My attention was drawn this morning to a passage from Ecclesiastes chapter 9. The Teacher is discussing the wisdom of the poor man and how little attention is given to it because of its source. He then goes on to say in verse 17:

''Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard / Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.'' (NKJV)

''The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.'' (NASB)

''The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded / than the shouts of a ruler of fools.'' (NIV)

Although the verse varies slightly depending on the version, it seems clear that the one who is wise does not shout his wisdom from the tallest building, but rather speaks it softly to those willing to hear. In some ways, having spent most of my life in American Evangelicalism, this seemed like a foreign concept. Aren't things like picketing, protesting, politicizing, and propaganda part of the American (and thus Christian) way? In an age where Christian leaders hold rallies, appear on Larry King Live, and ask politicians to support their moral agenda, can it still be said that quiet words are better than shouting? Is the Teacher in Ecclesiastes correct, and if he is does that change how we do things? And it does seem that the Teacher's point is valid:

Who has had a greater impact on improving world health? Mother Teresa, selflessly serving amongst the sick and outcast in Calcutta or the politician spouting about the horrors of the American health care system in order to get votes while providing no real, viable solution?

Who has a greater impact on ending needless wars? The anonymous missionary working with both Jews and Muslims in the Middle East or the person who goes on CNN to bash the current Presidential administration (whether it be Republican or Democrat)?

Why was Martin Luther King, Jr. more effective in getting the U.S. Government to pass Civil Rights laws than Malcolm X was?

How was Mahatma Gandhi able to topple British control in India without picking up a weapon?

It seems that wisdom (and thus the ability to live wisely) is not something that can be passed along by shouting, protesting, or any other public spectacle. Instead it needs to be whispered and taught from one individual to another and proven by a life lived wisely.

If Christians want to pass along the God-given wisdom we (hopefully) have begun to attain, perhaps we need to get off our soapboxes and down on our knees. Perhaps we need to talk less and serve more. Perhaps we need to put down our megaphones so our hands are available to help those in need. After all, ''The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.''