William Faulkner Quotes

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.

Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.

We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.

When you have nothing to say, say nothing.

Men are born with two eyes, but with one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.

I often regret that I have spoken; never that I have been silent.

We must ask ourselves how many times others would benefit more from our silence than from our words.

Speake fitly, or be silent wisely.

Everyone breathes in air, but it's a wise person who knows when to use that air to speak and when to exhale in silence.

Have you ever heard the phrase, it is better to keep your mouth closed and have people wonder if you are stupid than open it and remove all doubt? (Hakim al Harbi)

When Demaratus was asked whether he held his tongue because he was a fool or for want of words, he replied, "A fool cannot hold his tongue.

He who does not know how to be silent will not know how to speak.

A sparing tongue is the greatest treasure among men.

If you have nothing to say, say nothing.

Nothing is more like a wise man than a fool who holds his tongue.

Remember what Simonides said, that he never repented that he had held his tongue, but often that he had spoken.

It's not so much knowing when to speak, when to pause.

Blessed is the man, who having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.

One of the most beneficial things I've ever learned is how to keep my mouth shut.

It ain't a bad plan to keep still occasionally even when you know what you're talking about.

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

Be sure your wisest words are those you do not say.

You know, I have found out in the course of a long public life that the things I did not say never hurt me.

There is a time to be quiet and a time to talk.

Silence is worth a thousand pieces of silver.