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About this quote

What does it mean?
A word once spoken flies away irrevocably.
In plain terms
Spoken words cannot be taken back.
What can you take from it?
Think before you speak.

Where it applies

  • public speaking
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • pause before replying
  • choose precise language

Questions to consider

  • How do you recover from a mis‑spoken word?
  • When is honesty more important than caution?

Another view

Spontaneity can also foster authenticity.

More from Horace

  1. Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet.

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  2. Nam tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet.

    Permalink to quote #31
  3. Nam neque divitibus contingunt gaudia solis, nec vixit male, qui natus moriensque fefellit.

    Permalink to quote #28

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