Proverbs 18:13

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight into how to answer someone: 

Proverbs 18:13 (NASBStr)

He who gives an answer before he hears,

It is folly and shame to him.

Proverbs 18:13 (KJV)

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 18:13 (ESV)

If one gives an answer before he hears,

it is his folly and shame.

It is very tempting to tell people what you think, or to answer a question before you actually know all the facets.  That is the plight of every extrovert on the earth.   We love to talk before we think.   When someone with "sage-like" qualities speaks profoundly on a subject they have been asked about, the above proverb can often play into his eloquence.   Solomon is warning us about the plight of those who are asked a question and, rather than think it over and investigate it, simply respond, often without fact or historical context.  Solomon must have learned this wisdom from God by his experiences.  People came from all of the world to seek his wisdom.  They would come baring many gifts.  He would be expected to tell them something wise and profound.  Think of the pressure on him.   He had learned, apparently, that these answers weren't wise if he didn't have the information.   That meant he was not wise, but a fool.   It is unwise and shameful to answer something until you hear all the facts.   Note what Solomon has already said:

Proverbs 17:27-28 (NASBStr)

He who restrains his words has knowledge,

And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;

When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

Silence is often misunderstood in our society.  It shows lack of "depth" or "lacking the ability to think on your feet" or "disinterested or dull."   But, speaking for the sake of speaking and pontificating just to pontificate is not wise.   It is better to be silent until you hear the whole thing than to talk and respond with half knowledge. It shows you have half wise ... but a whole fool.