"It is wiser to choose what you say than to say what…

“It is wiser to choose what you say than to say what you choose” is a common saying, meaning that one should think before speaking. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1968 and is of unknown authorship.

25 July 1968, The Williamson County Sun (Georgetown, NY), “Liberty Hill News” by Howard N. Wilson, pg. 4, col. 6:
That’s all the news I know for now, so I’ll leave you with this thought: “It is wiser to choose what you say than to say what you choose.”

31 July 1968, Gettysburg (PA) Times, “Quotes and Unquotes” by Former Editor of the Item, pg. 12, col. 3:
It is wiser to choose what you say than to say what you choose.

10 April 1969, Ada (OK) Weekly News, “Strayed From The Herd” by Connie Nelson, pg. 4, col. 7:
It is wiser to choose what you say than to say what you choose.

Google News Archive
3 July 1978, Milwaukee (WI) Journall, “Country Star Parton Still Down to Earth,” pt. 1, pg. 4, col. 1:
“I think it’s better to choose what you say than to say what you choose.”
(Dolly Parton.—ed.)

Google Books
Words for All Occasions
By Glenn Van Ekeren
Paramus, NJ: Prentice Hall
1988
Pg. 54:
It is better to choose what you say than say what you choose.
Anonymous

Google Books
The Complete Book of Zingers
By Croft M. Pentz
Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers
1990
Pg. 355:
It is wiser to choose what you say than to say what you choose.

Google Books
Give Me 40 Days for Healing
By Freeda Bowers
Orlando, FL: Bridge Logos
2007
Pg. ?:
It is much wiser to choose what you say than to say what you choose. —Unknown

Google Books
Powertake:
Get What You Want Without Hurting Others
By Jack Rosenfeld
Bloomington, IN: iUniverse
2010
Pg. 95:
Our common folk wisdom speaks to the need to delay. For example:
Pg. 96:
. “Look before you leap.”
. “Measure twice, cut once.”
. “A stitch in time saves nine.”
. “Stop, look, and listen.”
. “Count to ten before you say anything.”
. “It is wiser to choose what you say than to say what you choose.”