"Old Saying Gives An Observation" by Susan Pearl

"An empty wagon makes a lot of noise".

I don't know much about wagons but it makes sense to me that an empty wagon would vibrate more while going over the bumpy and washboard roads.  It would rumble and could be heard coming from a distance.  A wagon that is loaded and has weight in it would be more solid and make less noise going over the same roads.

The two aspects are: that an empty moving wagon makes a lot of noise but a filled moving wagon doesn't make as much noise.

When I was growing up I remember this old saying was used in reference for people who have a habit of talking way to much.  Many times I heard the words, " They talk and they talk and they talk and they don't say a thing".  It is definitely not a compliment but it isn't meant as an insult --it is an observation as to reveal how other people feel about the time they spend listening to an overly talkative person.  The talkative person won't stop talking and it becomes hard to get away and to be able to say "Bye". It doesn't seem like a worthwhile way to spend time because there are others things to do or people will be waiting.  The old saying is conveying that the overly talkative people make a lot of noise and it is an empty time when overdone.

In my opinion this old saying isn't meant to be mean, sarcastic or hurtful.  I think the it can be used as a guide for us, too, to not ramble on and on in our conversations about insignificant things because we are aware and respectful of the other person's time and attention being given to us.  Such ramblings are can be empty conversation.  We don't want to be an empty wagon but rather have our conversations be of getting to the points of interest needed to convey what we want to convey in the briefest way.  "An empty wagon makes a lot of noise" and if we use that that old saying as a guide for our conversations then we won't be a empty wagon in someone else's busy life and they won't be an empty wagon in our busy life.  Because either way, for us or for others, "An empty wagon make a lot of noise".