Talk is cheap

Most of us have heard the phrase "actions speak louder than words."  It means that talk is cheap.  People who are predominantly talk have little or no substance to back it up but they sound like they know stuff.  Those driven by thought and action may have trouble expressing themselves adequately by talking because there's just too many thoughts running through their head to articulate them effectively.  They end up appearing "confused" or "incompetent."  In our post-Original-Sin society, the talkers predictably tend to get a great deal of respect while those who let actions speak for themselves are often judged unfairly.

People of action have substance to back themselves up, even if it is not always outwardly or verbally expressed in an effective manner.  They get to know people based upon what they do (hobbies, interests, activities, etc.), not how they express themselves.  They teach others how to live by their own example - living their lives as witnesses to the faith.  Their lessons may not be easily noticeable, but if they are noticed, they are very helpful and valuable.

People who are talkers often resort to nosy questions in an ineffective attempt to get to know people.  They ask about things like your age, your dating life, what you do for work, what kind of job you expect to get with THAT degree, etc.  Somehow the fact that they did not actually get to know the person does not stop them from giving unsolicited advice, often in a patronizing manner.  They do like to hear themselves talk.  These lessons are all too noticeable and often hurtful but generally not helpful.  As a matter of fact, their value is sometimes "less than nothing."

A person who is predominantly talk can be likened to a big beach mansion that's built, not behind the dune, but on top or in front of it for vanity purposes.  The beach house looks quite spectacular but lacks any real substance or support.  A person of action can be likened to a humble little bungalow whose concrete foundation is in full contact with a granite bedrock shelf.  The little bungalow may not be much to look at and its basement floor is not at all level where the granite shelf comes up.  But that little house is built to last.  What it lacks in appearance, it more than makes up for in functionality.  Where would you rather live?

Matthew 7: 21, 24-27