to be always asking questions without waiting for answers, or thinking of them, his swiftness to hear is of no service. Trying to give instruction to such a youth is like pouring water into a funnel. Or if he is a babbler, and disposed to be constantly talking. He gives himself no time to think over what he has learned. And still worse if he undertakes to teach others what he knows nothing about himself, he will soon find that he is like a man who goes to market and leaves his money home. He has nothing, can get nothing, and can give nothing.
While, then, you are swift to hear, be slow to speak. Be modest. Remember that you are a learner; a child; that you have much to lay up and nothing to lose. When the wise and good are teaching, be slow to speak, or you may lose some good instruction, or they think that you do not wish to be taught. Learn the following sentences, which are taken from Jewish authors.
If a word is worth one shekel, silence is worth two.
Silence is the spice of speech, and the chief of all spices.
Be silent and hear.
Say little and do much.
The righteous speak little and do much. The wicked speak much and do nothing.--Youth's Friend.