In the Book of Proverbs, we read: “Whoever belittles his neighbour lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered” (11:12-13). Then, in 29: 20 we read: “If you see a man hasty in speech there is more hope for a fool than for him.” This warning about uncontrolled talking is always timely, and it fits in with the powerful statements of St James, who wrote:
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. (3:1-10)
Note how St James, just like King Solomon, draws wisdom from a contemplation of the world of nature, and then makes a most important point: that the tongue cannot be tamed unless the whole man is disciplined. Likewise, the Book of Proverbs says that: “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honour.” (15:32-33)
There are, once more, real connections between Old and New Testament books. Let us explore what both St James and Solomon have said: humility, awareness of our nothingness before God, is the start. Etymologically, to be humble is to be down to earth, and also to grow up, gradually, from the ground towards the heavens. Being humble is consistent with aspiration: indeed, to be humble leads to the desire for heaven and the beatific vision because the basis of humility is awareness of the transcendent greatness of God.
To put it another way, the humble man looks up to God but the proud man looks down on his brethren. Humility brings honour, that is, the ability to stand blameless among men, such that those who take cognizance of the humble man are moved to admire his unassuming devotion to God.
This is a connection with the Book of Ecclesiastes, where the dominant theme is the contrast between life under the sun and life with God, beyond the sun and beyond all time.