QuoteProject
Speech was given to the ordinary sort of men, whereby to communicate their mind; but to wise men, whereby to conceal it.
Robert South
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Speech can serve different purposes for different people; some use it to express thoughts, while others use it to hide their true intentions.

This quote highlights the dual nature of communication. For ordinary individuals, speech serves as a means of expressing thoughts and emotions, allowing them to share their perspectives. In contrast, wise individuals may use speech strategically to obscure their true intentions, suggesting that not all communication is transparent and that wisdom often lies in knowing when to reveal or conceal one's thoughts.

Themes

SpeechCommunicationWisdomExpressionConcealment

In practice

Example use cases

A speaker at a debate might quote this to emphasize the nuances of argumentation.

More from Robert South

That in all these worldly Things, that a Man pursues with the greatest Eagerness and Intention of Mind imaginable, he finds not half the Pleasure in the actual Possession of them, that he proposed to himself in the Expectation.
Robert SouthRead
There is not the least flower but seems to hold up its head, and to look pleasantly, in the secret sense of the goodness of its Heavenly Maker.
Robert SouthRead
The grateful person fears no court or judge, no sentence or executioner, but what he carries about him in his own breast: and being still the most severe exactor of himself, not only confesses but proclaims his debts.
Robert SouthRead

Similar quotes

The only guide to a man's conscience, the only shield to his memory is the rectitude and sincerity of his actions.
Winston ChurchillRead
We have to take the first step as though there were no God. It is no use to wait for God to help us, He will not: but immediately we arise we find He is there.
Oswald ChambersRead
When we are children we seldom think of the future. This innocence leaves us free to enjoy ourselves as few adults can. The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind.
Patrick RothfussRead
If we did not have a sense of who we were, how we got here, why we want to achieve something - which, on the face of it, on the logic of it, is probably not worth trying - and prove that logic wrong, then you wouldn't succeed; then you would just evaporate.
Lee Hsien LoongRead
Geniuses must never die, the progress of mankind depends on us
Salvador DaliRead
I know now what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work.
Harper LeeRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.