20 ¹ There is a reproof which is not timely;
and there is a man who keeps silent but is wise.
20 ² How much better it is to reprove than to stay angry!
And the one who confesses his fault will be kept from loss.
20 ⁴ Like a eunuch's desire to violate a maiden
is a man who executes judgments by violence.
20 ⁵ There is one who by keeping silent is found wise,
while another is detested for being too talkative.
20 ⁶ There is one who keeps silent because he has no answer,
while another keeps silent because he knows when to speak.
20 ⁷ A wise man will be silent until the right moment,
but a braggart and fool goes beyond the right moment.
20 ⁸ Whoever uses too many words will be loathed,
and whoever usurps the right to speak will be hated.