Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Explaining yourself is useless because friends already trust you and enemies doubt you.
In plain terms
Do not explain yourself to anyone.
What can you take from it?
Save energy and do not explain your actions.

Where it applies

  • gossip
  • disputes
  • criticism

Putting it to work

  • stay silent
  • act without defense

Questions to consider

  • When is silence best?
  • Who needs explanation?

Another view

It avoids accountability and clear communication.

More from Elbert Hubbard

  1. Life is just one damned thing after another.

    Permalink to quote #89
  2. Never get married in college; it's hard to get a start if a prospective employer finds you've already made one mistake.

    Permalink to quote #91
  3. Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer the goal.

    Permalink to quote #88

Related quotes

  1. Calumnies are answered best with silence.

    Ben JonsonBen Jonson quote #7
  2. It ain't a bad plan to keep still occasionally even when you know what you're talking about.

    Kin HubbardKin Hubbard quote #21
  3. Let sleeping dogs lie - who wants to rouse 'em?

    Charles DickensCharles Dickens quote #92