William Osler Quotes

Not every truth is the better for showing its face undisguised; and often silence is the wisest thing for a man to heed.

Speech was given to the ordinary sort or men, whereby to communicate their mind; but to wise men, whereby to conceal it.

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

I know things but I shut my mouth.

In my experience those who know don’t talk and those who talk don’t know.

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.

Those who know don't tell and those who tell don't know.

Have more than you show, Speak less than you know.

Silence is one great art of conversation. He is not a fool who knows when to hold his tongue; and a person may gain credit for sense, eloquence, wit, who merely says nothing to lessen the opinion which others have of these qualities in themselves.

Tell no man anything, for no man listens Yet hold thy lips ready to speak.

I think it's important to understand the concrete ways things work and to respect that. But some things shouldn't be explained, and you have to respect that, too.

He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees.

There's a real wisdom to not saying a thing.

There's a degree of deception in silence.

Silence and reserve will give anyone a reputation for wisdom.

A secret is powerful when it is empty.

Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.

Choose silence of all virtues, for by it you hear other men's imperfections, and conceal your own.

For some of us, the less said about the way we do things the better.

You can't know too much, but you can say too much.

Be discreet in all things, and so render it unnecessary to be mysterious.

Talk low, talk slow and don't say too much.

He learned too much and too early that victory goes to the discreet, that one does not speak one's opinion, that ideally one does not even develop one's opinion.

Abraham Lincoln is the most shut-mouthed man who ever lived. He always tells only enough of his plans and purpose to induce the belief that he had communicated all.

Sometimes you've got to keep your mouth shut.