Trying to impress people with words will often have the counter effect, they will see you as a common fool who is out of control – even if what you are saying is important. Such is the fate of him who opens his mouth too much and thereby puts himself at the mercy of the listener. Oysters open completely when the moon is full and when the crab sees one it throws a piece of stone or seaweed into it and the oyster cannot close again so that it serves the crab for meat. The people of Rome celebrated in the streets when he had gone, more than they ever have before. The patricians intervened and changed his sentence to eternal exile from the city that he loved. He insulted the people yet again, and this time, they wanted him dead. The previously revered hero later spoke to them again, this time speaking calmly at first, but then suddenly losing all control over his speech. The people demanded an apology for what he said. He even denounced the notion of democracy, insisting that the patricians should assume full control. This created even more resentment towards him. One day, after the Romans received a shipment of grain that was going to be fed to the people, Coriolanus publicly stood against this decision, saying it would lead to trouble. In reaction to the results of the election, he turned against the people. They decided to vote against him that day.
His arrogance and attitude conveyed him as a despicable braggart to the common people. His speech consisted of jokes that only the patricians understood, and he was arrogantly claiming victory in the elections before it occurred.
But on the day of the election, he committed a grave error.
And when the elections came around, he was almost guaranteed to win. In fact, when he publicly displayed his scars to them while making a speech, they grew in admiration for his bravery. Being a military hero of ancient Rome, there was no shortage of reasons for the people to adore him. Greene’s example of this law’s transgression involves an Italian soldier known as Coriolanus. He avoided making many mistakes by simply not running his mouth. He kept his responses brief and poignant, he said very little, but thought very much about what he said. When he matured, he conducted himself in the complete opposite manner. But he learned that this was a futile, even counterproductive strategy. He used to take pride in his verbal skills and would flaunt them at every opportunity. King Louis XIV of France was very eloquent as a young man.
But when you say too much, you will likely suffer the repercussions. Remaining silent or saying only few words makes you sound more profound and mysterious. When it comes to speech, less is more, and more is less. Law 4: Always Say Less than Necessary Coriolanus
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