If it were needful to say anything further to persuade men to learn
this lesson of silence, one might put them in mind how insignificant
they render themselves by this excessive talkativeness: insomuch
that, if they do chance to say anything which deserves to be
attended to and regarded, it is lost in the variety and abundance
which they utter of another sort.

The occasions of silence then are obvious, and one would think
should be easily distinguished by everybody: namely, when a man has
nothing to say; or nothing but what is better unsaid: better,
either in regard to the particular persons he is present with; or
from its being an interruption to conversation itself; or to
conversation of a more agreeable kind; or better, lastly, with
regard to himself. I will end this particular with two reflections
of the Wise Man; one of which, in the strongest manner, exposes the
ridiculous part of this licentiousness of the tongue; and the other,
the great danger and viciousness of it. When he that is a fool
walketh by the way side, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to
every one that he is a fool. {10} The other is, In the multitude of
words there wanteth not sin. {11}

As to the government of the tongue in respect to talking upon
indifferent subjects: after what has been said concerning the due
government of it in respect to the occasions and times for silence,
there is little more necessary than only to caution men to be fully
satisfied that the subjects are indeed of an indifferent nature; and
not to spend too much time in conversation of this kind. But
persons must be sure to take heed that the subject of their
discourse be at least of an indifferent nature: that it be no way
offensive to virtue, religion, or good manners: that it be not of a