Cato the Younger Quotes

Put a bridle on thy tongue; set a guard before thy lips, lest the words of thine own mouth destroy thy peace... on much speaking cometh repentance, but in silence is safety.

I'm of the opinion that it's okay to be silent, to not speak if you don't have anything to say.

When you have nothing to say, say nothing.

I have never been hurt by what I have not said.

Never rise to speak till you have something to say; and when you have said it, cease.

It is well for one to know more than he says.

He that hath knowledge spareth his words.

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

It illustrates vividly my incapacity of knowing when to be silent and when to speak.

There is a better thing than the great man who is always speaking, and that is the great man who only speaks when he has a great word to say.

Listen! Clam up your mouth and be silent like an oyster shell, for that tongue of yours is the enemy of the soul, my friend. When the lips are silent, the heart has a hundred tongues.

I've always been a guy who's reserved my words for the right time.

If you keep your mouth shut you will never put your foot in it.

I was quiet. If I really wanted to say something, I would. I just wasn't interested in saying anything.

The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.

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

Before you speak ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful. If the answer is no, maybe what you are about to say should be left unsaid.

Keep silence for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly.

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

Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish within yourself the habit of silence, especially in politics.

Let your thoughts be abundant, but let your mouth be under restraint.

I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.

Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent.

The problem is that people think once and talk 10 times. It's better to think 10 times before you talk once.

I've really learned to watch what I say.