Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice

Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice

In William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," the character Polonius offers his son Laertes some sage advice before he embarks on his journey to France. One of the most famous lines from this speech is "Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice." This piece of advice is not only relevant to Laertes' situation but also holds true in many aspects of life.

The advice to "give every man thine ear" suggests that one should listen to others and be open to hearing different perspectives. In the context of the play, Polonius is cautioning Laertes to be a good listener and to consider the advice and opinions of others before making decisions. This is a valuable lesson for all of us, as listening to others can help us gain new insights, broaden our understanding, and make more informed choices.

On the other hand, the advice to "but few thy voice" emphasizes the importance of being selective about when and how we speak. In the play, Polonius is warning Laertes not to be too quick to share his thoughts and opinions, as doing so can sometimes lead to trouble. This advice is particularly relevant in today's world, where social media and instant communication have made it easy to share our thoughts with a wide audience. Being mindful of when and how we speak can help us avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and unnecessary drama.