When you have anything to communicate that will distress the heart of the person whom it concerns, be silent, in order that he may hear it from some one else. O nightingale, bring thou the glad tidings of the spring, and leave bad news to the owl!
It often happens that the imprudent is honoured and the wise despised. The alchemist died of poverty and distress, while the blockhead found a treasure under a ruin.
Covetousness sews up the eyes of cunning, and brings both bird and fish into the net.
Although, in the estimation of the wise, silence is commendable, yet at a proper season speech is preferable.[17]
Two things indicate an obscure understanding: to be silent when we should converse, and to speak when we should be silent.
Put not yourself so much in the power of your friend that, if he should become your enemy, he may be able to injure you.
Our English poet Young has this observation in his Night Thoughts:
Thought, in the mine, may come forth gold or dross;
When coined in word, we know its real worth.
He had been thus anticipated by Saádí: “To what shall be likened the tongue in a man’s mouth? It is the key of the treasury of wisdom. When the door is shut, who can discover whether he deals in jewels or small-wares?”