When to Speak and When Not to Speak

We had seen one wise saying earlier:
नापृष्टः कस्यचिद् ब्रूयान्न चान्यायेन पृच्छतः।
जानन्नपि हि मेधावी जडवल्लोक आचरेत्।।

Don’t give unsolicited opinion or advice.
When unasked, observe silence even if you know.

Speaking further on this, there are more shlokas:
अपृष्टोऽत्राप्रधानो यो ब्रूते राज्ञः पुरः कुधीः
न केवलमसम्मानं लभते च विडंबनम्

This is particularly about when you are dealing with important people. Giving unsolicited opinion is forbidden even here, all the more important.

But when talking to important people, powerful people — avoid talking what is not important. Irrelevant topics. Avoid loose talk.

You may think you are very close to him or her. But still, be very careful. Don’t get into petty conversations. Loose talk.

These important people have a peculiar mindset. A peculiar attitude. If you don’t follow this rule, the result is not only asammanam — asammanam means lack of recognition, not giving respect — it could be even vidambanam — you might get insulted also in front of everyone.

Suddenly it might change. The mood change can be unexpected. One moment you will feel you are so close. The next moment you will end up getting insulted.

So, when dealing with important powerful people — stick to your mandate, stick to your job, stick to what is important.

वचस्तत्र प्रयोक्तव्यं यत्रोक्तं लभते फलम्
स्थायीभवति चात्यन्तं रागः शुक्लापटे यथा

Where to speak? Words are your resources. People who recognize this charge by the minute if they have to talk. Professors and teachers are paid to speak. They are paid by the hour.

Words are your resource — limited resource. Use them sparingly. Speak only if and when your words are expected to fetch results. Every word that comes out of your mouth should be relevant, should weigh. Then only people will value your words.

At the same time, whom you are speaking to is also important. There is a folk saying — don’t chant Veda mantra in the ear of a buffalo.

Speak only when there is at least hope of some result.

Dyes are applied to white clothes. So if you want to do a certain painting, the canvas should be clear and white. Then only the colours will have the required effect. For his painting to have the required effect, to create the expected impression, the artist has to carefully choose a clear white canvas — unless it is in very specific cases otherwise.

Anyway, you should have a clear idea about what reactions or responses are likely to your words. Are they desirable or not?

If you want a particular result, are you talking to the right person at the right time? Be mindful of this as well.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi