The Biblical Wisdom of Knowing When to STFU

"A wise man once said nothing at all." - Anon

The Red Pill offers men a collection of tools to use to remodel their life and build something greater in its place. Knowing what tool to use and when to use it separate the novice from the advanced craftsman. Few tools are as simple, or as important, as being able to STFU.

Most men today lack the self awareness or self control to stop running their mouths. These careless words begin to stack up. Statement by statement, brick by brick, they craft giant mental monuments that reveal their stupidity for all to see.

Odds are good that you are an idiot. I'm not trying to be a dick, but it's probably true. Modern man has suffered a low-key multi-generation lobotomy at the hands of the state and pop culture, leaving most living men mentally crippled mouth breathers. While you endeavor to apply some much needed triage to your atrophied grey matter, keep the following words in mind:

"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain

"When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." - Proverbs 10:19

This is not to say that you should remain entirely silent like an outcast mute, but rather you should be mindful of what you are saying and, more importantly, being aware of what you are saying says about you.

Men tend to fail to STFU when they are in the midst of a heated conversation. They get angry, they feel the need to 'win' the argument, or otherwise lose control over their temper. The Bible tells us that maintaining frame in these situations is highly valuable:

"Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." - Proverbs 16:32

"A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding keeps a cool head." - Proverbs 17:27

Keeping a cool head, remaining emotionally detached from a conversation, and holding frame is not only demonstration of big dick energy, but is the behavior of a wise man according to scripture.

"It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly only later to reconsider his vows." - Proverbs 20:25

"Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few." - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Men who don't know how or when to STFU often commit themselves to things they shouldn't or don't want to. Pressured for an answer, they agree to unfavorable plans. This is rash and unwise. You are well within your rights to take as long as you need to consider something fully before committing yourself. At the end of the day "No." is a complete sentence.

"The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools." - Ecclesiastes 9:17

"My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger" - John 1:19

A man who is sparing and measured with his words is a man who will be listened to when he does speak. Wise men aren't running their mouths all the time, like fools do, and people instinctively know this. This is basic economics: scarce goods tends to have greater value.

While learning when to STFU and when to speak is fundamental to all rookies, no one outgrows the need for the tool.

"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself." - Proverbs 26:5
"Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes." - Proverbs 26:6

Which is it? Do you STFU or answer the fool? It depends on a variety of factors, but the more one practices, the better they can navigate these situations successfully.

At the end of the day STFU is a simple tool. Hammers are also simple tools, but used incorrectly they can do more harm than good. Veterans and rookies alike are well served by honing their STFU skills.