--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let a fool hold his tongue and he will…" description: "\"Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage.\" — Publilius Syrus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/publilius-syrus-594_fool_let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-p_658307.png" --- # Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage. ![“Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage.” quote by Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/publilius-syrus-594_fool_let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-p_658307.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/publilius-syrus-594_fool_let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-p_658307.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/publilius-syrus-594_fool_let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-p_658307.png) > “Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage.” [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Keeping silence can make a foolish person appear wise, as speech often reveals folly. **In simple terms:** Silence can hide foolishness. Key Takeaway Speak wisely, or stay silent. Themes communication wisdom perception Mood thoughtful cautious Type advice observational When to use this quote - negotiations - public speaking - conflict resolution - leadership Key Concepts social perception self‑presentation Questions to Reflect On - When does silence help versus hurt? - How can you gauge when to speak? A Different Perspective Silence may also be misinterpreted as indifference or lack of insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Sage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sage/) ## Related quotes > [A fool cannot hold his tongue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/a-fool-cannot-hold-his-tongue/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [IF words come out of the heart, they will enter the heart, but if they come from the tongue, they will not pass beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-suhrawardi-essential-sufism/if-words-come-out-of-the-heart-they-will-enter-the-heart-but-if-they/) Al-Suhrawardi (Essential Sufism > [Love a fool or let a fool love you, but don't let love fool you:)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/punkinhead-abhishek/love-a-fool-or-let-a-fool-love-you-but-don-t-let-love-fool-you/) [Punkinhead Abhishek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/punkinhead-abhishek/) > [Let a FOOL hug you but don't let a HUG fool you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/let-a-fool-hug-you-but-don-t-let-a-hug-fool-you/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [Let a fool be made serviceable according to his folly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/let-a-fool-be-made-serviceable-according-to-his-folly/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [Never let a fool kiss u and never let a kiss fool u.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sniper-alpacino/never-let-a-fool-kiss-u-and-never-let-a-kiss-fool-u/) Sniper Alpacino > [In life it's okay to let a fool kiss you, it's okay to kiss a fool, but never let a kiss fool you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/in-life-it-s-okay-to-let-a-fool-kiss-you-it-s-okay-to-kiss-a-fool-but/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Never let a fool kiss you, or a kiss fool you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-let-a-fool-kiss-you-or-a-kiss-fool-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dont let them fool you, people make time for whats important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-let-them-fool-you-people-make-time-for-whats-important/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“He is a fool to let you go. No, I'm the fool for not hearing him when he told me in no uncertain terms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genna-rulon/he-is-a-fool-to-let-you-go-no-i-m-the-fool-for-not-hearing-him-when/) [Genna Rulon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genna-rulon/) > [In life it is okey to let a fool kiss you, it's okey to kiss a fool, but don't let a kiss fool you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-life-it-is-okey-to-let-a-fool-kiss-you-it-s-okey-to-kiss-a-fool/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [... you must hasten to oppose pernicious pride of mind, before it penetrates into the marrow of your bones. Resist it, curb the quickness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-scupoli/you-must-hasten-to-oppose-pernicious-pride-of-mind-before-it/) [Lorenzo Scupoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorenzo-scupoli/) > [Don't let them fool ya, or even try to school ya! Oh, no! We've got a mind of our own, so go to hell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/don-t-let-them-fool-ya-or-even-try-to-school-ya-oh-no-we-ve-got-a/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [“Let's fool around." "And then?" he asked, voice low. "When it's time, take blood, and then let's fuck." He gave a surprised burst of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/let-s-fool-around-and-then-he-asked-voice-low-when-it-s-time-take/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Let the fool hug you but never let the hug fool you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boky/let-the-fool-hug-you-but-never-let-the-hug-fool-you/) Boky ## More by Publilius Syrus > [Even speed, when we are anxious, seems like delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/even-speed-when-we-are-anxious-seems-like-delay/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [The coward regards himself as cautious, the miser as thrifty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/the-coward-regards-himself-as-cautious-the-miser-as-thrifty/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [It is his nature, not his standing, that makes the good man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/it-is-his-nature-not-his-standing-that-makes-the-good-man/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [It is more tolerable to be refused than deceived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/it-is-more-tolerable-to-be-refused-than-deceived/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Modesty once lost, never returns into favour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/modesty-once-lost-never-returns-into-favour/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [One ungrateful person does an injury to all needy