Ecclesiasticus on shutting up (Sir 20:5-8)
The Latin:
Est tacens qui invenítur sápiens: et est odíbilis qui procax est ad loquéndum.
Est tacens non habens sensum loquélæ: et est tacens sciens tempus aptum.
Homo sápiens tacébit usque ad tempus: lascívus autem et imprúdens non servábunt tempus.
Qui multis útitur verbis lædet ánimam suam: et qui potestátem sibi sumit iniúste, odiétur.
The English:
There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.
There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.
A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.
He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.
