From cane reeds, sugar. From a worm's cocoon, silk. Be patient if you can, and from sour grapes will come something sweet.
RumiRead
An orator without judgment is a horse without a bridle.
Interpretation
An effective speaker must possess good judgment to guide their words properly.
Theophrastus's quote suggests that oratory skills alone are insufficient without the ability to discern and judge appropriately. Just as a horse cannot be controlled without a bridle, an orator's message can become chaotic and misdirected without the guiding influence of sound judgment and reason.
In practice
In a speech about leadership, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of critical thinking.
From cane reeds, sugar. From a worm's cocoon, silk. Be patient if you can, and from sour grapes will come something sweet.
It is in men as in soils where sometimes there is a vein of gold which the owner knows not.
Pain in this life is not avoidable, but the pain we create avoiding pain is avoidable.
Bitterness: anger that forgot where it came from.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
Apologies only account for that which they do not alter.
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