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I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise…

“I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot.” quote by Abraham Lincoln
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“I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot.”

Abraham Lincoln

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Silence is rare and valuable; those who can restrain speech are uncommon today.

In simple terms: Holding your tongue is a rare skill.

Key Takeaway

Practice thoughtful restraint before speaking.

Themes

communication self-control society

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • negotiations
  • conflict resolution
  • leadership
  • personal relationships

Key Concepts

speech silence social norms

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is speaking more important than silence?
  • How does restraint affect trust?
A Different Perspective

Silence can be misinterpreted as weakness.

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