"Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent"
fool
This is the Hebrew word ewil which means fool. In this study we have seen that the dominant characteristics of a fool are selfishness, impulsiveness, and rebellion along with a host of other tendencies like laziness and mocking. All people have these tendencies latent within them; it is just a matter of how much they pay attention to them.
silent
This is the Hebrew word charash which means to be silent, speechless, or unable to speak. The idea here is that Solomon is pointing out that when the fool avoids the impulse to say everything that jumps to their mind then they are considered to be wise. This is powerfully true. Your level of wisdom would go up powerfully in people's minds if you spent the day listening and asking questions rather than trying to express your opinion. This is what the fool does constantly; expresses their opinion before having all the facts.
Try just listening today and only open your mouth to ask questions.
prudent
This is the Hebrew word bin which means understanding, perceptive, prudent. This proverb focuses the attention on the perception of a fool. It goes up if the fool can keep their opinions to themselves. Others will think you much wiser than you are if you talk less and ask questions more.
You will learn far more and you will be thought of much higher if you develop the discipline of silence. Do not share your opinion as soon as you have one. Make sure that you have thought through your position. The world does not need to know what you think.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz