Burrs Quote by Ron Chernow
“A prudent silence will frequently be taken for wisdom and a sentence or two cautiously thrown in will sometimes gain the palm of knowledge, while a man well informed but indiscreet and unreserved will not uncommonly talk himself out of all consideration and weight. (Alexander Hamilton's 'thesis on discretion' written to his son James shortly before his fatal duel with Burr.)”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Discretion thesis to James Hamilton, 1804
Speaking wisely and sparingly shows knowledge; reckless talk can ruin reputation.
In simple terms: Speak wisely, avoid reckless talk.
Key Takeaway
Think before you speak.
Themes
wisdom
communication
reputation
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family advice
- public speaking
- leadership
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
discretion
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you spoken too much?
- How can you balance honesty and discretion?
A Different Perspective
Even careful words can be misinterpreted; context matters.
![“[Philip's death was] beyond comparison the most afflicting of my life… He was truly a fine youth. But why should I repine? It was the will of heaven and he is now out of the reach of the seductions and calamities of a world full of folly, full of vice, full of danger, of least value in proportion…” quote by Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4d2/ron-chernow-1189_death_philip-s-death-was-beyond-comparison-the_1595076.jpg)
