Richard Foster Quotes

If it requires great tact to speak to the purpose, it requires no less to know when to be silent.

Why did God give me two ears and one mouth? So that I will hear more and talk less.

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.

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

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

Speak only if it improves upon the silence.

He knows not when to be silent who knows not when to speak.

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

This I consider to be a valuable principle in life: Do no thing in excess.

There is a time and a place for things. Sometimes one needs to put a filter on oneself. That can be a good thing.

You know, there's times when you should play and there's times when you gotta hold back.

Don't give your advice before you are called upon.

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

I never use my sword when the lash suffices, nor the lash when my tongue is enough.

Allow yourself a few parties, but be mindful the rest of the time.

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.

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.

You have to know when to prod and when to be quiet, when to let things take their course.

Two rules: You enter without breaking. And you remember that nobody misses what you don't take.

Better the feet slip then the tongue.

It is but a small merit to observe silence, but it is a grave fault to speak of matters on which we should be silent.

There is an old proverb to the effect that 'all those who open their mouths, close their eyes!' The purpose of silence and solitude is to be able to see and hear. Control rather than no noise is the key to silence. James saw clearly that the person who could control his tounge is perfect (James 3:1-12). Under the Discipline of silence and solitude we learn when to speak and when to refrain from speaking.

Within seconds thoughts become words that slip off our tongue and into the world. Pausing before we speak may seem cumbersome, but it allows us to decide: Is this helpful? Does this need to be said now? What is the best way to say this?

To many men well-fitting doors are not set on their tongues.

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