Doc. We must acknowledge, Mr. Gorgibus, that it is a wonderful gift to be able to say things in a few words, and that great talkers, instead of being heard, become often so wearisome that one cannot listen to them; virtutem primam esse puta compescere linguam. Yes, the best quality of an honest man is silence.
Gor. You must know then …
Doc. There are three things which Socrates used to recommend particularly to his disciples: to be careful of one's actions, to be sober in eating, and to say things in a few words. Begin, Mr. Gorgibus.
Gor. It is my wish to do so.
Doc. In a few words, without ceremony, without indulging in a long speech: cut it short with an apophthegm[6]; quick, quick, Mr. Gorgibus, make haste, avoid prolixity.
Gor. Suffer me to speak then….
Doc. That's enough Mr. Gorgibus, you speak too much. Somebody else must tell me what was the cause of their quarrel.
Vill. You must know, sir, that …
Doc. You are an ignoramus, an unlearned man, ignorant of all good rules; an ass, in plain English. What! you begin a discourse without a word of exordium! Some one else must tell me what happened; will you, young lady, tell me the particulars of all this noise?
Ang. Do you see here my fat rascal, my wine-barrel of a husband …