Topics · Love & People
Wisdom about communication.
What people have learned about communication the hard way, and what the classics said about it first.
Discussions
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From the library
Suit the action to the word, the word to the action.
A soft answer turneth away wrath.
Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical.
Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
There are few in the world who attain to the teaching without words, and the advantage arising from non-action.
Conscience is but a word that cowards use, devised at first to keep the strong in awe.
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
He who knows (the Tao) does not (care to) speak (about it); he who is (ever ready to) speak about it does not know it.
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
My words are very easy to know, and very easy to practise; but there is no one in the world who is able to know and able to practise them.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
(Its) admirable words can purchase honour; (its) admirable deeds can raise their performer above others. Even men who are not good are not abandoned by it.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
There is an originating and all-comprehending (principle) in my words, and an authoritative law for the things (which I enforce). It is because they do not know these, that men do not know me.
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
How irresolute did those (earliest rulers) appear, showing (by their reticence) the importance which they set upon their words! Their work was done and their undertakings were successful, while the people all said, 'We are as we are, of ourselves!'
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. Those who are skilled (in the Tao) do not dispute (about it); the disputatious are not skilled in it. Those who know (the Tao) are not extensively learned; the extensively learned do not know it.
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
It is the way of Heaven not to strive, and yet it skilfully overcomes; not to speak, and yet it is skilful in obtaining a reply; does not call, and yet men come to it of themselves. Its demonstrations are quiet, and yet its plans are skilful and effective. The meshes of the net of Heaven are large; far apart, but letting nothing escape.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
That whereby the rivers and seas are able to receive the homage and tribute of all the valley streams, is their skill in being lower than they;—it is thus that they are the kings of them all. So it is that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above men, puts himself by his words below them, and, wishing to be before them, places his person behind them.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
What is meant by speaking thus of favour and disgrace? Disgrace is being in a low position (after the enjoyment of favour). The getting that (favour) leads to the apprehension (of losing it), and the losing it leads to the fear of (still greater calamity):—this is what is meant by saying that favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared. And what is meant by saying that honour and great…
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.