Edwin Hubbel Chapin Quotes

Discretion is a very valuable asset.

Know when to speak - for many times it brings danger, to give the best advice to kings.

One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.

Prudence is the footprint of Wisdom.

Step with care and great tact, and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act.

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

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

The rest is a mere matter of detail, to be settled with judgment, discretion, and caution.

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

I have to chose my words carefully.

Force without wisdom fall of its own weight.

You've got to know when to keep your mouth shut. The Senate's the cruelest judge in the world. A man's a fool to talk to other fellows about any subject unless he knows more about that subject than they do.

In politics you'll never get into trouble by not saying too much.

It is a sad thing when men have neither the wit to speak well, nor the judgment to hold their tongues.

Discretion--humble as it seems, it has often brought about successes in which talent failed and genius did not succeed. Discretion in the great affairs of the world does wonders, and safety depends frequently and is chiefly derived from it....

What is permitted is not always wise.

All persons are not discreet enough to know how to take things by the right handle.

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)

Prudence is the knowledge of things to be sought, and those to be shunned.

There's a time for daring and there's a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.

The eye of prudence may never shut.

Knowing when to keep your mouth shut is invariably more important than opening it at the right time.

Everything must not always be said, for that would be folly.

Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer.