Gracious Words and Foolish Tongues

Ecclesiastes 10:12 speaks of the power of wise speech:  "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself." In the art, the tree on the mountain, bathed in a warm glow, symbolizes the graciousness of wise words—rooted in knowledge and blossoming into something beautiful. On the other hand, the swirling, chaotic patterns in the background symbolize the self-destruction caused by foolish words. Just as the fool's lips "swallow up himself," these twisting designs convey the consuming nature of reckless speech.  

Ecclesiastes 10:13 continues:  "The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness." The image of a book, partially opened at the top of the artwork, reflects the duality of beginnings and endings. In life, what may start as a small, careless word or idea can evolve into chaos, just as depicted in the art's layered mandalas. The soft beginning of a story (or speech) can rapidly transform into intricate patterns of confusion and harm if not guided by wisdom.  

Ecclesiastes 10:14 adds:  "A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?" This line is reflected in the overwhelming complexity of the patterns behind the central image. The repeating, infinite designs reflect the unending nature of a fool's speech—full of empty words, without purpose, leading nowhere. The artwork conveys the futility of speaking without knowledge or wisdom, as represented by the boundless, swirling geometry that ultimately leads to nothing but confusion.  

This biblical wisdom translates to the modern world, particularly in the digital age where words are more powerful and far-reaching than ever. On the internet, hasty, unwise words can lead to great harm, spreading rapidly and causing confusion or destruction. Ecclesiastes reminds us to measure our words with wisdom, ensuring they are constructive rather than destructive. The floating book in the artwork serves as a reminder of the power of knowledge, and the mandalas show that without careful thought, speech can devolve into complexity and chaos.  

In life and online, these lines encourage us to pause and reflect on the value of thoughtful speech. They warn against the dangers of reckless talk and remind us that wisdom, when spoken, creates beauty and harmony, just like the radiant tree at the heart of the artwork.