By watchfulness of the mind he concentrates his thoughts; thereby he truly practises control. By watchfulness of speech he keeps free from prevarication; thereby he enables his mind to act properly.
Be silent, O thou who knowest many things! for he that speaketh little will be free from reproach on the Day of Judgment. The man of many words is deaf; no counsel does he heed like silence. …
(A man) should elevate his self by his self; he should not debase his self, for even (a man's) own self is his friend, (a man's) own self is also his enemy. To him who has subjugated his self by his self, his self is a friend; but to him who has not restrained his self, his own self behaves inimically, like an enemy.