Plato Quotes

To speak and to speak well, are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.

Silence is the virtue of fools.

Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.

He that hath knowledge spareth his words.

Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it.

There is a better thing than the great man who is always speaking, and that is the great man who only speaks when he has a great word to say.

It is a great misfortune not to possess sufficient wit to speak well, nor sufficient judgment to keep silent.

Silence is said to be golden, but the best fools the world has ever produced had nothing to say on the subject

Words are the counters of wise men, but the money of fools.

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

Wise men argue causes; fools decide them.

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

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

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.

Before a man speaks it is always safe to assume that he is a fool. After he speaks, it is seldom necessary to assume it.

People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little.

Men are born with two eyes, but with one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.

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

In Greece wise men speak and fools decide.

Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech.

Don’t ever talk until you know what you’re talking about…

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)

He spoke with more eloquence than wisdom.

When Demaratus was asked whether he held his tongue because he was a fool or for want of words, he replied, "A fool cannot hold his tongue.

Silence is not always a sign of wisdom, but babbling is ever a mark of folly.