Imam Ali’s Sayings on Speech and Speaking Part 2
How many a word has taken away a blessing.
Too much talking makes the ear weary.
Excessive talking makes ones brothers fed up.
Excessive speech is such that its marginal issues are expanded and its meanings are reduced, so no end is seen for it and nobody benefits from it.
For every statement there is a reply.
One who speeks less, his sins are less.
One whose speech is less, his fault is nullified.
One who speaks that which he ought not to, hears that which he does not like.
One who makes his speech prudent proves the abundance of his merit,
One whos speech is less, his fault is nullified,
One who speaks that which he ought not to, hears that which he does not like.
One who makes his speech prudent proves the abundance of his merit.
One whos speech is good, success is in front of him.
One whose speech is bad his censure increases.
One whose speech is accompanied by modesty, corruption [and destruction] is removed from his action.
One who talks a lot increases his babble and one who jokes a lot increases his silliness.
One who does not make his speech appropriate (or is not able to bear [others] speech) does not hear beautiful words.
One whose words are eveil, his lot will be evil.
The place where speech is infixed in the heart, its repository is the mind, its strengthener is the intellect, its initiator is the tongue, its form its letters, its soul is [its] meaning, its adornment is [correct] syntax]and its order is appositeness.
Never say anything the reply for which will hurt you.
Do not speak that which you fear others will consider a lie.
Do not speak of everything you know, for that is [itself] a sufficient ignorance.
Do not look at who has spoken, look at what he has said.
Do not say that which will make your burden [of sin] heavy.
Do not speak of that which you do not know, for indeed most of the truth lies in that which you do not know.
Do not relate to the people all that you hear, for this suffices as silliness (or foolishnet).
Do not contest all that the people relate to you, for this suffices as foolishness.
Never say that which conforms vain desire, even if you say it playfully or assume it to be idle talk, for many a playful talk may alienate a freeman from you and [many] an idle talk may bring evil [consequences] upon you.
Never speak when you cannot find an appropriate sittuation to speak.
Never debate except with one who is fair and never guide anyone but the seeker of guidance.
Do not talk so much that you annoy others and do not speak so less that you fall [in the eyes of others].
Never say that which you do not do, for indeed you will never become free of the failure that attaches itself to you and the blame that you earn.
Do not say that which you do not know, for indeed allah, the Glorified, has prescribed obligations upon all your body parts which He will use as proof against you.
Let not what people say about you dishearten you, for indeed if what they say is true then it is a sin whose punishment has been expedited and if it is not true then it is [as] a good deed that you have not performed [but has been recorded in your book of deeds].
Do not be, in that which you mention, like the one who collects firewood at night or like the froth over the flood.
Do not say that which you do not know, thereby making others suspicious of your statements about what you do know.
None is careful of evil in his actions but he who is careful of evil in his speech.
Good speech is not completed except by good action.
Words are the moulds of meanings.
The elocution of a man apprises of the strength of his heart.
Speak and you will be known, for indeed a man is concealed under his tongue.
