If thou desire to be held wise, be so wise as to hold thy tongue

If thou desire to be held wise, be so wise as to hold thy tongue

Francis Quarles was a 17th-century English poet and writer known for his religious and moralistic works. One of his most famous quotes is, “If thou desire to be held wise, be so wise as to hold thy tongue.” This quote speaks to the importance of restraint and thoughtfulness in speech, a theme that is prevalent throughout Quarles’ writings.