Silence

Omit needless words.

William Strunk Jr. The Elements of Style, 1918

One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.

Will Durant

Avoid Company where it is not profitable or necessary; and in those Occasions speak little, and last…Some are so Foolish as to interrupt and anticipate those that speak, instead of hearing and thinking before they answer; which is uncivil as well as silly…Speak properly, and in as few Words as you can, but always plainly; for the End of Speech is not Ostentation, but to be understood.

William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude, 1693

No surplus words or unnecessary actions.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 3.5

Never write if you can speak; never speak if you can nod; never nod if you can wink.

Martin Lomasney, Boston politician

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