The Wisdom of Quiet Strength

Those Who Know Little Are Often the Noisiest.

There is a strange irony that echoes throughout history: often, the ones who know the least speak the loudest. Whether in meetings, online debates, or even church pews, noise is not always a sign of wisdom, it is often the opposite.

The Bible does not sugarcoat the nature of a fool. In fact, Proverbs 18:2 says, “A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions” This is perhaps the clearest connection to our original quote.

They crave attention, not insight.

Contrast that with James 3:17, which says, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.” Wisdom is quiet. It does not demand the stage. It does not bulldoze a conversation. Instead, it listens deeply, responds gently, and reflects intentionally.

Jesus Himself modeled this wisdom. Though He held all knowledge and authority, He often chose silence. When accused before Pilate, He “But he didn’t answer him on even one charge, so that the governor was quite amazed.” (Matthew 27:14).

My Father, A True Model of Wisdom Through Quiet Strength

I was blessed to have a model of wisdom growing up: my dad. He was incredibly sharp. He graduated high school at sixteen and went straight into the workforce. He built a mail‑order gourmet food and appliance company that grew to have locations across the country. Though he traveled often, he never missed a baseball game. Whether he was coaching or standing behind the backstop, he was always watching, ready to hear my debrief.

He was the perfect balance of love and accountability. He showed up, spoke truth, and taught me just as much through his mistakes as he did through his wisdom. He was my dad, my mentor, my friend, and the one who listened when leadership felt heavy on my shoulders as a young man. I looked up to him.

He was not perfect, but he was present. He loved his family. I looked up to him. He was patient and if anyone knows me, I asked him a lot of questions (the blessing and wisdom my mom has taught me). He was not perfect, but he loved his family. He loved me.

My dad had a quiet strength that spoke louder than any noise in the room. Innocently, as a kid, I remember asking him why he is quiet around people, and he would just smile and say, “Frankie, when I speak, I make sure I am right. It is not the number of times you speak but when and what you say. Get a hit every time you speak, and you will be in the Hall of Fame.”

Dad always spoke to me in baseball terms; he knew my language. And while it may not be considered an official “love language,” it should be. Because that is how he connected with me, shaped me, and taught me that wisdom is not about sounding smart. It is about saying the right thing at the right time. For the right reasons.

That principle has followed me into boardrooms, tough conversations, and leadership decisions. It has followed me in my family and marriage. Again, I am not perfect but his voice sticks in my head paraphrasing “Say less. Listen more. Make it count.”

The Room Full of Experts

Years ago, a young executive was invited to sit in on a high-level board meeting. It was a rare opportunity, and he was eager to impress. As the meeting began, he jumped in frequently, offering ideas, challenging statements, quoting data he had memorized the night before. He was articulate, energetic, and loud.

At the end of the meeting, the CEO, an older man who had barely spoken, pulled him aside. The executive prepared himself for praise. Instead, the CEO said gently, “I know you are smart. But if you really want to grow, learn to speak less and listen more. You are not here to prove you are smart. You are here to become wise.”

That CEO had barely spoken during the meeting, but when he did, everyone leaned in. Why? Because wisdom does not need to raise its voice to be heard.

That young executive later admitted it was the most important lesson he ever learned, and the beginning of his transformation from a noisy novice to a thoughtful leader.

Noise Is Not Power

In a world filled with opinions, platforms, and posts, it is easy to confuse volume with value. But wisdom is rarely found in the loudest voice.

Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—discerning, when he seals his lips.” The ability to stay quiet when tempted to speak is not weakness, it is wisdom.

Jesus calls us to be people of depth, not noise. And that means learning to hold back our words until they are anchored in truth. It means trading quick opinions for slow understanding. It means realizing that just because we can speak does not mean we should.

So, the next time you find yourself in a room, a conversation, or a conflict—pause.

Listen first.

Let your words come from wisdom, not insecurity. Not from pride. Not from competing with others. Because those who know the most often speak the least. And their silence speaks volumes.

And to my dad—thank you. I miss you more than words can imagine. I know you are soaking up the Wisdom in Heaven with worshiping our Savior. You may not have known it, but every baseball phrase you gave me was planting seeds of wisdom. I am still learning when to swing, when to take a pitch, and how to make every word count.

Thought Provoking Questions

• Do I speak to be heard, or do I speak because I have something worth saying? – What drives your voice—validation or value?

• What would happen if I paused long enough to let wisdom form before I replied? – Could silence be the space where growth begins?

• Whose voice have I been too quick to speak over, when I should have been listening? – Sometimes wisdom begins with humility, not words. Am I willing?