The best way to lose weight is to close your mouth - something

“The best way to lose weight is to close your mouth — something very difficult for a politician. Or watch your food — just watch it, don’t eat it.”
Thus spoke Ed Koch, the spirited mayor of New York City, whose wit concealed deep truths about both human nature and the art of self-control. Though his words are cast in humor, they carry the weight of wisdom. Behind the jest lies a lesson older than any city and greater than any one man: that discipline, whether of the body or of the tongue, is the foundation of mastery. Koch, a man who lived amidst the noise of politics and power, understood that the hardest battle is not against one’s rivals, but against one’s own appetites — for the mouth that consumes too freely, whether in food or in speech, soon brings ruin upon the self.

To “close your mouth” is more than an instruction for dieting — it is a call to restraint, to the ancient virtue of temperance. The philosophers of old, from Socrates to Seneca, taught that indulgence in pleasure leads to decay of both the body and the mind. But restraint, though difficult, preserves dignity and strength. Koch, in his humor, exposes how hard this truly is, especially for those whose power depends on words. The politician’s mouth is his weapon and his weakness — it wins him favor, yet can destroy him through pride. Thus, the saying reminds us that moderation is a virtue not only of appetite but of expression.

The second half of Koch’s jest — “watch your food — just watch it, don’t eat it” — deepens this wisdom with irony. To “watch” something and deny oneself its pleasure is to confront the essence of desire. In that act lies the heart of all self-discipline: to stand before temptation and smile, knowing that victory is found not in taking, but in refusing. Such restraint is the mark of inner strength, the same quality that defines great leaders, thinkers, and saints. For every excess, whether of food, power, or speech, demands a reckoning — and the wise man learns to stop before the reckoning begins.

In the ancient world, King Solomon wrote, “He that hath no rule over his spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” This is the same truth that Koch cloaked in laughter. The one who cannot govern his own impulses — whether of hunger or pride — cannot hope to govern a household, a city, or a nation. Koch, ever the politician, knew the danger of words spoken in haste, promises made in vanity, and indulgences justified in the name of success. His humor, therefore, is a mirror — showing that the lack of restraint, even when small, becomes the seed of greater downfall.

Consider the tale of Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome, who ruled one of the greatest empires the world has ever known. Surrounded by luxury, he chose a life of simplicity. He ate modestly, spoke sparingly, and governed with calm. In his journal, he wrote: “Do not be overheated in eating or speaking.” These few words echo through the centuries, for they carry the same spirit as Koch’s jest. The discipline that guards the mouth — from both gluttony and idle talk — is the discipline that preserves wisdom and power.

Yet there is warmth in Koch’s humor, not condemnation. He laughs at the human condition because he understands it. To close one’s mouth is easy advice, yet difficult in practice — for hunger and habit are strong companions. He admits, with self-awareness, that even the wise and the powerful struggle against their desires. In this way, his jest becomes an act of humility, reminding us that the path of restraint is one walked by all, regardless of station or title. The laughter he evokes is not cruel, but cleansing — the laughter of recognition.

So, let this teaching be passed down:

1. Restrain the mouth, and you master the self. The body obeys the will when the will is strong.

2. Speak less, and listen more. Wisdom hides in silence as much as folly hides in noise.

3. Laugh at your own weakness, for humor lightens the burden of discipline.

4. Practice moderation, for it is the foundation of freedom.

Thus, the wit of Ed Koch joins the lineage of ancient sages who taught through jest and paradox. His laughter carries the weight of truth — that the mouth, so small a part of man, governs both appetite and destiny. To close it is to reclaim control; to open it wisely is to speak life; to open it unwisely is to invite ruin. So learn, O listener, to master the mouth — for in that mastery lies not only the key to health and happiness, but the doorway to peace itself.