--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you speak evil, you will soon be worse…" description: "\"If you speak evil, you will soon be worse spoken of.\" — Hesiod" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/hesiod-2889_evil_if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse_99037.jpg" --- # If you speak evil, you will soon be worse spoken of. ![“If you speak evil, you will soon be worse spoken of.” quote by Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/hesiod-2889_evil_if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse_99037.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/hesiod-2889_evil_if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse_99037.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/hesiod-2889_evil_if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse_99037.jpg) > “If you speak evil, you will soon be worse spoken of.” [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Speaking malevolently invites retaliation, leading to a reputation that mirrors the negativity expressed. **In simple terms:** Evil speech breeds a bad reputation. Key Takeaway Negative words attract negative perception. Themes ethics communication reputation Mood cautionary serious Type proverb moral lesson When to use this quote - politician delivering hostile rhetoric - online commenter using insults - leader confronting criticism with aggression Key Concepts karma social feedback loops Practical Applications - practice mindful language - respond with empathy Questions to Reflect On - What distinguishes harmful evil speech from necessary critique? - Can a reputation be repaired after negative remarks? A Different Perspective In some contexts, assertive criticism can be constructive rather than harmful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Evil Soon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil-soon-1206555/) [Gossip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gossip/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Soon Worse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soon-worse-1206557/) [Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak/) [Speak Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-evil-472964/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Worse Spoken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worse-spoken-1206556/) ## Related quotes > [That which is evil is soon learned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ray/that-which-is-evil-is-soon-learned/) [John Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ray/) > [evil soon makes tools out of those who don't hate it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-murdoch/evil-soon-makes-tools-out-of-those-who-don-t-hate-it/) [Iris Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-murdoch/) > [Chilo advised, "not to speak evil of the dead."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/chilo-advised-not-to-speak-evil-of-the-dead/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [“To speak evil' is to speak this fateful, paradoxical situation that is the reversible concatenation of good and evil. That is to say that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baudrillard/to-speak-evil-is-to-speak-this-fateful-paradoxical-situation-that-is/) [Jean Baudrillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baudrillard/) > [As for monkeys, I would have five, and they would be named: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, Do Pretty Much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/as-for-monkeys-i-would-have-five-and-they-would-be-named-see-no-evil/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [“Speak of evil, and you summon it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-carson/speak-of-evil-and-you-summon-it/) [Rae Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-carson/) > [Be thou good thyself, and let people speak evil of thee; it is better than to be wicked, and that they should consider thee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/be-thou-good-thyself-and-let-people-speak-evil-of-thee-it-is-better/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [“There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, it doesn't behoove any of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/there-is-so-much-good-in-the-worst-of-us-and-so-much-bad-in-the-best/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [Save your skin from the corrosive acids from the mouths of toxic people. Someone who just helped you to speak evil about another person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/save-your-skin-from-the-corrosive-acids-from-the-mouths-of-toxic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil but then also do no evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-abraham/hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil-see-no-evil-but-then-also-do-no-evil/) [Amit Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-abraham/) > [See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Rohypnol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carr/see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil-rohypnol/) [Jimmy Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carr/) > [While extremely sensitive as to the slightest approach to slander, you must also guard against an extreme into which some people fall, who, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/while-extremely-sensitive-as-to-the-slightest-approach-to-slander-you/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [Don't mind those who speak evil behind you. They are behind you for a reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-mind-those-who-speak-evil-behind-you-they-are-behind-you-for-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Speak not evil of the absent for it is unjust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/speak-not-evil-of-the-absent-for-it-is-unjust/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Don't speak evil of someone if you don't know for certain, and if you do know ask yourself, why am I telling it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/don-t-speak-evil-of-someone-if-you-don-t-know-for-certain-and-if-you/) [Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/) ## More by Hesiod > [Gain not base gains; base gains are the same as losses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/gain-not-base-gains-base-gains-are-the-same-as-losses/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Aegis-bearing Zeus has a design for each occasion, and mortals find this hard to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/aegis-bearing-zeus-has-a-design-for-each-occasion-and-mortals-find/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [The best is he who calls men to the best. And those who heed the call are also blessed. But worthless who call not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/the-best-is-he-who-calls-men-to-the-best-and-those-who-heed-the-call/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Inhibition is no good provider for a needy man, Inhibition, which does men great harm and great good. Inhibition attaches to poverty, boldness to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/inhibition-is-no-good-provider-for-a-needy-man-inhibition-which-does/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Potter is jealous of potter, and craftsman of craftsman; and the poor have a grudge against the poor, and the poet against the poet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/potter-is-jealous-of-potter-and-craftsman-of-craftsman-and-the-poor/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Preserve the mean; the opportune moment is best in all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/preserve-the-mean-the-opportune-moment-is-best-in-all-things/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [The potter is at enmity with the potter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/the-potter-is-at-enmity-with-the-potter/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [But he who neither thinks for himself nor learns from others, is a failure as a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/but-he-who-neither-thinks-for-himself-nor-learns-from-others-is-a/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Justice prevails over transgression when she comes to the end of the race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/justice-prevails-over-transgression-when-she-comes-to-the-end-of-the/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [“It is best to work, at whatever you have a talent for doing, without turning your greedy thought toward what some other man possesses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/it-is-best-to-work-at-whatever-you-have-a-talent-for-doing-without/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/i-see-no-hope-for-the-future-of-our-people-if-they-are-dependent-on/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Do not let a flattering woman coax and wheedle you and deceive you; she is after your barn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/do-not-let-a-flattering-woman-coax-and-wheedle-you-and-deceive-you/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [In the race for wealth, a neighbor tries to outdo his neighbor, but this strife is good for men. For the potter envies potter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/in-the-race-for-wealth-a-neighbor-tries-to-outdo-his-neighbor-but/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [The Gods rank work above virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/the-gods-rank-work-above-virtues/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Bacteria: The only culture some people have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/bacteria-the-only-culture-some-people-have/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) [Explore all 146 Hesiod quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) ## More Evil quotes > [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-done-out-of-love-always-takes-place-beyond-good-and-evil/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to \[be\] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be-evil-has-to-be-confronted-and/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-evil-which-does-me-no-harm-is-like-the-good-which-in-no-wise/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) [James Nayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nayler/) > [The politician attempts to remedy the evil by increasing the very thing that caused the evil in the first place: legal plunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-politician-attempts-to-remedy-the-evil-by-increasing-the-very/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“Water is so friendly when you have it on your palms, but so evil when they have you on theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/water-is-so-friendly-when-you-have-it-on-your-palms-but-so-evil-when/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [THE ART OF PEACE is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/the-art-of-peace-is-not-easy-it-is-a-fight-to-the-finish-the-slaying/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) [Browse all 11,163 Evil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you speak evil, you will soon be worse spoken of.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hesiod" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse-spoken-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Evil" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse-spoken-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/hesiod-2889_evil_if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse_99037.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/hesiod-2889_evil_if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse_99037.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1f/hesiod-2889_evil_if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse_99037.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you speak evil, you will soon be worse spoken of.” — Hesiod", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Hesiod", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you speak evil, you will...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse-spoken-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse-spoken-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```