Words and Speaking
What to say? According to Poor Richard, often the best thing is
nothing at all. Rick seems to agree with James 3, the tongue is hard to
control. The best way to keep your mouth from getting out of hand (is
that anatomically possible?) is to keep your mouth shut. And so, about
this, I will say . . .
If any man flatters me, I'll flatter him again; tho' he were my best friend.
Tongue double, brings trouble.
Her comes Glib-Tongue: who can outflatter a Dedication; and lie, like ten
Epitaphs.
Speak with contempt of none, from slave to king,
The meanest Bee hath, and will use, a sting.*
Well done is better than well said.
The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
Speak and speed: the close mouth catches no flies.
In a discreet man's mouth a publick thing is private.
Great talkers should be cropp'd, for they have no need of ears.
Tart Words make no Friends: a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a
gallon of vinegar.
Who says Jack is not generous? --- he is always fond of giving, and cares not
for receiving, --- what? --- why, advice.
A soft Tongue may strike hard.
You may talk too much on the best of subjects.
Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy.+
If you would keep your secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend.
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
Praise to the undeserving, is severe Satyr [Satire].
A Slip of the Foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the Tongue you may
never get over.
When you persuade, speak of Interest, not of Reason.
A Pair of good Ears will drink dry an hundred tongues.
A great Talker may be no Fool, but he is one that relies on him.
Here comes the orator, with his flood of words and his drop of reason.
Thou can'st not joke an enemy into a friend, but thou may'st a friend into
an enemy.
Words may shew a man's Wit, but Actions his Meaning.
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