aphorism – a terse saying embodying a general truth

benign – not causing harm, of gentle disposition, beneficial

capricious – changing suddenly, fickle

dawdle – to waste time, to spend time idly

defamation – act of harming or ruining another's reputation

esoteric – understood only by a small group or a select few

extol – to praise, to glorify

fastidious – reflecting a meticulous or demanding attitude

furtive – secret in an underhanded way, stealthy

taciturn – quiet, not verbose