Quick to listen, but slow to speak
and slow to become angry
and slow to become angry
A teacher of biology was beginning her class on the ability of man to
locate a source of sound based on the relative intensities of the sounds
received in the two ears.
To introduce the topic, to arouse interest in the students about the
topic and to assess their previous knowledge in the area, she asked a
simple question, “Why is man provided with two ears and not one? What is
the special advantage of having a pair of ears?”
The students thought deeply. Suddenly a smart little boy stood up and
answered, “Madam, that is to support the frame of the spectacles, in
case he needs one.”
It was an unexpected answer. He was witty but naughty. But the teacher
did not scold him. She joined the students and enjoyed the humour in the
answer. Then, by asking minor questions, she brought the students to the
correct concept and completed the class with competence.
God gave two ears to every man but only one mouth. This indirectly
indicates that he has to use the faculty of listening to a greater
extent than that of talking. We can solve many problems of our friends
by patiently listening to them. Counsellors use this principle in their
service.
It was once reported in the ‘Reader’s Digest’ that many persons consult
a doctor when all they want is an audience or a patient listener who
would listen to their problems with attention.
Pandit Motilal Nehru was the father of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the
first prime minister of India. Once Motilal Nehru went to Vienna to
consult a famous doctor who had specialised in respiratory diseases. He
had a translator to convey his message to the doctor. Motilal started to
explain in detail the history of his disease and the treatments he had
undergone. The doctor was impatient to listen to the patient’s long
narration. Exhibiting restlessness, the doctor asked Motilal to tell
quickly about his present problem without unnecessary description.
Motilal did not like the doctor’s behaviour. So he told that his only
problem at present was the impatience of the doctor. Hearing this, the
translator started to laugh.
When the doctor insisted, she conveyed the
comment of Motilal to the doctor. The doctor also joined the laughter
and soon the situation changed. The doctor patiently listened to the
patient’s complaints, examined him in detail and gave him the best
possible treatment.
Dale Carnegie, the renowned psychologist and counsellor advises in his
famous book, ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’, “Be a patient
and sympathetic listener.” A successful counsellor should be a good
listener and be genuinely interested in the other person and in matters
of his interest and should sincerely encourage him to talk about
himself, his worries and accomplishments. Then his problems will melt
away. Good listeners can console and counsel others easily. Then
evangelisation becomes efficient and effective.
Apostle James advises, “Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry"