Louis XIV (the very same he who would banish Darling Nicky) was legendary for being extremely taciturn; he kept his thoughts, opinions, and fears to himself, revealing his decision only in deed.\u00a0 After agonizing over matters of state, his advisors would finally settle on a few alternatives to present to the French king, and reportedly his only response would be \u201cI shall see.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His advisors discovered the king\u2019s decision at the same time as the rest of the country.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant aspect of Louis XIV\u2019s power lie in being inscrutable; no one could predict his motives\/moves until they were revealed by his actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA person who cannot control his words cannot control himself, and is unworthy of respect.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1825 the czar of Russia crushed a rebellion and sentenced one of its leaders to the gallows.\u00a0 When the man fell through trapdoor the rope broke; at that time such a fortuitous event was seen as divine providence, with the condemned usually pardoned and set free.\u00a0 As the leader rose to his feet (thinking he had been saved) he shouted to the crowd:\u00a0 \u201cYou see!\u00a0 In Russia they cannot do anything properly!\u00a0 Not even make rope!\u201d\u00a0 As the czar prepared to sign the pardon, he asked if the man had said anything after his failed hanging.\u00a0 After a clerk repeated the declaration, the pardon was torn up.\u00a0 \u201cIn that case,\u201d said the czar, \u201clet\u2019s prove the contrary.\u201d\u00a0 The rebel was successfully executed the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perversely, however, one can use logorrhea to an advantage, by making it seem as though a person is weak and indecisive. People often distrust silence \u2013 makes them uncomfortable \u2013 and consider a word-reserved individual to be untrustworthy. \u201cBeware the quiet ones.<\/em>\u201d In certain circumstances it may be necessary to disarm others with words, and deflect one\u2019s true intentions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lesson? Words are weapons; use them sparingly, skillfully, and with purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Or feel free to ramble. Eventually, people will stop listening anyway. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Louis XIV (the very same he who would banish Darling Nicky) was legendary for being extremely taciturn; he kept his thoughts, opinions, and fears to himself, revealing his decision only in deed.\u00a0 After agonizing over matters of state, his advisors would finally settle on a few alternatives to present to the French king, and reportedly … <\/p>\n