Epictetus Quotes

Silence is better than unmeaning words.

Never express yourself more clearly than you are able to think.

You've got to guard against speaking more clearly than you think.

Surely human affairs would be far happier if the power in men to be silent were the same as that to speak. But experience more than sufficiently teaches that men govern nothing with more difficulty than their tongues.

...but I guess it's better for people to shut up rather than rather than say something nasty. -ONE NIGHT @ THE CALL CENTER Chapter 1 page 22

Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.

Genuine good taste consists in saying much in few words, in choosing among our thoughts, in having order and arrangement in what we say, and in speaking with composure.

Vocal rest is awesome. It is like any kind of fast. Firstly, it is a purification of speech. It made me realize how not careful I am with the things I say. It also makes you find new ways of communication and new methods to connect with people.

First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.

Think before you speak is criticism's motto; speak before you think, creation's.

I really don't have anything urgent to say, and I think you shouldn't write unless you have something urgent to say. Sometimes that troubles me, and sometimes I don't really care.

I'm trying to be very aware of not repeating myself.

I regret things all the time. I've never regretted not saying something. I've only regretted saying something.

Listen or your tongue will keep you deaf.

It is very wholesome exercise, this trying to make one's words represent one's thoughts, instead of merely looking to their effect on others

There's a way to speak your mind. You don't just go off and say whatever you feel is right. You have to say what you feel is right and say it if it's something that works for the team.

I realised quite early that by the time I articulate my thoughts into words, I'm on to another thought. And what comes out wasn't what I thought of exactly. So not talking was a better option.

When I speak, the things that I'll say will mean something. And if it's not going to mean anything, I won't say it.

I think that people in Mexico talk too much.

If I don't think something's worth saying, I don't think it's quite there, I'd rather just not say it, to be honest. In that case, I'd rather wait 'till the thought is ready, 'till I feel like I'm happy with everything.

To be silent is sometimes an art, yet not so great a one as certain people would have us believe, who are wisest they are most silent.

Listen now. When people talk listen completely. Don't be thinking what you're going to say. Most people never listen. Nor do they observe.

Speak only if it improves upon the silence.

Students, when you want to say something, think about it three times before you say it. Speak only if your words will benefit yourselves and others. Do not speak if it brings no benefit.

People are always fighting for attention with things now because there's so much content. Actually, if you don't tell people stuff - you just keep your mouth shut - you don't have to whisper it, you just don't yell. Take the bullhorn off your mouth and it's a secret.