Proverbs 10:10 (ESV)
Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
There are many ways to communicate. Some studies teach us that the majority of our communication is with "non-verbal" communication. Some say up to 80% of our "speech" is non-speech. We often grunt, grown, jest with our eyes and curl our lips to show pleasure, pain and possible ideas. Others read these communicative devices and pick up signals. That is the point of the above proverb. A "wink of the eye" is a non-verbal statment that carries mischievous meaning and/or a vague intent. That "causes trouble." A "babbling fool" is another form of communication ... saying everything and nothing at the same time. So, non-verbal communication and non-meaningful speech can produce the same thing: Ruin and trouble. Void of message and absent truth produces disasters. To avoid such problems we have to say what we mean and what we mean needs to be said in truth. Don't wink and don't babble. Wisdom tells us to say what we mean and mean what we say. Don't communicate falsely. Paul said it this way, in regard to good communications:
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Notice how Solomon himself said it in a previous chapter when speaking of the fool:
Proverbs 6:12-15 (ESV)
A worthless person, a wicked man,
goes about with crooked speech,
winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,
points with his finger,
with perverted heart devises evil,
continually sowing discord;
therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;
in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.
Our non-verbals say much to the world around us. They probably reveal our heart quicker than our tongue. Be careful how you convey your thoughts. You may not realize what you are saying.
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