It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it.

The saying contrasts two social risks: being merely suspected of foolishness versus confirming it through ill-considered speech. Its point is not that silence is inherently wiser, but that speaking without knowledge, tact, or restraint can reveal one’s limitations and damage credibility. The aphorism also implies a discipline of listening and reflection—wisdom as self-control—suggesting that judgment should precede expression. In modern terms, it cautions against impulsive commentary and performative certainty: when you do not understand a topic, silence (or careful questioning) preserves dignity, while confident but uninformed talk “removes all doubt.”