Never Speak Too Much

You talk too much.

We all do.

You justify.
You explain.
You overshare on dates.
You raise your voice in meetings.
You say things you regret five seconds later.

Why?

Because silence is uncomfortable.

Because ego hates voids.

Because talking feels like control.

But it’s not control.
It’s leakage.
It’s power draining through your lips.

Cato the Younger, the most Stoic of the Stoics, used to say this:

“I only speak when I’m certain what I’ll say isn’t better left unsaid.”

This quote is the foundation of Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power’s most famous chapter:

Always say less than necessary.

Understand: Every extra word is a risk.

The deal you almost closed?
Lost because you shared the price at the wrong time.

That personal detail you shared?
Now that chick will use it against you.

You’ve felt it:

The regret that hits mid-sentence.

The “why the f*ck did I say that?”

It’s the impulse to clean up what your mouth just messed up.

The Stoics had a word for that: undigested speech.

Zeno said it’s better to trip with your feet than with your tongue.

And he was right…

Bruises heal faster than reputations.

Remember that.

So what’s the fix?

Say less than necessary. Always.

The Spartans mastered it. One word answers. Total control.

Their silence was strength. Their restraint was intimidation.

Because when you only talk so much…

People will do whatever they can to earn a few extra words from you.

And when you speak?

Everyone will listen.

You want to be respected?
Restrain your voice.

You want to stand out?
Cut the noise.

In a world addicted to chatter, silence is power.
Use it.

See you tomorrow,

Ioannis

PS. Another great Stoic meme (still laughing 🤣 )