Chapter 20: The Not Speaking Profitless Words

191.
Words without sense, while chafe the wise,
Who babbles, him will all despise.

192.
Words without sense, where many wise men hear, to pour
Than deeds to friends ungracious done offendeth more.

193.
Diffusive speech of useless words proclaims
A man who never righteous wisdom gains.

194.
Unmeaning, worthless words, said to the multitude,
To none delight afford, and sever men from good.

195.
Gone are both fame and boasted excellence,
When men of worth speak words devoid of sense.

196.
Who makes display of idle words' inanity,
Call him not man, — chaff of humanity!

197.
Let those who list speak things that no delight afford,
"Tis good for men of worth to speak no idle word.

198.
The wise, who weigh the worth of every utterance,
Speak none but words of deep significance.

199.
The men of vision pure, from wildering folly free,
Not e'en in thoughtless hour, speak words of vanity.

200.
If speak you will, speak words that fruit afford,
If speak you will, speak never fruitless word.