THE POWER OF SAYING LESS

We live in an age of constant chatter. Words flow endlessly in conversations, on social media, in the news, yet much of it lacks depth, truth, or sincerity. This phenomenon, which can be rightly regarded as the “talking epidemic,” has become one of the most damaging habits of our time. It is not speech itself that is harmful, but the careless and thoughtless way we often use it.

Many people are quick to form opinions on things they do not truly understand. In itself, this might seem harmless, but when such careless remarks are spread around, they take on the appearance of truth. Soon, these unfounded statements are accepted thoughtlessly in some circles as knowledge. Once established, they persist stubbornly, influencing lives and decisions, even though no one can trace how they began. In this way, careless words often cause great harm, yet people continue to prattle, sometimes out of spite, vanity, idleness, or simply to be noticed.

This epidemic of empty talk is tied to the dominance of the intellect over the spirit. In chasing endless words, we drown out the quiet voice of intuition, which requires silence and inward stillness to flourish. True perception is weakened by superficial chatter. That is why, instinctively, we tend to place more trust in someone who speaks with restraint than in a prattler. Even without realising it, people sense that those who talk too much, especially on matters they do not grasp, cannot be trusted.

The tragedy is that prattlers often do not see the harm they cause. With their superficiality, they become destructive, sowing confusion, pain, and misunderstanding. In contrast, when our words are true and sincere, they carry light. Good words uplift both speaker and listener, creating threads of strength and blessing. By disciplining our speech, choosing to say only what is useful and meaningful, we store within ourselves the power of silence, a force that enriches our inner life and strengthens our presence in the world.

This does not mean we should become miserly with words. Human life requires communication, encouragement, teaching, and exchange. But it does mean we must avoid speaking superficially or without sincerity. Instead of wasting hours on idle chatter, let us cultivate noble silence and purposeful speech. In doing so, our words will hold weight, inspire confidence, and open doors to deeper understanding.

The talking epidemic pulls humanity downward into triviality. The noble silence of reflection and the sincerity of meaningful words lift us upward toward truth. Let us guard our tongues, turn our words into lamps of light, and never dismiss the shadows cast by careless chatter.