close vs closed

A wise head makes a ____ mouth. (A) close (B) closed
Which choice is correct, A or B?
Thanks a lot for your reply.

Hi,

It would be ‘closed’ but it sounds an odd sentence to me. I suppose it would sound better as: A wise head keeps its mouth closed??

Alan

It’s correct as “close mouth”, or at least was:

A Compleat Collection of English Proverbs: Also the Most Celebrated Proverbs …

Compiled by John Ray
Published 1817
Printed for T. and J
. Allman [etc.]
308 pages
Original from the University of Michigan

Page 116:

Wise men are caught in wiles.
A wise head makes a close mouth.
Some are wise and others are otherwise.

From the same book:

“A close mouth catcheth no flies.”

Here’s an alternative:

“A wise head makes a still tongue.”

Is this proverb still used today?[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEFL listening discussions: Why does the student need money?[YSaerTTEW443543]