If it requires great tact to speak to the purpose, it requires no less to know when to be silent.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Do not speak harshly to anybody; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful, blows for blows will touch thee.
—The Dhammapada Buddhist Anthology of Verses
Be ever on your guard what you say of anybody and to whom.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
A speech should not just be a sharing of information, but a sharing of yourself.
—Ralph Archbold (1942–2017) American Actor, Impersonator
And ’tis remarkable that they talk most who have the least to say.
—Matthew Prior (1664–1721) English Poet, Diplomat
I didn’t say the things I said.
—Yogi Berra (1925–2015) American Sportsperson
Get out of here and leave me alone. Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough already.
—Karl Marx (1818–1883) German Philosopher, Economist
Look wise say nothing and grunt, speech was given to conceal thought.
—William Osler (1849–1919) Canadian Physician
The words of tongue should have three gate keepers.
—Arabic Proverb
A good speaker makes a good liar.
—German Proverb
I don’t care how much a person talks, if they only say it in a few words.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
When at a loss how to go on, cough.
—Greek Proverb
The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven’t thought of yet.
—Ask Ann Landers (1918–2002) American Advice Columnist
What is uttered is finished and done with.
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955) German Novelist, Short Story Writer, Social Critic, Philanthropist, Essayist
There are three things that ought to be considered before some things are spoken,—the manner, the place, and the time.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
The first evil those who are prone to talk suffer, is that they hear nothing.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Speakers who talk about what life has taught them never fail to keep the attention of their listeners.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Half wits talk much, but say little.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
A man does not know what he is saying until he knows what he is not saying.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.
—John M. Ford (1957–2006) American Novelist, Writer, Poet
To climb a tree to catch a fish is talking much and doing nothing.
—Chinese Proverb
He who knows little knows enough if he knows how to hold is tongue.
—Italian Proverb
Don’t speak unless you can improve on the silence.
—Spanish Proverb
A closed mouth catches no flies.
—French Proverb
Never rise to speak till you have something to say; and when you have said it, cease.
—John Witherspoon (1723–94) Scottish-American Presbyterian Theologian
Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.
—D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) English Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Essayist, Literary Critic
He that speaks much, is much mistaken.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Leave a Reply