Proverbs 29:20

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: 

Proverbs 29:20 (ESV)

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

It sometimes is not what we say as much as how fast we say it.   Hasty words are just as dangerous as wrong words.  It may be, however, that Solomon is telling us the combination of the two (wrong words and hasty words) are dangerous and leave very little hope for the one caught in such a speech pattern.   A fool has more hope than such a speaker and, in Proverbs, a fool has no hope at all.   So, quick and hasty speech are to be avoided.   The concept of "hasty" speech is dangerous (and maybe more so than the saying the wrong thing) because even the right words at the wrong time can wound.  We read in other places in Proverbs to be careful about speaking to someone who is hurting.  Even a kind word to a hurting heart can be harmful.  We are to be careful with our timing as much as the temperament of of our words.  Let's make sure we are slowing our speech to say not what pops into our minds but what is good for the hearers heart.   Be hasty to guard your speech.  Less words are better and measured words are best.