There are some people tend to silence when request from them express their opinion in a problem, or ask them to talk? When does a person resorts to silence?
The more we evolve, the less we talk and more we think.
Although silence is golden, we can greatly benefit from speech, until we evolve into more superior telepathic life forms. Talking is most needed in "vital" contexts where choosing silence, writing or any other medium is irrelevant, impractical or even dangerous.
The main functions of speech linguists define are "telling information, expressing emotions, giving orders, and making a declaration." However, their importance varies widely according to context, and diminishes gradually as civilization moves forward. The more we evolve, the less we talk and more we think.
http://raymondinegypt.tripod.com/articles-02/speech-silence.htm
sometimes, the language of silence tells louder than talking in the delivery of the human inside.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
We have an Arabic saying: "Speech is silver, silence is golden"
Possible interpretation: Speaking is good but saying nothing is better. Discretion can be worth more than even eloquent words.
Very intelligent , philosophical and logical question in everyones day-to-day life. I am not a student of psychology , but there are always two sides of every coin. In science , you need to be a silent worker , but need to be equally good salesman while expressing . Silence and aggression has to be a balanced to make you very effective in whatever field , you are working .
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
Silence is golden
Meaning
A proverbial saying, often used in circumstances where it is thought that saying nothing is preferable to speaking.
Origin
As with many proverbs, the origin of this phrase is obscured by the mists of time. There are reports of versions of it dating back to Ancient Egypt. The first example of it in English is from the poet Thomas Carlyle, who translated the phrase from German in Sartor Resartus, 1831, in which a character expounds at length on the virtues of silence:
"Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together; that at length they may emerge, full-formed and majestic, into the daylight of Life, which they are thenceforth to rule. Not William the Silent only, but all the considerable men I have known, and the most undiplomatic and unstrategic of these, forbore to babble of what they were creating and projecting. Nay, in thy own mean perplexities, do thou thyself but hold thy tongue for one day: on the morrow, how much clearer are thy purposes and duties; what wreck and rubbish have those mute workmen within thee swept away, when intrusive noises were shut out! Speech is too often not, as the Frenchman defined it, the art of concealing Thought; but of quite stifling and suspending Thought, so that there is none to conceal. Speech too is great, but not the greatest. As the Swiss Inscription says: Sprecfien ist silbern, Schweigen ist golden (Speech is silvern, Silence is golden); or as I might rather express it: Speech is of Time, Silence is of Eternity."
That fuller version - 'speech is silver; silence is golden', is still sometimes used, although the shorter form is now more common.
The same thought is expressed in a 16th century proverb, now defunct - as many present-day feminists would prefer it:
"Silence is a woman's best garment."
Silence has in fact long been considered laudable in religious circles. The 14th century author Richard Rolle of Hampole, in The psalter; or psalms of David, 1340:
"Disciplyne of silence is goed."
Wyclif's Bible, 1382 also includes the thought - "Silence is maad in heuen". [made in Heaven]
Dear all,
I
agree with all the answers becasuse are very wised.
Helena
The more we evolve, the less we talk and more we think.
Although silence is golden, we can greatly benefit from speech, until we evolve into more superior telepathic life forms. Talking is most needed in "vital" contexts where choosing silence, writing or any other medium is irrelevant, impractical or even dangerous.
The main functions of speech linguists define are "telling information, expressing emotions, giving orders, and making a declaration." However, their importance varies widely according to context, and diminishes gradually as civilization moves forward. The more we evolve, the less we talk and more we think.
http://raymondinegypt.tripod.com/articles-02/speech-silence.htm
Dear Hazim Hashim Tahir
Very well-known saying in Poland and often used ..
Indeed sometimes it's better not to say anything. Although often there is a perception that the one who says nothing, nothing to say. However, I think that often people who have a lot to say, in their wisdom say nothing.
SILENCE HAS ITS WONDER AND SO DOES SPEECH AT THE RIGHT MOMENTS - Miranda.
