"Look wise, say nothing, and grunt. Speech was given to conceal thought"

William Osler's quote, "Look wise, say nothing, and grunt. Speech was given to conceal idea", uses a somewhat negative yet insightful perspective on human communication and understanding. The expression encapsulates the concept that in some scenarios, maintaining an appearance of knowledge is more influential than actual knowledge or eloquence. Osler, a popular physician, may be discussing the shallow aspects of how people often navigate social or professional environments.

"Look sensible" suggests the significance of appearance and disposition in affecting others' understandings. This part of the quote underlines that, sometimes, appearing smart or knowledgeable can be more crucial than really having those qualities. It is a reflection on how society often values surface-level impressions.

The instruction to "say absolutely nothing, and grunt" matches this by humorously indicating that silence, or very little spoken communication, can be more efficient than speaking at length. By choosing not to speak, a private avoids revealing lack of knowledge or misunderstanding, consequently keeping an aura of mystery or authority. The act of groaning can signify standard acknowledgment, permitting others to predict their analyses onto the silent individual, hence maintaining control over the scenario.

The final part of the quote, "Speech was given to hide thought", is a paradoxical comment on the function of language. Conventionally, speech is intended to reveal concepts and facilitate understanding, but Osler suggests a contrary perspective where speech functions as a tool for preserving personal privacy of thought and objective. This view possibly cynically acknowledges the strategic use of language in human interactions, where what is left unsaid can be as effective as what is spoken.

In essence, Osler's words assess the complex characteristics of interaction, where look and the strategic use of silence play crucial roles. The quote welcomes contemplation on the balance in between revealing genuine ideas and using tactics that boost one's perceived wisdom, highlighting the complex dance of social interaction.