“When a wise man does not understand, he says: "I do not understand."”
Frank Herbert book The Godmakers
The fool and the uncultured are ashamed of their ignorance. They remain silent when a question could bring them wisdom.
The Godmakers (1972)
“I distrust a man that says when. If he's got to be careful not to drink to much it's because he's not to be trusted when he does.”
— Dashiell Hammett, book The Maltese Falcon
Chap. 11, "The Fat Man"
Dialogue between the characters Kasper Gutman (the "fat man") and Sam Spade.
Source: The Maltese Falcon (1930)
Context: "We begin well, sir," the fat man purred … "I distrust a man that says when. If he's got to be careful not to drink too much it's because he's not to be trusted when he does. … Well, sir, here's to plain speaking and clear understanding. … You're a close-mouthed man?"
Spade shook his head. "I like to talk."
"Better and better!" the fat man exclaimed. "I distrust a close-mouthed man. He generally picks the wrong time to talk and says the wrong things. Talking's something you can't do judiciously unless you keep in practice."
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Dashiell Hammett39
American writer 1894–1961Related quotes
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