Except that it robs you of who you are,
What can you say about speech?
Inconceivable to live without,
And impossible to live with,
Speech diminishes you.
Speak with a wise man, there'll be
Much to learn; speak with a fool
All you get is prattle.
Strike a half-empty pot, and it'll make
A loud sound; strike one that is full,
Says Kabir, and hear the silence.
--Kabir (1440-1518)
translated from the Hindi by Arvind Krishna Mehrotra
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