M5:1176 — مرد کم گوینده را فکرست زفت / قشر گفتن چون فزون شد مغز رفت

Rumi here uses the metaphor of a nut's kernel and shell to illustrate the relationship between speech and thought. The 'man of few words' (مرد کم گوینده) is someone who speaks sparingly, but whose silence is not emptiness; rather, it is a sign of a 'vast mind' (فکرست زفت), rich with contemplation and inner understanding. Conversely, when the 'shell of speech' (قشر گفتن) — the outward, superficial aspect of words — 'grows' or becomes excessive, the 'kernel' (مغز), which represents the true essence, meaning, and wisdom, 'departs' or is diminished.

This idea is deeply rooted in Sufi thought, where silence (خاموشی) is often seen as a prerequisite for spiritual insight and a sign of inner fullness. It's not just about economy of words, but about the quality of inner processing. Just as a nut with a thick, empty shell offers little sustenance, a person who talks too much often reveals a lack of deep, nourishing thought. The preceding verses (M5:1174-1175) also support this, stating that 'speech is the expenditure of the mind's kernel' and urging one to 'spend less so the fresh kernel remains.'