Be slow to speak, and only after having first listened quietly, so that you may understand the meaning, leanings, and wishes of those who do speak. Thus you will better know when to speak and when to be silent.
Saint Ignatius
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/silent.html#0V6xfgZpdV0WcDdp.99
The language of silence is the most difficult science from science of speech because it is difficult to interpret.
If silence would be gold, imagine a world of silence where nobody talks?
Cheers
Dear Qasim Mohammed Hussein,
I can not tell the difference between them. People must be able to silence and must be able to speak.
Regards, Shafagat
Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.
Plato
To speak is sometimes 'gold', sometimes 'silver', sometimes 'iron' (e.g. hard talk), ....?
The phrase "silence is golden" is even further magnified when we are silent at the right time in the right situation e.g. during heated arguments among different parties etc. For example, dong that will not expose your weaknesses or foolishness etc at the same time you can remain calm to think what is the best way to address an issue. However, we need to have the "self-control" not to be influenced to lose the cool & say something inappropriate.
We can say anything we want but there is possibility the words spoken might or might not bring the positive outcome that we want as this will interpret differently by different people. Moreover, words said can't be recalled / ignored in which damage can be greater than the golden silence. This doesn't mean that we need to keep silence all the time i.e. we need to voice our opinion / keep silence at the right time at the right place.
Sometimes, silence can help us get your point across better than speaking
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
Muhammad Ali
one must express only when they have something valuable to contribute
Dear all,
Good day,
Yes, @ Behrouz , for this case "Silence is golden".
Regards
iT DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION. IN GENERAL, WE ALL PEOPLE KNOW THAT EVERYTHING HAS GOOD AND BAD. SO, in my personal opinion, silence has good and bad characteristics.
Dear Marcel,
Your answer is a bon mot but the situation of keeping silence is much more complicated.
Dear All,
Silence means to be indifferent, to gain some time, to mask ignorance or a manifestation of splendid isolation. By the way, situation and circumstances may determine the silence as an answer like that of Simon and Garfunkel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjfeYbNquUI
Dear All,
Talking, writing, voting, gesture are all different forms of expressions of ideas some one has to covey. People may prefer one from the other because of personality or upbringing and cultures. In societies where talking is seen as a bad behavior, other forms are used to express self. A student who is quite in class room may be good at understanding concepts and answering tests in writing as he believes that is what matters at the end. Some people do not like to participate in open group talking unless they are specifically identified and called to give their opinions, and others do not give even a time for others but keep on talking, as if the others are there only to listen. Listening is also a virtue, it is when we listen we learn and know what we do not know or not aware off, talking only offers what we know.
But what is not right is when some one is not willing to express his/her ideas in any form.
Timing is everything! .There are times for silence and times to speak, discuss or present ideas
He who does not know how to be silent will not know how to speak.
Ausonius
"The water in a vessel is sparkling; the water in the sea is dark. The small truth has words which are clear; the great truth has great silence."
Rabindranath Tagore
Why all of a sudden you've stopped talking about you? Why I am speaking and you do not listen to me anymore?.
THE VOICE OF SILENCE; yet there is a concert, old notes have nicely composed already new music..
THE VOICE OF SILENCE: yet there is a storm, loud sounds pleasantly muffled come up here.
Ierardi Enzo, Italian Reasercher and song writer and singer as hobby
Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.
Leonardo da Vinci
The wise man tends to silence more than talk. A silence sometimes more eloquent than words. There is no good in silence for judgment, and it is no good to say ignorance.
Real Story: In a 3rd world country, a leader "who engaged his country in a long war with a neighboring country" was meeting with his top military officers. The leader asked the officers to express their views freely & to stop fears in his presence. He added: I vow & it is my sincere promise to value high any brave officer who suggests a working solution to end this war". An officer raised his hand & then stood up to say: Dear Sir, the enemy does not want ceasefire unless you resign. So pretend resigning, then comes ceasefire, and then return back to the top post. The leader requested from the officer to stand in a certain place in the hall & then asked the officers who supported the suggestion to stand next to him. Afterwards, the leader took his revolver & shot the suggesting officer and those who joined him. Silence would have saved their lives since in the presence of a tyrant dictator, talking does not bring any advantage but only adds insult to injury.
