Diogenes Quotes

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

There is a time to speak and a time to listen, and sometimes people need to shut up.

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

Having two ears and one tongue, we should listen twice as much as we speak.

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

The world would be happier if men had the same capacity to be silent that they have to speak.

Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.

Who is wise in love, love most, say least.

All we have to do is listen. The Good Lord gave us two ears and only one mouth, my dear white-headed mother used to say.

I suppose that people, using themselves and each other so much by words, are at least consistent in attributing wisdom to a still tongue.

Let the poor man mind his tongue

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

Speech is human, silence is divine, yet also brutish and dead: therefore we must learn both arts.

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

Silence may be golden, but can you think of a better way to entertain someone than to listen to him?

True wisdom listens more, talks less and can get along with all types of people.

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

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.

So I think it's better to say something than not to say anything at all, even to an ignorant person.

Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.

Life is a conversation. Make it a good one.

I think, in a world of mouths, I want to be an ear.

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.

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