In our age of political correctness, many whose occupation brings them close to a microphone on a frequent basis have adopted the supposed truism that "it doesn't make a difference what you think, all that counts is what you say." A silent bigot is a lover of man. A vocal bigot is the personification of evil.
What you have then is a bunch of politicians, media personnel and leaders in all areas who take special courses on how "not to say what you think, rather what is acceptable," and to "never ever verbalize your bigotry for there might be a secret recording device under your chair."
In recent years we have seen quite a few people falling from high places for saying the wrong things at the wrong time. Great careers have disintegrated thanks to "one weak moment." Many pundits and regular fellas are wondering whether people deserve to be pushed off the cliff for just that "one weak moment."
Really? One weak moment, is that all it was? How about "one weak lifetime"?And common sense screams: Really? One weak moment, is that all it was? How about "one weak lifetime," when for years and years the mind was allowed to swim in a cesspool of hate? Isn't it obvious that this wasn't a slip of a tongue, rather an avalanche of the mind?
In the Book of Deuteronomy we find several versus which begin with the words: "If you should say in your heart…"
If you should say in your heart: "These nations are more numerous than I; how can I dispossess them?" (7:17)
You will say in your heart: "My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth..." (8:17)
Moses is warning the Jews not to entertain feelings of fear and haughtiness in their heart. He warns them not of political correctness – "be careful what you say" – rather, "be careful what you think and feel." And the reason is obvious: a tongue doesn't have a mind of its own; it simply blurts out what sits in the mind. It is the two-year-old child who shares her parents' secret conversations with the world.
A tongue doesn't have a mind of its own; it simply blurts out what sits in the mindOur sages have coined the statement that a person should be "mouth and heart equal." It's not about what you say, as much as it is what you think.
The lesson from all of this?
Racism, hate, bigotry, and gossip should be deleted way before the words take the train to the microphone. For once they sit at the station of the mind it is too late; the train is about to come. And then, there is no turning back.
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