Tell troth and shame the devil.
Ben JonsonRead
To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the difference between simply talking and speaking with wisdom.
This quote by Ben Jonson contrasts the actions of a fool, who may talk without thought, with the actions of a wise man, who chooses his words carefully and communicates meaningfully. It highlights the importance of thoughtful communication and suggests that not all speech carries value or insight; being articulate and knowledgeable enhances the impact of one's words.
Themes
WisdomSpeechCommunicationThoughtfulnessKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
In a public speaking event to emphasize the importance of thoughtful dialogue.
More from Ben Jonson
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I know no disease of the soul but ignorance, a pernicious evil, the darkener of man's life, the disturber of his reason, and common confounder of truth.
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Ben JonsonRead
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