Avoid all unnecessary talk during worship hours, it is your date with Krishna.
Remember "SIP or zip" which means to speak only about Guru and Krishna's Service, Instructions, or Pastimes.
Try to understand how gossip, complaining, and boasting are forms of sense gratification. Everything in relation to this world is temporary and therefore in the absolute sense, false.
Try not speaking when disturbed, wait until the dark cloud passes, and remember- it always will.
Avoid revealing your plans, unless you want to feel the pressure of everyone expecting you to do what you said you were planning to do. That is, unless there is someone who is needed to execute those plans.
It's best not to reveal past sinful activities; familiarity breeds contempt.
Avoid revealing all your mind. If necessary, go to Krishna in quiet prayer.
Avoid monopolizing a conversation; you won't learn very much
Avoid lecturing, unless you're a teacher.
It's better to say too little than too much. If there's an interest, questions from the other party will naturally pop up..
Think before speaking, have a plan what you need to say and to whom, or else keep quiet.
Quiet people save themselves a lot of trouble because whenever we speak, we set ourselves up for entanglement in some way. A not-so-good thing said may be repeated to the wrong people. Or with a single word, you suddenly find yourself obliged to yet another self created duty.
When meeting someone, general inquiries are polite. Plus it helps to remember past conversations to further inquire about.
Be a good listener; don't interrupt when another is speaking or they'll forget what they wanted to say. To do this we need to let go of being the controller. Really listen, and when the person is done, speak if there arises something in your heart worth saying.
Always speaks well of others. Remember their service, qualities and kindnesses.
Listen to how others speak. Observe the reactions created in your own self.
Listen to your self speak; do you like what you hear?
It is an art to know when and how to give advice.
It's OK to admit not knowing something.
Listen to your critics. They may be doing you a great service!
You can make a point, without being sharp.
Silence can deflate an argument or a difficult situation.
Take care to criticize errant philosophy rather than the people misled by it.
Cultivate natural tongue control by absorption in Krishna conscious daily study and meditative thought.
But when a visitor or a newcomer is near, it never hurts to say "Haribol" or a simple "Welcome" with a smile.
From the heart the mouth speaks. Fill the heart, therefore, with Krishna consciousness. Input affects output.
And then there is this growing realization that one is not his body and everything he talks about, if it relates to or brings attention to his body, is temporary and has nothing to do with the his real self, the soul. Bodily talks no longer bring happiness. Krsna katha always doe
HELPFUL QUOTES FROM SRILA PRABHUPADA
"Silence means that one is always thinking of self-realization. The person in Krishna consciousness observes perfect silence in this sense."
“Silence does not mean a devotee does not speak; silence means a devotee does not speak nonsense."
"We have facility for mixing. But don’t take advantage of this assembly and talk all nonsense- 'What is the politics?' 'What is this?' 'What is that?' that is called prajalpa. This is the secret. Always talk of Krishna, and you must know you are saving yourself. You are not dying. Because talking of Krishna means you will understand Krishna. And Krishna says, 'Anyone who understands Me rightly, then after giving up this body he comes to Me' ... You are going to live forever."
“Among the confidential activities of hearing, thinking and meditating, silence is most important because by silence one can make progress very quickly.”
“Follow the four regs, rise early, chant japa and control eating and sleeping and in 12 years whatever you say will be perfect.”
“Thus for seven days continually, Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu listened to the Vedänta philosophy expounded by Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya. However, Caitanya Mahäprabhu did not say anything and did not indicate whether it was right or wrong. He simply sat there and listened to the Bhattacarya.”
"The illusory energy of the Lord cannot take precedence, being ashamed of her position, but those who are bewildered by her always talk nonsense, being absorbed in thoughts of “It is I” and “It is mine."
“Talkativeness can be avoided by gravity and silence."
“One who is too much talkative, that means he’s lacking in devotion... he cannot talk nonsense. He has no time. He does not waste time."
“Many want to speak something to others, but because they are not trained to speak on the subject matter of Vedic wisdom they are all speaking nonsense, and people are receiving them with no sense.”
"Mauna means don’t talk rubbish. It is better not to talk than to talk foolish. So mauna is meant for them who cannot talk about Krishna. Better stop talking...But one who is devotee...He’ll talk about Krishna...Always talking about Krishna. Why he should be silent? If he remains silent, then people will not get the benefit. Let him speak always of Krishna. ..Then he’s guru."
MORE QUOTES (most unknown or misplaced sources)
“Wickedness is speaking ill about others.” - King Yudhistira
“Do not reveal the vexation of the mind, one’s wealth or disgrace in one’s family.” Canakya Pandita
"Just suppose if all that we say,
in a single day, with never a word left out,
Were printed each night, in clear black and white.
‘Twould prove queer reading no doubt.”
"If you your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care:
Of who you speak, to whom you speak, and how and when and where.
If you your ears would save from jeers, these things keep meekly hid:
Myself, and I, and mine, and my, and how I do and did."
“The spoken word so soon forgot by thee; but it has perished not;
In other hearts ‘tis living still and doing work for good or ill.”
“It is better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubts.” -Abraham Lincoln
“A fool uttereth all his mind.”
"I have made a pact with my tongue, not to speak when my heart is disturbed." -Francis de Sales
“A good answer knows when to stop”
“Think twice before you speak once.”
Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact. George Eliot
“A human being thinks twice before saying anything”
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."
"A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another’s."
“He who bears tales to you certainly bears tales about you.”
“How you speak about others speaks about yourself.”
“Never does a man portray his own character more vividly, than in his manner in portraying another.”
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”
“He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” -Bible
“Make it a rule to never say the mean thing today that can be put off until tomorrow.”
"Never say something about someone you would not say when they are around."
“The more you complain, the less you’ll obtain.”
“Keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspiration with others.”
“Speak life to others instead of death, blessings instead of curses and grumbling.”
“If you think about it, you can often get the same point across by speaking kindly and in a soft voice as you can in a harsh, stern manner. The benefit of the former is that you're more likely to get someone to listen to you and respond in a positive manner.”
"Taming my tongue has been a lifelong battle. But I'm still hopeful God can change me. The next time my tongue feels the inevitable need to speak curses, I pray I will remember to take it straight to Him. King David cursed his enemies, but he did it in prayers and psalms to God, not as gossip to his royal entourage. He knew that God could handle all his anger and shame and fear and frustration. When I let my tongue loose in God's presence alone, He can douse the fire ...pouring out of His love."
“We don’t always want answers or advice. Sometimes we just want company.”
"Silence is foolish if we are wise, but wise if we are foolish.
“If you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all.”
“Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.”
“I have never been hurt by anything I didn’t say.”
"When I want to speak, let me think first: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? If not, let it be left unsaid." -Maltbie D. Babcock
“If thou withdraw thyself from trifling conversation and idle goings about, as well as from novelties and gossip, thou shalt find thy time sufficient and apt for good meditation. The greatest saints used to avoid as far as they could the company of men, and chose to live in secret with God.”--Thomas à Kempis
“You need to learn how to separate ideas from people. If you cannot do so, then you will never be able to criticize any idea due to irrational fear of criticizing the people who thought of them.”--author unknown
“Don’t attack if you want to communicate!”
“Be careful of your thoughts: They may become words at any moment.”
"Cautiously avoid relating in one house any follies or faults you may hear or see in another."
"Never converse with strangers or mere acquaintance upon family circumstances or difference."
"Never laugh at your own remarks; it may be a very agreeable excitation, but it invariably spoils what you are saying" --Josiah R. Thompson