Engage the Mind More, Engage the Tongue Less

Everyone should train their mind more and wag their tongue less. Exercising the mind is far superior to exercising the tongue, for only with a powerful mind can one attain wisdom and merit. The brain's function is primarily governed by the manas (mental faculty), while wagging the tongue is the work of the mano-vijñāna (consciousness). Which function is stronger and more capable of solving problems? Exercising the mind is taxing, while wagging the tongue requires little effort. Thus, many people neglect to use their minds, relying solely on their tongues. What problems can wagging the tongue truly solve? Those with profound thoughts speak little, while those who talk much have shallow thoughts. One uses the manas extensively; the other relies heavily on consciousness. Such is the relationship between the manas and consciousness: when one deepens, the other shallows; one is profound, the other superficial. Which is better—depth or shallowness?