The next I found is also a boxing challenge in The Montana Post, November 09, 1867. The Montana Post, J(Virginia City, Montana Territory ) 1867 If Reilley concluded to accept my proposition, he will find two hundred dollars deposited at the Fountain Restaurant, with John Cornell and Billy Nuttall, California Exchange, to be put up as a forfeit. The earliest I found in the Chronicling America archive from 1865 makes the meaning clear: Morrissey's slang terms are beneath my notice, as I prefer to conduct the matter in a gentlemanly and straightforward manner."Ĭambridge Chronicle, Volume XIII, Number 32, 7 August 1858 1865 The above proposition is certainly a fair one, and no man can object to it.- Now, if he means business, let him put up, or shut up, for this is the last communication that will come from me in regard to this fellow."Īnd the other ruffian, in his reply, says that he has resigned a place under government in order to accept the challenge, and concludes : "There has always been some objections, however, to every proposition I have made some little quibble that this man Heenan has raised, with how much courage and manliness I leave your readers to judge. Their letters are published in Porter's Spirit of the Times, where it is openly announced that they are to fight in Canada on the 20th of October, for $2,500 a side, the exact place to be named by the editor of "a city paper." Morrissey, who gave the challenge, closes his letter as follows: The Brutality of the Nineteenth Century-Somewhat after the manner of duelling correspondence, two pugilists, John Morrissey and John Heenan, the latter known as the "Benicia Hoy," have been negotiating for a fight. Here it is printed in another newspaper with more context: 1858ġ858 Marysville (Ohio) Tribune (Electronic text) 21 July, Now, if he means business, let him put up, or shut up, for this is the last communication that will come from me in regard to this fellow. He is a great leader and has plenty to offer – for the rest of us we would do well to remember that the word listen contains the same letters as silent.The phrase comes from boxing, when one fighter would challenge another and require him to put up a stake for a match, or stop his fighting words. I know someone who writes “BE QUIET” at the top of his notes when he is in a meeting, especially when he feels his talkative nature might dominate things. The time to shut up is when the opportunity presents itself, and this requires self-awareness, intuition and patience – in that order. Running a meeting and doing a presentation not only requires talking but also inspiring people – that is not the time to shut up. Lack of time affecting listening quality in other professions is a real problem many people are paid to manage teams, deliver projects and this requires talking, influencing, directing (at speed). Some careers are all about listening to other people – generally the person talking is sitting on the proverbial couch and you are taking notes by the hour. We tend to think talking commands respect but actually good listening earns it. The world and a demanding congregation could be clamouring for her attention around you but she would be locked on to what you were saying. I know a pastor’s wife who has the most incredible gift of listening. I think it’s quite simple – we are all just so rushed that really listening is a drain on precious time that we just don’t have. Stephen Covey said, “seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Greek philosopher Epictetus said “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” There is no shortage of insight on this topic but ironically it appears to be the wisdom most ignored (or maybe we’re all just talking too much to listen to good advice). Excuse the pun but real conversation is something we just pay lip service to. Do we truly participate in meaningful dialogue any more – verbal communication has become a ritual, a necessity to get what we want. We are all guilty while appearing to listen to the other person we are actually just thinking of our own reply. This great quote by Robert Newton Peck is a constant reminder: less is truly more.
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