William Shakespeare Quotes

Never rise to speak till you have something to say; and when you have said it, cease.

One thing I like to tell founders is the more you talk, the more you have an opportunity to say something that people don't like. Talk less, and it will probably be better.

It is only the young and callow and ignorant that admire rashness. Think before you speak. Know your subject.

When you have nothing to say, say nothing.

Without tact you can learn nothing.

It's important to be thoughtful and mindful about the things you say to other people.

I think it's interesting to speak when you have something to say.

We give advice by the bucket, but take it by the grain.

I often regret that I have spoken; never that I have been silent.

Words must be weighed, not counted.

If you are a wise man, sitting in the council of your lord, direct your thought toward that which is wise. Be silent rather than scatter your words. When you speak, know that which can be brought against you. To speak in the council is an art, and speech is criticized more than any other labor; it is contradiction which puts it to the proof

There's a time for daring and there's a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.

Caution is crediting, and reserve in speaking, and in revealing one's self to but very few, are the best securities both of a good understanding with the world, and of the inward peace of our own minds.

You have to learn that people are always listening.

Speech is silver, silence is golden.

Listening is as important as talking. If you're a good listener, people often compliment you for being a good conversationalist.

I've learned to listen in all aspects of life, in all relationships and communications. The biggest lesson is to listen.

When you talk to the half-wise, twaddle; when you talk to the ignorant, brag; when you talk to the sagacious, look very humble and ask their opinion.

When we are in the company of sensible men, we ought to be doubly cautious of talking too much, lest we lose two good things, their good opinion and our own improvement; for what we have to say we know, but what they have to say we know not.

Listen twice as much as you speak.

I have often heard, that it is safer to hear and to take counsel, than to give it.

I suppose that people, using themselves and each other so much by words, are at least consistent in attributing wisdom to a still tongue.

If it requires great tact to speak to the purpose, it requires no less to know when to be silent.

Most of the successful people I know mostly listen, not talk.

We rarely repent of speaking little, but often of speaking too much.