Speech Restraint Quotes

If any man think it a small matter, or of mean concernment, to bridle his tongue, he is much mistaken; for it is a point to be silent when occasion requires, and better than to speak, though never so well.

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

To many men well-fitting doors are not set on their tongues.

No man speaketh, or should speak, of his prince, that which he hath not weighed whether it will consist with that veneration which should be preserved inviolate to him.

Before the tongue can speak, it must have lost the power to wound.

What is this word that broke through the fence of your teeth, Atreides?

Monkeys who very sensibly refrain from speech, lest they should be set to earn their livings.

We seldom repent talking little, but very often talking too much.

We rarely repent of speaking little, but often of speaking too much.

It is a great misfortune neither to have enough wit to talk well nor enough judgment to be silent.

"Children, don't speak so coarsely," said Mr Webster, who had a vague notion that some supervision should be exercised over his daughters' speech, and that a line should be drawn, but never knew quite when to draw it. He had allowed his daughters to use his library without restraint, and nothing is more fatal to maidenly delicacy of speech than the run of a good library.

Out of respect, a man must veil his words when talking with a woman, but with a man he can frankly say whatever's on his mind.

If we can only speak to slander our betters, let us hold our tongues.

Yet none use their words more recklessly than the strong, who have not been sobered by the rebuffs and uncertainties of life.

If thou desire to be held wise, be so wise as to hold thy tongue.

A great ox stands on my tongue.

Discretion in speech is more than eloquence.

A good word is an easy obligation; but not to speak ill requires only our silence, which costs us nothing.