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25

Σκιδναμένασ ἐν στήθεσιν ὄργασ
μαψυλάκαν γλῶσσαν πεφυλάχθαι. [transcription]

When anger spreads through the breast keep thy tongue from barking foolishly (or idly).

 

When anger surges through thy heart
Let not thy foolish tongue take part.

This piece of somewhat sentenious advice is of an unusual type amongst the Sapphic fragments. It is quoted by Plutarch in his essay "On Restraining Anger."


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