Chapter VII: On the Excellence of Silence and the Sweetness of Self-denial

If you draw in your feet 'neath your skirt, mountain-wise,Past the heavens in grandeur your head will arise.Oh man of great knowledge, have little to say !For the dumb will be saved on the Last Judgment Day!Those knowing the gems of God's mystery well,Do not open their mouths, but for pearls, like the shell.The garrulous man has so plugged up his ears,That excepting in silence no counsel he hears.When your wish is perpetual talking, of course,No relish you'll get from another's discourse.To make unconsidered remarks is not meet;It is wrong to reply till the speech is complete!Those reflecting on error and rectitude, riseSuperior to prattlers, with ready replies.Since speech is a perfect attainment in man,Do not make yourself faulty by talk ! if you can.Him ashamed you won't see who has little to say ;Better one grain of musk than a hillock of clay.Beware of the fool with the talk of ten men !Like a wise man speak once and effectively, then!You have shot five-score arrows and errant they flew ;Shoot one if you're wary and let it be true !Why mentions a man as a secret, the taleWhich if publicly uttered would make his cheeks pale?Do not slander too freely in front of a wall !For it may be that some one behind it hears all !Your mind's a town wall, all your secrets around,Take care that the door, opened wide, is not found!The sage sewed his mouth up because he assumed,That the candle by means of its tongue is consumed.