Proverbs 14:3-4 (ESV)
3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,
but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
In her pride, the foolish woman thinks that what she has to say is more important than the harm her words may create, and in the end, her speech brings trouble back upon her. The wise woman thoughtfully ponders whether or not she should speak what’s on her mind, and considers how others might be hurt or discouraged as a result of her communication. By doing this, she avoids unnecessary pain in her life and the lives of those around her. Without livestock, an animal feeding trough may remain clean, but it’s better to invest in taking care of oxen if a farmer wants to prosper. Great benefits result from the time and energy expended in a harvest. Do you neglect hard work because of the effort required to produce profitable results? Learn to appreciate the “mess” that comes with being productive by doing whatever you can to make the most of every opportunity you’ve been given.