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James said that every man should be swift to do what, and slow to do what?

User Gluttton
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Final answer:

James advised that every man should be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, which coincides with philosophical teachings that encourage self-control, careful action, and virtuous character development.

Step-by-step explanation:

James's statement that "every man should be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" is a principle that emphasizes the importance of listening, thoughtful speaking, and managing anger.

This saying can be found in the religious context, particularly within the Christian New Testament, but it also resonates with various philosophical teachings that highlight the value of self-control and wisdom in interpersonal interactions.



This tenet aligns with the wider ethical guidance found in numerous philosophical texts, which advocate for virtues such as patience, careful consideration of one's actions (pondering what precedes and what follows an act), and the cultivation of good character through habitual right actions.

For instance, the idea that "we become just or unjust by doing the acts that we do in our transactions with other men" from Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics corresponds with the call for careful speech and thoughtful response suggested in James's statement.



The practice of virtue leading to having respectable neighbors, as suggested by one saying, can be related to being "swift to hear" as a sign of respect and consideration towards others. Additionally, being "slow to wrath" is akin to thinking of the consequences when anger rises, which shows a deliberate approach to maintaining a virtuous character.