I agree with what's been said. There are advantages and disadvantages of silence depending on its contexts, circumstances, timing and delivery.
Silence is a powerful mode of communication, when aptly used. For instance, silence is golden when:
- Some wise ideas were conveyed punctuated by a pause of silence to highlight their importance and give time to the listener for reflection and processing;
- Silence can prepare the listener for listening to the speaker;
- Speech is merely the noise of some words and actions speak louder than words, etc.
Silence is inappropriate, when:
- Crucial information or explanation is needed at the moment;
- An emergent situation requires immediate instructions or responses;
- Evil things happen, while good people don't speak up against them, but remain silent, etc.
It depends on the situation, At times, it is better to listen, think, and be silent.
Choose silence of all virtues, for by it you hear other men's imperfections, and conceal your own. - George Bernard Shaw
The saying is true "The empty vessel makes the greatest sound." - William Shakespeare, Henry V (Act IV, scene 4)
Dear Dr. Hussein,
I agree with all significations of silence mentioned here. As for me, I usually become silent when 1) I don't feel organized enough to express myself, 2) I don't have expertise or enough experience in such areas, 3) I want to show respect to other people's viewpoints, so I listen only, 4) I'm afraid my expressive responses may offend others especially in cross cultural encounters, and 5) I just simply don't know what to say.
Best regards,
Cameen
Dear all,
Each thing in its place, yes @ Marcel, we cannot imagine our world in silent.
Best regards
In some cases, Silence may lead to the loss of right and justice.
Dear Colleagues:
Some politicians of my country often repeat the following saying:
'Man is slave to his words and master of his silence'
If this is true, I would say all them live in slavery.
I think silence is good in many circumstances, especially when we mean something with it consciously. It is also the proper attitude when we lack an opinion.
Prof. Nizar Matar's story illustrates the kind of situations where silence is 'good' from an adaptive point of view --as a means to protect us--, but negative for society (I know what this means, since I was a university student during the military dictatorship that made 'disappear' 30 thousand people between 1976 and 1983) ..
If silence is the most desirable behavior, what is the meaning of the principle of 'freedom of expression'?.
Dictators want precisely that we are all silent or say only what they want to hear.
The citizen who is silent on key issues and events of her or his society is consenting --implicitly endorsing-- the decisions made by others.
The member of a political community is, in a sense, slave of his silence.
Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.
--- Leonardo da Vinci
Dear All,
Many people are very noisy and always listen to radio or watch TV because they are afraid to be alone with their thoughts or cannot tolerate the lack of thoughts.
Moderation!. Neither very talkative not very silent
“It is not easy to keep silent when silence is a lie.”
― Victor Hugo
Listening to the radio or television, it can also mean that drown out your own conscience. Inner voice that tells us what we did wrong. We do not want anyone to tell us that what we are doing is bad for others. That is why it is good to say nothing.
Regards
As with many proverbs, the origin of this phrase is obscured by the mists of time. There are reports of versions of it dating back to Ancient Egypt. The first example of it in English is from the poet Thomas Carlyle, who translated the phrase from German in Sartor Resartus, 1831, in which a character expounds at length on the virtues of silence:
"Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together; that at length they may emerge, full-formed and majestic, into the daylight of Life, which they are thenceforth to rule. Not William the Silent only, but all the considerable men I have known, and the most undiplomatic and unstrategic of these, forbore to babble of what they were creating and projecting. Nay, in thy own mean perplexities, do thou thyself but hold thy tongue for one day: on the morrow, how much clearer are thy purposes and duties; what wreck and rubbish have those mute workmen within thee swept away, when intrusive noises were shut out! Speech is too often not, as the Frenchman defined it, the art of concealing Thought; but of quite stifling and suspending Thought, so that there is none to conceal. Speech too is great, but not the greatest. As the Swiss Inscription says: Sprecfien ist silbern, Schweigen ist golden (Speech is silvern, Silence is golden); or as I might rather express it: Speech is of Time, Silence is of Eternity."
