I

February    22nd

WHAT’S  BETTER  LEFT    UNSAID

“Cato   practiced   the kind    of  public  speech  capable of  moving  the masses, believing   proper

political   philosophy  takes   care    like    any great   city    to  maintain    the warlike element.    But he  was

never   seen    practicing  in  front   of  others, and no  one ever    heard   him rehearse    a   speech. When    he

was told    that    people  blamed  him for his silence,    he  replied,    ‘Better they    not blame   my  life.   I

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

—PLUTARCH,  CATO    THE YOUNGER,     4

t’s easy to act—to just dive in. It’s harder to stop, to pause, to think: No, I’m not sure I need to do that
yet. I’m not sure I am ready. As Cato entered politics, many expected swift and great things from him
—stirring speeches, roaring condemnations, wise analyses. He was aware of this pressure—a pressure
that exists on all of us at all times—and resisted. It’s easy to pander to the mob (and to our ego).
Instead, he waited and prepared. He parsed his own thoughts, made sure he was not reacting
emotionally, selfishly, ignorantly, or prematurely. Only then would he speak—when he was confident that
his words were worthy of being heard.
To do this requires awareness. It requires us to stop and evaluate ourselves honestly. Can you do that?