Expansion of Idea The wise man has long ears and a short tongue. (HSC June 2024) In a crowded room, many voices compete to be heard, yet few truly understand what is being said. Some rush to fill silence with words, while others allow silence to teach them. Those who pause, observe, and absorb often gain deeper insight than those who speak endlessly. Listening is an invisible yet powerful skill. It sharpens perception, reveals hidden meanings, and enables learning from both success and failure. Words, however, carry weight and permanence. Careless speech may wound or mislead, while thoughtful words have the power to heal, guide, and inspire. Experience proves that restraint in speech reflects inner strength. Thoughtful silence commands respect, whereas excessive talk exposes ignorance. Thus, true wisdom grows in reflection and patience. As the proverb says, “the wise man has long ears and a short tongue,” reminding us that attentive listening and measured speech are the true mark...
The Planners by Boey Kim Cheng Appreciation of the Poem Q. Write a poetic appreciation of the poem ‘The Planners’. (For General Guidelines On How To Write Poem Appreciation) Click Here Answer: The poem ‘ The Planners ’ written by Singaporean poet Boey Kim Cheng , is a powerful poem that critiques the excessive urban planning and modernization taking place in rapidly developing cities by the planners who design and control the transformation of urban spaces which seem to reshape cities without regard for history, nature, or human emotion. The central theme of the poem is that progress is good but should not be at the loss of identity, history, and individuality. The poet highlights how constant construction, rigid symmetry, and artificial perfection erase the imperfections that give a place its soul. The poem is written in free verse . This style, the use of short sentences reflects, how ironica...