An Economic Accounting of Think Before You Speak
"The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted 30 years of his life." - Muhammad Ali
I have often heard it said through the course of my years from a very young age, "Think before you speak." When I hear that I have an intuitive idea that it refers to what I say has an effect on the recipient of my words. Rarely do I think about the meaning and effect such words uttered from my mouth and voice might have on me. While reading from the book referenced below, I came to reflect on an economic accounting of "think before you speak."
Reference: from the book, Standing by Words, by Wendell Berry, from chapter two.
My concern is for the accountability of language—hence, for the accountability of the users of language. To deal with this matter I will use a pair of economic concepts: internal accounting , which considers costs and benefits in reference only to the interest of the money-making enterprise itself; and external accourting , which considers the costs and benefits to the “larger community.” By altering the application of these terms a little, any statement may be said to account well or poorly for what is going on inside the speaker, or outside him, or both.
It will be found, I believe, that the accounting will be poor—incomprehensible or unreliable—if it attempts to be purely internal or purely external. One of the primary obligations of language is to connect and balance the two kinds of accounting.
And so, in trying to understand the degeneracy of language, it is necessary to examine, not one kind of unaccountability, but two complementary kinds. There is language that is diminished by subjectivity, which ends in meaninglessness. But that kind of language rarely exists alone (or so I believe), but is accompanied, in a complex relationship of both cause and effect, by a language diminished by objectivity, or so-called objectivity (inordinate or irresponsible ambition), which ends in confusion.
Think before you speak.
In summary then, I now take an accounting of this passage and reflect on how my words can effect me, those to whom I speak directly, and those who may hear them indirectly.
Think Before you speak.
To come to an understanding of how my words effect me and the recipient, I will use an actual example of my professional work at the beginning of a project: the time and moments between the project lead and how I can address my interest in either accepting or rejecting the pursuit of the project. I now consider the pros and cons and benefits of a potential project, both for myself and for the person(s) I would be addressing, before delivering my message. I consider how either of my choices, to pursue or not pursue the project, can be spoken to the highest and best benefit to both/all of us. My conscientious consideration of how my words and how I deliver them can affect both sides, I ask myself before speaking, "How will my words effect us both/all for the greatest good and benefit?" There is, at once, a lot to consider. Here are a few of the considerations:
- Be sure not to waste time coming to a decision.
- If I am interested in the project, cover general terms, conditions and pricing immediately.
- If I reject the project, review my resources to offer other possible options for my prospect to consider.
Considering these and other aspects of my decision and the words I use to convey my choice, my ultimate goal is deliver the best value possible either way.
Think Before You Speak.
Good Day!