discretion quotes

I’ve… been accused of being involved with every man I’m ever seen with or worked with. Maybe I have, maybe I ain’t. I never tell if I have.

I don’t let the left hand know what the right hand is doing.

Whoever wishes to keep a secret must hide the fact that he possesses one.

If I have the chance to say something, I will say it – but that doesn’t obligate me to always say something, or to shed light on every problem, as if I were a lawmaker.

I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion.

I would be loath to speak ill of any person who I do not know deserves it, but I am afraid he is an attorney.

No one knows who is listening, say nothing you would not wish put in the newspapers.

Discretion of speech is more than eloquence, and to speak agreeably to him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words, or in good order.

Great is our admiration of the orator who speaks with fluency and discretion.

He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees.

The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.