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About this quote

What does it mean?
Talking is common, but wise speech is rare and purposeful.
In plain terms
Fools talk a lot; wise men speak well.
What can you take from it?
Quality of speech matters more than quantity.

Where it applies

  • conversation
  • leadership
  • public speaking

Putting it to work

  • listen more
  • speak intentionally
  • value silence

Questions to consider

  • When is it better to stay silent?
  • How do you measure good speech?

Another view

It equates silence with wisdom unfairly.

More from Ben Jonson

  1. Though the most be players, some must be spectators.

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  2. One, though he be excellent and the chief, is not to be imitated alone; for never no imitator ever grew up to his author; likeness is always on this side truth…

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  3. Greatness of name in the father oft-times overwhelms the son; they stand too near one another. The shadow kills the growth: so much, that we see the grandchild…

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