Simon Armitage Quotes

Silence and reserve will give anyone a reputation for wisdom.

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

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

Sometimes you can tell a wise person not only by what he says but also by what he doesn't say. Remember, it is much better to say little than to say too much and regret it later.

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

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

It ain't a bad plan to keep still occasionally even when you know what you're talking about.

I always think 12 times before saying anything.

Let your accusations be few in number, even if they be just.

Knowledge is power only as long as you keep your mouth shut.

Knowing what you can not do is more important than knowing what you can do. In fact, that's good taste.

When you have nothing important or interesting to say, don't let anyone persuade you to say it.

Silence is foolish if we are wise, but wise if we are foolish.

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Notable talents are not necessarily connected with discretion.

You must be wise, but not too wise.

It's a wise thing to hold back.

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

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

Silence is true wisdom's best reply.

You can be very wild and still be very wise.

There is often, in the affairs of government, more efficiency and wisdom in non-action than in action.

Grant us a brief delay; impulse in everything is but a worthless servant.

I am really cautious about what I say and do.

If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.