Preachers and politicians often share the quality of loquaciousness. That doesn’t mean they necessarily appreciate or tolerate that quality in each other.

President Calvin Coolidge earned his nickname “Silent Cal” by saying no more than necessary. He often wished others would strive toward the same objective.

One Sunday morning, his wife, Grace, was ill and unable to accompany him to church. When he returned from the services, Grace asked him what the sermon was about. He answered, “Sin.”

When it was clear he was not going to offer any further details, the First Lady pressed him, asking, “Well, what did he have to say about it?”

Coolidge thought for a moment before replying: “He was against it.”

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