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About this quote

What does it mean?
By mastering language, the speaker chooses silence instead of speaking.
In plain terms
He kept quiet even though he could speak well.
What can you take from it?
Sometimes restraint is more powerful than words.

Where it applies

  • debates
  • negotiations
  • personal reflection

Putting it to work

  • listen more
  • avoid unnecessary talk

Questions to consider

  • When is silence more effective than speaking?

Another view

Silence can be misinterpreted as weakness.

More from Samuel Langhorne Clemens

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