Tai Shan, a giant panda cub, receives his first general public visitors today at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. I understand they gave away 13,000 tickets for this first public appearance of the nearly 5-month old star.
I wonder how many of those visitors have ever heard that pandas are said to exercise great discretion. Discretion is one of the entries on a complete list of character traits, and a great character trait, but can you imagine a panda having character?
I can’t. A panda’s shyness is the trait to which many refer, but shyness is not character.
The “discretion” that appears as a character trait is exercised by distinguishing between right and wrong in conduct and speech – especially in speech. I wrote about it a few days ago. Discretion controls what we say to and about other people.
Discretion is a bridle for the tongue. It governs the tongue, just as a bridle governs a horse. A horse’s bridle is a headpiece that fits on the horse’s head, and includes the headstall, bit, chin strap, and reins. The bit is a piece of metal that goes into the mouth. When you pull gently on the bridle, the metal bit moves toward the back of the horse’s mouth, and the pressure of it convinces the horse to do what you want.
In similar manner, discretion controls and directs our tongues. Our tongues are extremely powerful parts of our bodies – more powerful than a strong horse. The Bible calls the tongue a small part of the body that accomplishes great things. As a tiny fire at the end of a match or cigarette can start a major wildfire, so our little tongues can cause great destruction. No one can tame the tongue. You can’t domesticate it. You can’t train it so that it will behave on its own. You have to keep it bridled, and the bridle you use is discretion.
One of the Bible verses about the tongue applies perfectly to a study of character. Simply replace two words, as indicated, in this verse from James 1:26.
“If anyone thinks himself to be religious (a person of character), and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion (character) is worthless.
Paraphrasing that, I think it is safe to say that if anyone thinks he or she has strong character, but doesn’t exercise discretion in speech, the professed strong character is of no value whatsoever.
Discretion is essential for integrity, honesty, and truthfulness. Check out Jeremy Rabbit’s Honesty Pie, and see if you agree. Discretion plays a big part in caring, or compassion. Even little children understand that when you read them Pandora Puppy’s Caring Circle. Imagine a person claiming to have self-control, yet not able to bridle the tongue with discretion. Consider other character traits. Discretion is essential to them all.
Character education teachers, at any age level, would do well to invest in a used bridle, and hang it in a conspicuous spot on the classroom wall. They should then add a bold label above it bearing the single word “discretion.”
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?