Dangers of a Thoughtless Word
Before I speak I shall think carefully so that I say nothing which may displease God. I will try not to say a word that is unnecessary, useless, or not directed to this honest end. (OOCC, X, p. 541; STA, 104)
True speech comes out of a reflective mind. Sensible speech calls for sound thinking. An unreflective mind produces only useless rambling and gossip. In reflection, a person truly listens and comes in contact with his depth dimension. Such a listening is very essential to utter a meaningful word. A thoughtless person is unable to enter within his inner self and incapable of listening to his true self. Hence, he fails to communicate a speech that comes out of true reflection. A thoughtless word can hurt people, bring discord within the community, lead to unnecessary quarrels and bring about the breakdown of relationship among people, thereby leading one to displease God and the human person. Also, a thoughtless person often has to regret his thoughtless speech. St. Vincent Pallotti realized the dangers of a thoughtless word. He was a man of reflection. He always took time to reflect before he spoke anything. He knew what he should say, and said only what he thought he should say. His speech and actions emerged from his reflection. St. Vincent never said anything that displeased God. Similarly, he avoided all unnecessary and useless speech because often they brought disunity and disruption within the community and destroyed personal relationships. His speech was always directed to the honest end.
Am I a reflective person? Does my speech come out of a genuine reflection? Do I destroy relationships by a careless word? Do I bring disorder within the community by my thoughtless word? Do I displease God with my speech? Is my speech always directed towards an honest end?
A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks, and suffers the consequences. (Prov. 27: 12)