In a person's life, the word is extremely important. Every one of those who won was attentive to their words.…

In a person's life, the word is extremely important. Every one of those who won was attentive to their words. All those who lost treated their words carelessly. Whoever values his own word, everyone values him. Whoever tramples his own word underfoot ends up underfoot. “Chatterbox” is the most unpleasant name. “A person of few words” is one of the best qualities. Let us mention some rules of speaking. First, it is desirable for a person to speak about what he knows. Speaking about what he does not know lowers a person's standing. Second, let a person speak even what he knows only in the place where it is most needed. Sometimes the truth also becomes a cause of oppression. Not all justice and mercy in this world come about through truthfulness; in some cases a lie serves good. Therefore it is not appropriate for a person to keep saying everything on the grounds that he is speaking the truth. Third, by guarding the honor of others a person guards his own honor. It is better to refrain from words that drag people's reputations into the dirt. True care for people means not hurting their hearts with one's tongue and not trampling on their dignity. Fourth, answering the question asked and not going into excessive detail is considered a good virtue. Fifth, a person who speaks kindly, being considerate even of his own child, stays on the winning side. Giving free rein to one's tongue on the grounds that so-and-so is close to me leads to losing those who are close. If with words one can lure a snake out of its hole, then with beautiful and meaningful speech hearts are conquered and goals are achieved. Sixth, no better conduct has been seen in experience than not answering those who use insulting words. When someone accuses a person of all kinds of faults, rightly or wrongly, and rains down arrows of words, the wisest solution is to leave that place in silence. For good words have no effect on an ignorant person, and bad words are contrary to good character. Sixth, no greater dignity has been discovered than being able to keep silent in the face of much reproach and accusation. No nobler character has been found than walking away silently from baseless talk. There is no sight as pitiful as talking too much, false posturing, and babbling on as if to say, look at my intelligence and my knowledge. If words are used only at the moment they are needed, they bring one to the goal very quickly; if they are used without need, then when one is in need, no benefit comes from words. One who is master of his words is master of himself, that is, he bows his head to no one else. The word that leaves the tongue is either an enemy or a friend. If it rings out in vain, it is your enemy, because it has been wasted; if it is used in the right place, the word is at your service for life.

Akrom MALIK