Fewer Words

There’s an old proverb:

When you speak, let your words be better than silence.

We live in a time of almost constant commentary. We explain ourselves. Defend ourselves. Announce what we believe, what we value, what we oppose, what we’re becoming.

So many words.

And yet, I wonder if a well-lived life eventually makes some of them unnecessary.

Maybe kindness doesn’t need to tell anyone it is kind.

Maybe generosity doesn’t need a press release.

Maybe wisdom doesn’t need to win the argument.

Maybe love doesn’t need to explain itself.

There comes a point when the fruit says enough about the tree.

I’m getting that sense that part of growing older is becoming less interested in telling people who we are and more interested in simply becoming it.

Because if our lives are speaking clearly enough, perhaps we don’t have to say much at all.

And when we do speak—

may our words be better than silence.