Source edition
Plutarch. Plutarchi Chaeronensis Moralia, Vol IΙI. Vernardakēs, Grēgorios N., editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1891.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a philosophical and moral treatise that exposes the evils of excessive talkativeness and proposes practical remedies to overcome this habit. In the first half, the author humorously depicts how talkative people alienate themselves from others by refusing to listen, and illustrates the inherent dangers of their behavior. Through various historical anecdotes and literary references, the text demonstrates how a failure to keep secrets leads to personal ruin and historical disasters. In contrast, the virtue of silence is praised through the examples of ancient sages and mythological figures. The second half of the treatise shifts toward practical therapy for curing this deeply ingrained habit. The author suggests specific exercises, such as refraining from interrupting others, pausing before answering, and avoiding topics of personal obsession, urging readers to cultivate self-reflection and discipline to master the art of silence.