Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/297

Rh ourselves by way of reasoning: What manner of speech is this that is so urgent and presseth so hard to be gone? What ails my tongue, that it is so willing to be walking? What good may come by the utterance thereof? What harm may ensue by concealing it in and holding my peace? For we must not think that our words be like an heavy burden over-loading us, and whereof we should think ourselves well eased when we are discharged of them: for speech remaineth still as well when it is uttered as before: but men ought to speak either in the behalf of themselves when they stand in need of something, or to benefit others, or else to pleasure and recreate one another by pleasant devices and discourses (as it were), with salt to mitigate the painful travails in actions and worldly affairs, or rather to make the same more savoury whiles we are employed therein.

Now if a speech be neither profitable to him that delivereth it, nor necessary for him that heareth it, nor yet carry therewith any grace or pleasure; what need is there that it should be uttered? For surely, a man may as soon speak a word in vain, as do a thing to no purpose. But above and after all other good advertisements in this case, we ought always to have in readiness and remembrance this wise saying of Simonides: A man (quoth he) may repent many a time for words spoken, but never for a word kept in: this also we must think: That exercise is all in all, and a matter of that moment and efficacy, that it is able to master and conquer everything: considering that men will take great pains and be careful; yea, they will endure much sorrow for to be rid of an old cough; to chase away the troublesome yex or hicket. Besides, taciturnity hath not only this one fair property and good virtue, that (as Hippocrates saith) it never breedeth thirst; but also that it engendereth no pain, no grief nor displeasure, neither is any man bound to render an account thereof.