Maxim
Speak kindly, or keep silent.
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
Judaism · Ancient (before 200 BCE)
Translation: King James Version (public domain)
Watch on YouTube: How to Speak So That People Want to Listen | Julian Treasure ↗Julian Treasure discusses this idea
Words can heal or wound, and once spoken they cannot be taken back. A little restraint in speech spares others pain and spares us a good deal of trouble.
Related expressions
“anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet.”
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
“Do not speak harshly to anybody; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful, blows for blows will touch thee.”
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
“Be mostly silent, or speak merely what is needful, and in few words.”
Score
Moral Rank 79.9 · Evidence E = 17.89
E = ln(1+4.52) + √3.96 + 3·3.23 + 1.5·3 = 17.89