people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/one-ungrateful-person-does-an-injury-to-all-needy-people/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [He has existed only, not lived, who lacks wisdom in old age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/he-has-existed-only-not-lived-who-lacks-wisdom-in-old-age/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Any plan is bad which is incapable of modification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/any-plan-is-bad-which-is-incapable-of-modification/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [The evil you do to others you may expect in return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/the-evil-you-do-to-others-you-may-expect-in-return/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [The power of habit is very strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/the-power-of-habit-is-very-strong/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Take care that no one hates you justly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/take-care-that-no-one-hates-you-justly/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Poverty wants much; but avarice, everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/poverty-wants-much-but-avarice-everything/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [He who has plenty of pepper will pepper his cabbage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/he-who-has-plenty-of-pepper-will-pepper-his-cabbage/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Hasty conclusions lead to speedy repentance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/hasty-conclusions-lead-to-speedy-repentance/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [When reason rules, money is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/when-reason-rules-money-is-a-blessing/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) [Explore all 455 Publilius Syrus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) ## More Fool quotes > [Do I look like a fool to you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamika-leeigh/do-i-look-like-a-fool-to-you/) [Tamika-leeigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamika-leeigh/) > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [There are various orders of beauty, causing men to make fools of themselves in various styles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/there-are-various-orders-of-beauty-causing-men-to-make-fools-of/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [“Not wise, perhaps, to be rude to the Pope's favorite son, but my viper tongue still required a fool now and then on which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-quinn/not-wise-perhaps-to-be-rude-to-the-pope-s-favorite-son-but-my-viper/) [Kate Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-quinn/) > [He's a fool that marries; but he's a greater fool that does not marry a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wycherley/he-s-a-fool-that-marries-but-he-s-a-greater-fool-that-does-not-marry/) [William Wycherley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wycherley/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [A fool and his money get a lot of publicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-bernstein/a-fool-and-his-money-get-a-lot-of-publicity/) [Al Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-bernstein/) > [There are different kinds of fire; there is false fire. No one knows this better than we do, but we are not such fools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-booth/there-are-different-kinds-of-fire-there-is-false-fire-no-one-knows/) [William Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-booth/) > [Every man must wear out at least one pair of fools shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-derr-biggers/every-man-must-wear-out-at-least-one-pair-of-fools-shoes/) [Earl Derr Biggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-derr-biggers/) > [If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wc-fields/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-try-try-again-then-quit-no-use-being-a/) [WC Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wc-fields/) > [There is nothing that we can properly call our own but our time, and yet everybody fools us out of it who has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/there-is-nothing-that-we-can-properly-call-our-own-but-our-time-and/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [I'd be a fool to be in this for the money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benny-hinn/i-d-be-a-fool-to-be-in-this-for-the-money/) [Benny Hinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benny-hinn/) > [It is a fool of a shepherd who culls his dogs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefferson-smith/it-is-a-fool-of-a-shepherd-who-culls-his-dogs/) [Jefferson Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefferson-smith/) > [Prefer to be defeated in the presence of the wise than to excel among fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/prefer-to-be-defeated-in-the-presence-of-the-wise-than-to-excel-among/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A mistake doesnt make you a fool, but denying it surely makes you one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/a-mistake-doesnt-make-you-a-fool-but-denying-it-surely-makes-you-one/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) [Browse all 5,535 Fool quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Publilius Syrus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-pass-for-a-sage/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fool" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-pass-for-a-sage/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/publilius-syrus-594_fool_let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-p_658307.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/publilius-syrus-594_fool_let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-p_658307.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/publilius-syrus-594_fool_let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-p_658307.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage.” — Publilius Syrus", "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": "Publilius Syrus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Let a fool hold his tongue...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-pass-for-a-sage/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/let-a-fool-hold-his-tongue-and-he-will-pass-for-a-sage/#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 } } ] } ```