Look Before You Leap; Think Before You Speak

These are very common expressions which I’m sure you’ve heard of often enough. But have you really thought about what they actually mean?

Look before you leap
It may seem like common sense to look at where you’re heading but many people are just not doing that. The number of accidents is testimony to that fact. If they could just practice this ‘look before leaping’ habit I’m sure the accident rate will be greatly reduced. Many people just do not consider carefully before they take a certain action. Perhaps it’s due their folly, indifference, carelessness or whatever. We need to change

that.

Think before you speak
There’s a saying in Chinese which goes like this: “You can anyhow eat things but you cannot anyhow say things.” Hurting others’ feelings can lead to long term animosity and hatred. People, especially sensitive people, will bear these grudges for a long time. They may forgive but will never forget. So watch your words and consider with utmost care what you want to say. Choose your words properly.

Make it a habit, practice this often and soon it will be second nature to you. Remember that words once uttered can never be retracted. The key to good communication is always to listen carefully before you speak. Analyze and ponder on what the other person is saying and think before you say anything. Go through in your mind and see if what you say will be offensive or hurting to the other party. If people will take the effort to think before they act I believe it will save them a lot of headache and heartache. This would indeed be a better world for all of us.

Are there any other similar expressions which you can think of besides these two? Perhaps you would like to share them if you have.