Left Unsaid

“For a marriage to have any chance, every day at least six things should go unsaid.”
—Unknown

When I encountered that anonymous citation, my first thought was a question: “What are the six things that should go unsaid?” But none were attached. They weren’t anywhere to be found. And then it dawned on me.

It’s not that there are six particular things that one should learn to be careful to avoid saying. Rather, pick a half-dozen things that you already know are not helpful to say, and don’t say them—little corrections, little jabs, little complaints, needless repetitions, griping, sniping, gossip, doubts.

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!—Psalm 141:3