Gregory the Great, on Eccl 3:7

“A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”

“The tongue, therefore, should be discreetly curbed, not tied up fast. For it is written, "A wise man will hold his tongue until the time," in order, assuredly, that when he considers it opportune, he may relinquish the censorship of silence and apply himself to the service of utility by speaking such things as are fit. And again it is written, "A time to keep silence and a time to speak." For, indeed, the times for changes should be discreetly weighed, lest either, when the tongue ought to be restrained, it run loose to no profit in words, or, when it might speak with profit, it slothfully restrain itself. Considering which thing well, the psalmist says, "Set a watch, O Lord, on my mouth, and a door round about my lips."”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.