Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/292

270 instructed, then he must accustom himself to repress his tongue and take some pause, allowing a competent space of time between the demand and the answer; during which silence, both the demander may have while to bethink himself and add somewhat thereto, if he list, and also the demande time to think of an answer, and not let his tongue run before his wit, and so huddle up a confused answer before the question be fully propounded: for oftentimes it falleth out that for very haste they take no heed of those things which were demanded, but answer kim-kam, and one thing for another. True it is (I must needs say) that Pythia, the priestess of Apollo's temple, is wont to give answer by oracle at the same instant that the question is demanded, yea, and oftentimes before it be asked; for why? the god whom she serveth

but among men, he that would wisely and to the purpose answer, ought to stay until he conceive the thought, and fully understand the intent of him that proposeth a question, lest that befall unto him which is said in the common proverb:

and otherwise also, if that inconvenience were not, yet are we to bridle this lavish and hasty tongue of ours, and restrain the inordinate and hungry appetite which we have to be talking; lest it be thought that we had a flux (as it were) of humours gathered a long time about the tongue, and grown into an impostume, which we are very well content should be let out, and have issue made by a question tendered unto us, and so by that means be discharged thereof. Socrates was wont in this manner to restrain and repress his thirst, after that he had enchafed his body and set himself into an heat, either by wrestling, or running, or such-like exercises; he would not permit himself to drink before he had poured out the first bucket of water that he had drawn out of the pit or well, acquainting this his sensual appetite to attend the fit and convenient time that reason appointed.

Moreover, this would be noted, that there be three kinds of answers unto interrogations; the first necessary, the second civil, and the third needless and superfluous: as, for example: If one should ask whether Socrates be within or no; he that is unwilling or not ready and forward with his tongue, would