Cato practiced the kind of public speech capable of moving the masses, believing proper political philosophy takes care like any great city to maintain the warlike element. But he was never seen practicing in front of others, and no one ever heard him rehearse a speech. When he was told that people blamed him for his silence, he replied, āBetter they not blame my life. I begin to speak only when Iām certain what Iāll say isnāt better left unsaid.ā āPlutarch, CATO THE YOUNGER, 4
- Being able to word things in a way that can move masses is powerful skill and a great responsibility. Our words can evoke emotion, infuse passion, engage determination, and sometimes even trigger actions. This skill should be used wisely and with moderation. The same way our actions can have consequences, so can our words.
- "I begin to speak only when I'm certain what I'll say isn't better left unsaid". This is so powerful. Not every thought or idea is meant to be said; we may feel better after saying it, but that's just self-indulgence. Conversely, some things ought to be said, and eloquence can make the difference between something that is heard, and something that is listened to.
- In that sense, maybe we have a secret duty to practice our speech skills so to give justice to these ideas that ought to be said when they need to be said.
- I relate to this one quite as bit, although I tend to be on the other side. How to determine that something ought to be said? Speaking out about injustices? Defending the powerless?
- I would argue that some ideas ought to be shared but we donāt know it yet. They may have life changing beneficial effects to someone else. But thatās just a prospect, a speculation. Maybe some things are just too powerful not to be said, and we would know. In the meantime, if weāre not certain that what we are going to say is meaningful and worth saying, maybe we should just refrain from saying it.
- As the old French proverb says: āturn your tong 20 times in your mouth before saying somethingā.