“Talk less; smile more.”

Hopefully, you recognize the reference to Hamilton, but regardless I want to point out two verses from Proverbs that I find particularly relevant for navigating the world and the workplace. They’re helpful reminders to me.

Proverbs 10:19 — When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 12:18 — There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

In Hamilton, the advice “talk less; smile more” was, of course, spoken by “the villain in your history.” But the line is an important and memorable one in the musical because it’s a mix of truth and error in the way it is intended and applied.

The quotes from Proverbs highlight true aspects of Burr’s words.

I continue this line of thought in the next post.