Sa di

Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Maxim 59

I had a wound under my robe and a sheikh asked me daily how, but not where it is, and I learned that he refrained because it is not admissible to mention every member; and wise men have also said that whoever does not ponder his question will be grieved by the answer. Until thou knowest thy words to be perfectly suitable Thou must not open thy mouth in speech. If thou speakest truth and remainest in captivity, It is better than that thy mendacity deliver thee there from. THE GULISTAN OF SA'DI Translated by Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890)