Note 358 — Chapter XI · THE BETRAYER OF LORD EDWARD FITZGERALD[284]
Reading edition
Some said of Smith that he was 'cracked with larnin',' and his chat deserved that Irish compliment. 'Your phrase "Still waters run deep" seems happy in its application to Magan. There is also an Irish proverb of which it reminds me:—
Well rendered by the Latin, seemingly a mediæval rhyme—
"Audi, vide, tace: Si vis vivere in pace."
and almost literally translated by the French—
"Oys, vois, et te taise, Si tu veux vivre en paix."
Magan was not dumb, but he knew well probably when to hold his tongue.'—Letter of the late J. Huband Smith, M.R.I.A., June 5, 1866.