Notes Class 7 Chapter 3.6 English Balbharati Maharashtra Board

Think Before You Speak!

The chapter “Think Before You Speak!” is a lesson about the value of thinking carefully before we say anything.
It uses wisdom from great thinkers like Benjamin Disraeli (a famous British leader) and Socrates (an ancient Greek philosopher) to explain why we should be cautious with our words.
The main message is that words are powerful-once they are spoken, they cannot be undone, just like an arrow shot from a bow. This chapter encourages us to listen more, speak less, and choose our words wisely.

Listening More Than Speaking

Benjamin Disraeli’s Wisdom:
- He was a great British statesman who observed that humans have two ears but only one mouth.
- His quote: “Nature has endowed man with two ears and one mouth. If man was meant to talk more and listen less, he would have two mouths and only one ear.”
- This means nature designed us to listen twice as much as we speak.
Imagination Exercise:
- The chapter asks us to imagine how odd we would look with two mouths (one on each side of our face) and one ear in the middle. This funny picture reinforces the idea that listening is more important than talking.

How Words Leave Our Mouth

Ears vs. Mouth:
- Ears are like funnels-always open, with no way to shut them. We can’t stop hearing things around us.
- The mouth is different. To speak even one word, it has to pass through two barriers or “fences”:
  1. Teeth: The first row of defense, like a wall of soldiers.
  2. Lips: The second barrier that seals the word inside until we choose to let it out.
Why This Matters:
- These two “fences” are a natural reminder to pause and think at least twice before speaking. Words aren’t meant to come out easily-they need careful thought.

Unspoken Words vs. Spoken Words

Unspoken Words:
- These are thoughts that stay in your mind. You have full control over them because they haven’t been said aloud.
- Example: If you’re angry but don’t say anything, you’re still the “master” of those thoughts.
Spoken Words:
- Once you speak, the words leave your control. You become their “slave” because you can’t pull them back, no matter how hard you try.
- A wise man’s saying: “Of the unspoken word you are a master, of the spoken word, you are a slave.”
Key Lesson:
- Be cautious about what you say because spoken words are permanent. You can’t erase them or change them after they’re out.

The Story of the Young Man and His Teacher

The Problem:
- A young man spoke harsh and unkind words to his friend, hurting him deeply. He worried he had lost the friendship and asked his spiritual teacher for help.
The Teacher’s Task:
- Step 1: The teacher gave him a blank sheet of paper and a pen. He told the young man to write down all the harsh words he had said to his friend.
- Step 2: After writing, the teacher asked him to tear the paper into as many tiny pieces as possible. The young man turned the sheet into a hundred small bits.
- Step 3: The teacher then told him to throw the pieces out of the window on a windy day. The wind scattered the bits far and wide as the young man watched.
- Step 4: Finally, the teacher ordered him to go outside and collect all the pieces he could find.
The Result:
- The young man tried but came back empty-handed after half an hour. The wind had blown the pieces too far, and he couldn’t find even one.
The Teacher’s Lesson:
- “This is what happens with the spoken word. Once you have spoken the words aloud, it is very difficult to take them back. Therefore, learn to think before you speak in anger.”
Moral:
- Words are like the torn paper-once they’re out, they scatter and can’t be gathered back. This teaches us to control our tongue, especially when we’re upset.

Socrates’ Three Questions

Who Was Socrates?
- Socrates was a wise philosopher from ancient Greece who influenced many young people to live better lives.
His Advice:
- He told his students to keep their mouths shut and only speak when it’s absolutely necessary.
The Three Questions:
- When his students asked, “How do we know when to speak?” Socrates gave them three questions to ask themselves before speaking:
  1. Is it true?
    - Check if what you’re about to say is accurate. If you’re unsure or it’s a lie, don’t say it. Speaking untruths makes you a spreader of falsehoods.
  2. Is it pleasant?
    - Think about whether your words will hurt someone. Avoid saying mean or useless things just to pass the time or upset others.
  3. Is it useful?
    - Will your words help the listener? Can they bring comfort, solve a problem, or make someone’s day better? If not, keep quiet.
Rule:
- Only speak if the answer to all three questions is “yes.” If any answer is “no,” it’s better to stay silent.

Words have a big impact-they can build friendships or destroy them, help people or harm them.
We must think carefully before speaking because once words are said, they can’t be unsaid, just like the scattered paper bits.
Listening more and speaking less makes us wiser, kinder, and more thoughtful people.

“Nature has endowed man with two ears and one mouth.” – Benjamin Disraeli
- Meaning: Listen more, talk less-it’s how we’re naturally built.
“Of the unspoken word you are a master, of the spoken word, you are a slave.” – A wise man
- Meaning: You control thoughts, but spoken words control you.
“Open your mouths to speak only after you have asked yourself three questions, and received an affirmative answer to each of the three.” – Socrates
- Meaning: Be sure your words are true, kind, and helpful before speaking.

Endowed: Naturally given.
- Example: “She was endowed with a beautiful voice.”
Funnels: A shape wide at one end and narrow at the other, like ears.
- Example: “The funnel of his ear caught every sound.”
Utter: To say or speak aloud.
- Example: “He didn’t utter a single word during the meeting.”
Veracity: Truthfulness.
- Example: “We questioned the veracity of his story.”
Vain: Useless or empty.
- Example: “Her vain comments annoyed everyone.”
Transmitters: People or things that pass something on to others.
- Example: “Gossips are transmitters of rumors.”