Monday, February 15, 2010

February Writing Prompt

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." Abraham Lincoln

What does this quote bring to mind? That time you stuck your foot in your mouth? Oh, pardon me, that couldn't have been you, that time I stuck my foot in my mouth? :) It makes me wonder what prompted Mr. Lincoln to speak it out loud. He must have had his patience tried that day. 

For February's writing prompt, use whatever this quote brings to mind for a flash fiction or a non-fiction story. Or, use it as the opening line or in the body of the story. The choice is yours, and we'll get ready to be dazzled by your fiction greatness! No, really, I'm serious. I am sure it will be great, and great fun if you decide to let me share it here. No pressure of course. Write away!

Happy Writing, and Blessings to you:)

24 comments :

  1. Hi Karen, that's a good one and also tough, not that I do not put my foot in my mouth on a regular basis but to put it down on paper, not my foot but my hand, or should that be my mouth, you know what I mean!
    Will give it a go. Have a lovely day. Bless you. xxx

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  2. Raymonde,
    I was hoping that you'd give this one a try! Looking forward to reading it.
    Bless you too.
    Karen

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  3. One thing I love about my characters is that often they have the gumption to say what I withhold. Sometimes they come across the fool (and of course I never do :D ).
    ~ Wendy

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  4. Wendy,
    Ah yes, we can live vicariously through our characters. That's one great perk to writing!
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  5. That's a great quote. Makes me think of putting my foot in my mouth, too!

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  6. Jennifer,
    I agree! Thanks so much for coming by:)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  7. Karen,
    can you BELIEVE the scriptures I just wrote in my journal, hoping to press them into my noggin, were:

    Psalm 120, 2-4 (inserting my name for the generic "them" and you, and 1 Thessalonians 4:11???

    GREAT post and continued food for thought!!
    Patti

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  8. Karen,
    This is one of my favorite quotes! I never knew to attribute it to Abe Lincoln. I thought it to be some sort of Swedish proverb or something like that.

    I love to compare the quote to Prov. 17:28 which says "Even a fool when he keeps silent is considered wise."

    When I am unsure whether to speak or keep silent, I allow God to bring to mind that verse OR Col. 4:6 "Let your speech always be with grace ... so you know how to respond." Then I am confident to speak up or just to keep my thoughts between me and the Lord. During my long commutes when I worked in NYC, I often faced this dilemma of speak or keep silent, and God always provided one of these 2 Scriptures to guide me.

    And it was my pleasure to mention your blog. In fact, I couldn't NOT mention it!

    It's been a sweet blessing following your blog.
    Susan

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  9. This quote always makes me smile and then sigh. I'm sighing now.

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  10. Patti,
    Yes, I can believe it! The Lord has a way of reinforcing these things for us, doesn't He? He has a good sense of humor too. I was reading Proverbs 15 earlier and felt the same way; there's much about our words there too.
    Blessings!
    Karen

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  11. Susan P.,
    I know, this is one of my favorites too. There are so many scriptures to back this quote up. Good words to heed. Thanks again for the mention on your blog. Appreciate you coming around today too!
    Karen

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  12. Cassandra,
    I know what you mean. My aim for 2010 is to speak less, and when doing so, speak more prudently.

    Nice to see you here. Thanks for coming by!
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  13. I always try to remember this quote before I speak. Rarely works. :0)

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  14. Kristen.
    LOL! I know what you mean. have had plenty of these moments.
    Thanks for coming by.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  15. Hi Karen -

    I find Lincoln one of our most inspiring presidents. Our early history is filled with Biblical references even if they are not identified as such.

    Perhaps Lincoln rephrased the quote many have used here. People of his day would easily have recognized where he got his words.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  16. Susan R.,
    I find him inspiring too. I think that you are correct. Many people used the Bible as a standard back then, whether they were true believers or not.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  17. Eileen,
    Amen:)
    Blessings to you,
    Karen

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  18. I love that Lincoln quote and there are many times I wish I would have remained silent.

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  19. Amy,
    Nice to meet you! I hear you, there are plenty of times I should have kept my mouth shut:)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  20. I wish I had the time to write something but it is 6:15 in the morning and I am getting ready for work! But I will surly be thinking about this quote as I go out today and am around so many new people:)

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  21. Terri,
    Thanks for thinking of me and stopping by! Hope you have a wonderful day.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  22. Oh boy, that brings back memories. A certain someone use to quote me that back in the day. LOL I believe there's a similar verse in the Bible too. :-)

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  23. Jessica,
    That is one to remember, but hopefully we can avoid putting our foot in our mouth...
    Thanks for coming by,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!