Desire Quote by Francis Quarles
“If thou desire to be held wise, be so wise as to hold thy tongue.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Wise Tongue" (1625) in *Divine Poems*
Advises that wisdom is shown by restraint and thoughtful speech.
In simple terms: Wise people speak less.
Key Takeaway
Practice mindful silence.
Themes
wisdom
speech
self‑control
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- negotiations
- public speaking
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Stoicism
rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- What benefits arise from holding your tongue?
- How can you convey wisdom without speaking?
A Different Perspective
Silence can be misread as indifference.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
