know that silence in its proper place may be more beneficial than communicating logic in its proper place and when the opportunity arises. this is your silence in the presence of someone who knows that you did not remain silent about him out of weakness or fear. so let what you see of the many scandals of speakers when the opportunity is not available and the idle chatter of someone who lets his tongue loose without need increase your desire for silence.
واعلم أن الصمت في موضعه ربما كان أنفع من الإبلاغ بالمنطق في موضعه، وعند إصابة فرصته. وذاك صمتك عند من يعلم أنك لم تصمت عنه عيا ولا رهبة. فليزدك في الصمت رغبة ما ترى من كثرة فضائح المتكلمين في غير الفرص، وهذر من أطلق لسانه بغير حاجة.