Topics · Love & People
Wisdom about words & silence.
What people have learned about words & silence the hard way, and what the classics said about it first.
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From the library
Suit the action to the word, the word to the action.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical.
Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest.
A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
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.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
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.
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
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.
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
(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 lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
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.
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop (for a time). But though the Tao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and has no flavour, though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to, the use of it is inexhaustible.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
May not the space between heaven and earth be compared to a bellows? 'Tis emptied, yet it loses not its power; 'Tis moved again, and sends forth air the more. Much speech to swift exhaustion lead we see; Your inner being guard, and keep it free.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
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 legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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 fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Let him keep his mouth closed, and shut up the portals (of his nostrils), and all his life he will be exempt from laborious exertion. Let him keep his mouth open, and (spend his breath) in the promotion of his affairs, and all his life there will be no safety for him.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take; Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make; The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste; The chariot course, and the wild hunting waste Make mad the mind; and objects rare and strange, Sought for, men's conduct will to evil change.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
He (who knows it) will keep his mouth shut and close the portals (of his nostrils). He will blunt his sharp points and unravel the complications of things; he will attemper his brightness, and bring himself into agreement with the obscurity (of others). This is called 'the Mysterious Agreement.'
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity of his nature. A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day. To whom is it that these (two) things are owing? To Heaven and Earth. If Heaven and Earth cannot make such (spasmodic) actings last long, how much less can man!
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
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.
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
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.
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.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
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.