“Before I speak, I have something important to say.”

“Wise men speak when they have something to say, fools speak because they have to say something”

Aristotle (-384–-321 BC) Classical Greek philosopher, student of Plato and founder of Western philosophy

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”

Plato (-427–-347 BC) Classical Greek philosopher

“I would have stage-fright if I had to speak with every one of the people before whom I speak.”

Karl Kraus (1874–1936) Czech playwright and publicist

“Everything I know and I am and I have seen felt done past present past now then before now seen felt done hurt felt focus into a something beyond words beyond beyond beyond and it speaks now and it says.
Stay.
Fight.
Live.
Take it.”

James Frey book A Million Little Pieces

““For a word to be spoken,” Ged answered slowly, “there must be silence. Before, and after.” Then all at once he got up, saying, “I have no right to speak of these things. The word that was mine to say I said wrong. It is better that I keep still; I will not speak again. Maybe there is no true power but the dark.””

Ursula K. Le Guin (1929–2018) American writer

“Students, when you want to say something, think about it three times before you say it. Speak only if your words will benefit yourselves and others. Do not speak if it brings no benefit.”

Dogen (1200–1253) Japanese Zen buddhist teacher

“I have to speak out because I am very much a part of the party hierarchy. And I have received tremendous response from the grassroots who feel that I am saying something right.”

Muhyiddin Yassin (1947) Home Affairs Minister of Malaysia

“I'm very, very blessed. But my safety, my privacy, and my respect are three things that I feel like are trying to be taken away from me right now. As a mother I have to speak up and say something. I have to speak up.”

Britney Spears (1981) American singer, dancer and actress

“There's no reason to speak. I have nothing to say.”

Julie Anne Peters (1952) American writer