Samuel Butler

Silence is not always tact, and it is tact that is golden, not silence.

Silence is not always tact, and it is tact that is golden, not silence.

For as our modern wits behold,
Mounted a pick-back on the old,
Much farther off, much further read more

For as our modern wits behold,
Mounted a pick-back on the old,
Much farther off, much further he,
Rais'd on his aged Beast, could see.

With books and money placed, for show
Like nest eggs, to make clients lay,
And for his read more

With books and money placed, for show
Like nest eggs, to make clients lay,
And for his false opinion pay.

Beside, he was a shrewd philosopher,
And had read ev'ry text and gloss over
Whate'er the crabbed'st read more

Beside, he was a shrewd philosopher,
And had read ev'ry text and gloss over
Whate'er the crabbed'st author hath,
He understood b' implicit faith.

For truth is precious and divine;
Too rich a pearl for carnal swine.

For truth is precious and divine;
Too rich a pearl for carnal swine.