That fuller version - 'speech is silver; silence is golden', is still sometimes used, although the shorter form is now more common.
It is important to not be as famous figures of monkeys who do not speak, can not hear and can not see.
So always let us think what we say and do not always let us say what we think.
Sometimes action speaks louder than words. But, sometimes we choose silence as the path of least resistance or our silence can mean consent. Then again, some of us make our opinions so widely known that it appears we speak for the rest of us. All in all whether we remain silent or speak, we still send a message.
DF
I agree with dear Cecelia Lewis Kausel. In some places, the claim is that there is freedom of expression but the actual practice is that any statement ,you say, could be used against you or it may be re-formulated to become against you. You will be surprised by the effort done, by spies, to collect your every statement when you are targeted. In such places, silence is a better choice while not forgetting to draw the straight line next to the wrong line by actions & not by words.
IS SILENCE GOLDEN?
There is an old adage which says, "Silence is golden." But is it always so? I recently ran across this statement: "Silence is not always golden --sometimes it is just plain yellow!" That really struck me as worthy of further thought.
Certainly "silence is golden" at times. There are times when silence pays rich dividends. Solomon said: "The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin". (Pro. 13:3). Surely the kind of silence here advised, the control of one's tongue, is "golden" indeed. Peter tells us: "Let him who means to love life and see good days refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile." (1Pet. 3:10). Silence is certainly "golden" when compared to speaking evil. How wonderfully "golden" the "silence" would be if all whispering, gossip, backbiting, lying, slander and such like could be forever stopped. Perhaps all of us need to give more attention to our speech.
"Silence is golden" also when one is restrained and careful in her speech. There are times when one can say more by being silent. Too many times we may be guilty of saying too much. The multiplicity of words is much in evidence today. No doubt Solomon had reference to such when he wrote: "He who restrains his words has knowledge... [and] even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is counted prudent." (Prov. 17:27-28). It must be agreed that there are times when "silence is golden".
http://www.theexaminer.org/volume8/number1/editor.htm
Dear all,
Yes, @ Behrouz, "silence is golden" at some times.
Best regards
It depends on the situation. If you have in mind the quote "See, hear and don't talk", sometimes that tactic can even save your life!
But if we discuss about scientific problems, then silence is not helpful for the evolution, because what you think to be correct and you don't tell it, probably another person can prove it false.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
Silence is golden
Meaning
A proverbial saying, often used in circumstances where it is thought that saying nothing is preferable to speaking.
Origin
As with many proverbs, the origin of this phrase is obscured by the mists of time. There are reports of versions of it dating back to Ancient Egypt. The first example of it in English is from the poet Thomas Carlyle, who translated the phrase from German in Sartor Resartus, 1831, in which a character expounds at length on the virtues of silence:
"Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together; that at length they may emerge, full-formed and majestic, into the daylight of Life, which they are thenceforth to rule. Not William the Silent only, but all the considerable men I have known, and the most undiplomatic and unstrategic of these, forbore to babble of what they were creating and projecting. Nay, in thy own mean perplexities, do thou thyself but hold thy tongue for one day: on the morrow, how much clearer are thy purposes and duties; what wreck and rubbish have those mute workmen within thee swept away, when intrusive noises were shut out! Speech is too often not, as the Frenchman defined it, the art of concealing Thought; but of quite stifling and suspending Thought, so that there is none to conceal. Speech too is great, but not the greatest. As the Swiss Inscription says: Sprecfien ist silbern, Schweigen ist golden (Speech is silvern, Silence is golden); or as I might rather express it: Speech is of Time, Silence is of Eternity."
