Reticence Quotes

Reticence was clearly a national characteristic, even if the other person spoke French.

You know you're about as forthcoming as a mime.

Oh, tell me, who first declared, who first proclaimed that man only does nasty things because he does not know his own real interests; and that if he were enlightened, if his eyes were opened to his real normal interests, man would at once cease to do nasty things, would at once become good and noble because, being enlightened and understanding his real advantage, he would see his own advantage in the good and nothing else… . Oh, the babe! Oh, the pure, innocent child!

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Many times in life I've regretted the things I've said without thinking. But I've never regretted the things I said nearly as much as the words I left unspoken.

The post on her left was occupied by Mr. Erskine of Treadley, an old gentleman of considerable charm and culture, who had fallen, however, into bad habits of silence, having, as he explained once to Lady Agatha, said everything that he had to say before he was thirty.

There are many men in London, you know, who, some from shyness, some from misanthropy, have no wish for the company of their fellows. Yet they are not averse to comfortable chairs and the latest periodicals. It is for the convenience of these that the Diogenes Club was started, and it now contains the most unsociable and unclubbable men in town. No member is permitted to take the least notice of any other one. Save in the Stranger's Room, no talking is, under any circumstances, allowed, and three offenses, if brought to the notice of the committee, render the talker liable to expulsion. My brother was one of the founders, and I have myself found it a very soothing atmosphere.

Arthur Conan Doyle

Silence is only frightening to people who are compulsively verbalizing.

William S Burroughs

I don't think..." then you shouldn't talk, said the Hatter.

If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.

Keep your problems to yourself, if its too much for you, kill it slowly till it disappears from your life.

Michael Bassey Johnson

There should be a little gap between you and your friends, though you'll miss their companionship and you'll also miss their disrespect.

Michael Bassey Johnson

Among my most prized possessions are words that I have never spoken.

Orson Scott Card

It is always assumed by the empty-headed, who chatter about themselves for want of something better, that people who do not discuss their affairs openly must have something to hide.

Honoré de Balzac

Nothing is as irritating to a shy man as a confident girl.

Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Silence does not always mark wisdom.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

You should try not to talk so much, friend. You'll sound far less stupid that way.- Breeze

Brandon Sanderson

Never complain, never explain. Resist the temptation to defend yourself or make excuses.