I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot.

The speaker presents self-restraint in speech as a rare virtue. By admitting he is “inclined to silence,” he frames reticence not as timidity but as a deliberate discipline: withholding words can be wiser than producing them. The second clause turns into social commentary—modern life rewards talkativeness, yet the truly “unusual” person is the one who can “hold his tongue.” The quote thus praises discretion, patience, and the ability to avoid needless conflict or self-incrimination. It also implies a moral hierarchy: speech is easy and common; silence, when chosen, signals judgment and character.