He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
Ver. 13. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it.] Solomon had said before, that "even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise," Pro 17:28 and in many passages of this blessed book he sets forth that a great part of man's wisdom is shown in his words. To be too forward to answer, before the question be fully propounded or expounded is rash, if not proud boldness, and reflects shame upon them that do it. Likewise to be "slow to hear, swift to speak," - hath not God given us two ears, and one tongue, to teach us better? - to precipitate a censure, or pass sentence before both parties be heard, to speak evil of the things that a man knows not, or weakly and insufficiently to defend that which is good against a subtle adversary; Augustine professeth this was it that hardened him; and made him to triumph in his former manicheeism, that he met with feeble opponents, and such as his nimble wit was easily able to overturn. Oecolampadius said of Carolostadius, that he had a good cause, but wanted shoulders to support it.