Facts are ventriloquist's dummies. Sitting on a wise man's knee they may be made to utter words of wisdom; elsewhere, they say nothing, or talk nonsense, or indulge in sheer diabolism.

Facts are ventriloquists' dummies. Sitting on a wise man's knee they may be made to utter words of wisdom; elsewhere, they say nothing, or talk nonsense, or indulge in sheer diabolism.

Facts are stupid things.

Wise men speak when they have something to say, fools speak because they have to say something

A fool is known by his speech, and a wise man by silence.

Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools speak because they have to say something

Fools talk, cowards are silent, wise men listen.

Who was it who said that a wise man speaks when he has something to say, but a fool speaks because he must?

A fool is known by his Speech; and a wise man by Silence.

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they would like to say something. As empty vessels make the loudest sounds, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.

A prudent silence will frequently be taken for wisdom and a sentence or two cautiously thrown in will sometimes gain the palm of knowledge, while a man well informed but indiscreet and unreserved will not uncommonly talk himself out of all consideration and weight.

Speak wisdom to a fool and he'll think you have no sense at all

Facts are stupid things — stubborn things, I should say.

the wise may be instructed by a fool