4 ms·
I was curious to see the full text of the translated poem. Here it is via google books preview of the book in question: Oh man, think long before talk escapes
by emurray 3y ago
I was curious to see the full text of the translated poem. Here it is via google books preview of the book in question:
Oh man, think long
before talk escapes your mouth.
Speak thoughtfully, without anger and hatred,
thus you will succeed all the better.
Listening quickly and answering slowly,
considering things carefully, that is how wise men live.
Through talk many have been overcome,
in silence few have been found dishonourable.
There is no better protection from dishonour
than being the master of your tongue.
- CoastalCoder 3y agoIt seems like solid advice. I'm curious about the known exceptions. I.e., when has holding one's tongue entirely, or taking time to think before speaking, worked out badly?
- Swizec 3y ago[flagged]
- lo_zamoyski 3y agoThe advice is meant generally as a matter of having a habit of listening and considering before speaking. This has nothing to do with being able to handle a debate partner. Prudence is assumed here, as always. (W.r.t. Trump, I would not say his style is "designed", even if it is exploited. As a New Yorker, his pauses are conventionally short relative to those used in other regions of the US such that someone from some place like Texas, where pauses are longer, may not be able to catch the pause in time or even discern the pause at all. So his interlocutor must realize that this is the case and respond accordingly.)
- Jeff_Brown 3y agoMaybe don't stifle the urge to say you love someone.
- dgfitz 3y agohttps://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/James-1-19/ https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/James-1-19/ "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:"