David, the Son of Jesse
Writing a God-inspired song of praise
In or near the land of Israel
10th-11th century B.C.
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth;
Keep the door of my lips.– Psalm 141:3
Solomon, a Son of David
Writing God’s wisdom in God’s words
Jerusalem
10th century B.C.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth,
And addeth learning to his lips.– Proverbs 16:23
The Apostle Paul
Writing God-given teaching to the church at Ephesus
From a prison in Rome
~62 A.D.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,
but that which is good to the use of edifying,
that it may minister grace unto the hearers.– Ephesians 4:29
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Caroline Ingalls
Writing to her daughter Laura
De Smet, Dakota Territory
November 15th, 1881
If wisdom’s ways you wisely seek,
Five things observe with care,
To whom you speak,
Of whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where.– Little Town on the Prairie
Wise words from the Scripture as well. Thanks for the reminder.
Hi, Mom. It’s obvious from the books that Laura’s Ma knew the Scriptures very well, and certainly tried to live by them. I don’t know if that was her own poem or one she picked up from somewhere else, but it certainly is built on Biblical truth. I could have added the verse from James about being “slow to speak” as well.