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About this quote

What does it mean?
People talk less when they are not motivated by vanity.
In plain terms
Vanity makes people talk too much.
What can you take from it?
Silence often signals genuine character.

Where it applies

  • conversations
  • meetings
  • social media

Putting it to work

  • listen more than you speak
  • avoid boasting

Questions to consider

  • Why do you feel the need to speak?
  • What does silence say about you?

Another view

Quiet people can also be hiding something.

More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld

  1. Il est plus aise d'etre sage pour les autres que de l'etre pour soi-meme.

    Permalink to quote #44

  2. On aime mieux dire du mal de soi-meme que de n'en point parler.

    Permalink to quote #46

  3. Il suffit quelquefois d'etre grossier pour n'etre pas trompe par un habile homme.

    Permalink to quote #43

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