We've Had Enough Of Loquacious Imbeciles
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
14 November 2024
Nowadays, I'm on a reading spree, devouring every word spoken and written by the Persian mystics and simultaneously reading American literature. Robert Frost, T S Eliot, John Updike, John Steinbeck, William Faulkner among others have been my favourite American poets and writers. One of the famous observations of Frost is etched in my mind: "Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it."
Robert Frost's quote, "Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it," aptly captures an aspect of human nature and communication.
Within society, there exists a dichotomy between those who possess genuine thoughts, experiences, and opinions, yet struggle to effectively express themselves, and those who incessantly chatter without offering any substantial contribution.
This thought-provoking quote highlights the imbalance between insightful individuals who yearn for a platform to share their valuable insights and those who use speech as a means of self-gratification, lacking depth or significance. It serves as a reminder that the quality of our communication holds far greater importance than sheer quantity, urging us to listen attentively to those who have something meaningful to say while dismissing empty rhetoric.
Urdu poet Yaas Yagana Changezi aptly said, "Kahne Ko Paas Jin Ke Nahin Kuchh / Lagta Hai Majma Unhin Ki Mahafilon Mein" (Those who've nothing worthwhile to say/ Are often the crowd-pullers). This is the biggest irony.
Those who play to the gallery and are glib talkers, like some of our leaders and politicians across the political spectrum, vindicate the Hindi adage, "Bolne Wale Ke Chane Bhi Bik Jaate Hain, Nahin Bolne Wale Ke Moti Bhi Nahin Bikte" (Talkers can sell their chickpeas but those who don't speak, can't even sell their pearls).
Currencies make little sound whereas coins are noisy. The world has suffered more by the (quizzical) silence of those who could have spoken but chose to keep mum.
When Hindus are being bullied and persecuted in the neighbouring Bangladesh, the proud Hindu leader, who's otherwise quite garrulous and who happens to be the PM of India, is enigmatically silent and looks askance.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr. put it so brilliantly, " In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." We've demagogues by a dime a dozen who constantly talk through their hats.
We need people who've substance and who could also speak fearlessly like Allama Iqbal, "Ye Dastoor-e-Zuban Bandi Hai Kaisa Teri Mahfil Mein/ Yahan To Baat Karne Ko Tarasti Hai Zubaan Meri" (Why does this custom of silencing exist in your assembly? My tongue is tantalized to talk in this assembly). We've had enough of loquacious imbeciles. We need laconic individuals who speak less but talk sense.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/loquacious-imbeciles-enough/d/134024
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