Never write if you can speak; never speak if you can nod; never nod if you can wink.

Quote of the Week 41

“Never write if you can speak;
 never speak if you can nod;
 never nod if you can wink.”

― attributed to Martin Lomasney

  

Variant:

“Never write if you can speak;
 never speak if you can nod;
 never nod if you can blink.” 

 

Extended version:

“...; never wink if you can do nothing.”

 

Modern variant:

“Never write when you can talk.
 Never talk when you can nod.
 And never put anything in an e-mail..” 
― attributed to Eliot Spitzer 

 

 

Abbreviated variant:
 

“Don’t write when you can talk;
 don’t talk when you can nod your head.”

― Martin Lomasney

 

Long variant:

“Don't write anything you can phone.
 Don't phone anything you can talk.
 Don't talk anything you can whisper.
 Don't whisper anything you can smile.
 Don't smile anything you can nod.
 Don't nod anything you can wink.”
― Earl Long