Chapter 20: Avoidance of Pointless Speech

Verse 193
A man tires his friends with an overly long discourse. The sun crosses the sky, telling us he has talked endlessly from morning to night. His friends are showing signs of boredom. One slips away, another yawns while yet another goes to sleep.

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Weaver’s Wisdom

Verse 191

Everyone is disgusted by a man
who offends one and all with meaningless chatter.

Verse 192

Uttering useless words to crowds is worse
than committing unkindnesses toward companions.

Verse 193

A long and pointless discourse itself declares
to all the speaker’s lack of worth.

Verse 194

Worthless words are doubly unprofitable: the listeners’
enjoyment is lost, and the speaker’s own virtues vanish.

Verse 195

Prestige and popularity flee the best of men
the moment they speak inane and useless words.

Verse 196

Do not call him a man who enjoys displaying
his own empty words. Rather, call him the chaff of men.

Verse 197

Let the wise, if they deem it necessary, speak even unpleasant
words, but it is good if they always refrain from pointless speech.

Verse 198

Even in search of extraordinary gains, the wise
will never speak trivial or ungainful words.

Verse 199

The wise, faultless and free from ignorance,
never utter pointless words, even forgetfully.

Verse 200

In your speaking, say only that which is purposeful.
Never utter words that lack purpose.