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Arabic · Arabic scriptProverb: Verified

«كُتْرِ الْكَلَامْ يِعَلِّمِ الْغَلَطْ»

Meanings

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Meaning: Verified
English translation

The more you talk, the more you slip.

Literal wording

Much talk teaches error.

Meaning and lesson

Talking at great length multiplies the chances of saying something wrong. The verb here does not mean that talk instructs anyone; heavy talk breeds mistakes, so the more words a person pours out, the more likely one will be inaccurate, tactless, or harmful.

The saying warns toward restraint, faulting excess and careless speech rather than speech itself; it is not praise of silence in every case. It advises speaking only as much as needed, since constant chatter exposes a speaker to slips a more sparing talker would avoid.

When it is used

Fits moments when someone rambles, overexplains, or keeps talking after making their point, especially where a careless word could cause trouble. It can serve as friendly advice before a delicate conversation, or as a wry comment after someone's long talk produced a blunder.

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