October 4, 2025

Most men make little other use of their speech than to give evidence against their own understanding.

Lord Halifax (1633–1695), English politician, Political, Moral & Miscellaneous Thoughts & Reflections (1750) ‘Of Folly and Fools’, Jay p.165

How often has your gift of gab—a prerequisite for every politician—got you into trouble? Are you capable of keeping custody of your own mouth?

Better to keep quiet than to reveal yourself as a meathead. But don’t feel put down. Everyone is a meathead from time to time, this writer included. Note the dates! As to the photo, this is not the Halifax who was a contemporary of W. Churchill.