That fuller version - 'speech is silver; silence is golden', is still sometimes used, although the shorter form is now more common.
The same thought is expressed in a 16th century proverb, now defunct - as many present-day feminists would prefer it:
"Silence is a woman's best garment."
Silence has in fact long been considered laudable in religious circles. The 14th century author Richard Rolle of Hampole, in The psalter; or psalms of David, 1340:
"Disciplyne of silence is goed."
Wyclif's Bible, 1382 also includes the thought - "Silence is maad in heuen". [made in Heaven]
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/silence-is-golden.html
Thomas Carlyle quotes:
"As the Swiss inscription says: Sprechen ist silbern, Schweigen ist golden, - "Speech is silver, silence is golden;" or, as I might rather express it, Speech is of Time, Silence is of Eternity".
Why did god give me two ears and one mouth? So that I will hear more and talk less!
Leo Roston
Sometimes, remaining silent is a wise decision! It can avoid some conflicts and negative discussion.
Yes, Hazim, Behrouz, and Subhash, there is a time for different things: a time to remain silent; a time to speak up; a time to ask questions and discuss things, etc.
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
Jalal ad-Din Rumi quotes (Persian Poet and Mystic, 1207-1273):
“Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.”
Thanks for sharing Jalal ad-Din Rumi's quote. It sounds much better in Persian!
Silence is the great teacher, and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it. There is no substitute for the creative inspiration, knowledge, and stability that come from knowing how to contact your core of inner silence
Deepak Chopra
Well-timed silence is the most commanding expression.
Mark Helprin
Dear Colleagues,
No matter what language sounds better,
important that it is understood by all.
Regards
Dear all,
Good day,
"All noise is waste. So cultivate quietness in your speech, in your thoughts, in your emotions. Speak habitually low. Wait for attention and then you low words will be charged with dynamite. "
~Elbert Hubbard
Best regards
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
"History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people."
---- Martin Luther King, Jr.
'There's all the difference in the world between having something to say, and having to say something.'
-John Dewey
“He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.”
― Elbert Hubbard
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
"Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom."
----- Francis Bacon
Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact.
- George Eliot, Impressions of Theophrastus Such
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
"Silence is the speech of love,
The music of the spheres above."
----- RICHARD HENRY STODDARD, Speech of Love
Dear colleagues, I agree with the statements Subhash and Marcel and Hazim.
Dear colleagues,
"There is nothing. With a stranger there is much to say. With friends, nothing to say.
And the silence becomes heavy because you are not accustomed to it. You don’t know what the music of silence is. You know only one way of communicating and that is verbal, through the mind. You don’t know how to communicate through the heart, heart to heart, in silence. You don’t know how to communicate by just being there, through your presence."
http://www.oshonews.com/2013/04/the-language-of-silence/
Regards,
The language of silence is a mark of:
- Wisdom (as in "silence is golden")
- Respect ( as in "observing a minute of silence")
- Looming or impending tragedy (as in "all silent on the Western front")
- Humility (as in Wittsgenstein's prescription "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent." (Tractatus 7)")
- Emotional inadequacy (as in the "the sound of silence")
- The inception of war ( as in "cutting communications" or "excommunication")
Dear Shian-Loong Bernard Lew,
Excellent! Many versions of silence. I like it.
Thanks!
Dear all,
"Under all speech that is good for anything there lies a silence that is better. Silence is deep as Eternity; speech is shallow as Time."
Thomas Carlyle
Regards
There is a silence where hath been no sound,
There is a silence where no sound may be,
In the cold grave under the deep, deep sea,
Or in wide desert where no life is found,
Which hath been mute, and still must sleep profound.
Thomas Hood,
The Pause; that impressive silence, that eloquent silence, that geometrically progressive silence which often achieves a desired effect where no combination of words, however so felicitous, could accomplish it.
Mark Twain
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
"In silence man can most readily preserve his integrity".
------- Meister Eckhart
“He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.”
― Elbert Hubbard
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