Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not when others stop.

Those base men who speak of the secret faults of others destroy themselves like serpents that stray onto anthills.

Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.

A man's character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation.

I will not look at another's bowl intent on finding fault: a training to be observed.

Oysters open completely when the moon is full; and when the crab sees one it throws a piece of stone or seaweed into it and the oyster cannot close again so that it serves the crab for meat. Such is the fate of him who opens his mouth too much and thereby puts himself at the mercy of the listener.