Keep Quiet: The Golden Virtue
To keep quiet is esteemed as a great virtue. Embedded in the ancient proverb: “Speech is silvern and silence is golden,” this sentiment gained traction in the 19th century. Even literary giant Thomas Carlyle alluded to it as a Swiss gem in Sartor Resartus (1831). Variants have surfaced, like Ogden Nash’s delightful twist: “Silence is golden, but sometimes invisibility is golder” (I Never Even Suggested It, 1938).
Synonyms & Antonyms
- Synonyms: Quietude, Muted, Reticent, Succulent silence, Tranquillity
- Antonyms: Gabby, Verbose, Garrulous, Loquacious, Clamorous
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “Saying nothing… sometimes says the most.” ― Emily Dickinson
- “Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.” — Alan Dundes
Related Expressions & Proverbs
- Zip it!
- Hold one’s tongue.
- Bite your tongue.
- Mum’s the word.
- Shhh!
- “Loose lips sink ships.”
- “Still waters run deep.”
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, & Movies
- Literature: Sartor Resartus - Thomas Carlyle
- Books: The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere - Pico Iyer
- Songs: “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
- Poetry: “Silence” by Edgar Lee Masters
- Movies: A Quiet Place (2018)
### Which of these is part of the proverb about silence being a virtue?
- [x] Speech is silvern and silence is golden
- [ ] Silence is pleasurable, so they say
- [ ] Silence brings the best luck
- [ ] Silence, they're watching
> **Explanation:** "Speech is silvern and silence is golden" is the commonly known proverb suggesting that saying nothing is often preferable.
### Which phrase suggests the importance of not speaking?
- [x] Hold one's tongue
- [ ] Open the floodgates
- [ ] Shout from the rooftops
- [ ] Make a grand entrance
> **Explanation:** "Hold one's tongue" is an idiom that means to keep silent or not to speak, often to avoid saying something inappropriate or out of place.
### True or False: 'Still waters run deep' denotes that silence can often mean depth or complexity.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True, "Still waters run deep" implies that those who are quiet or reserved can often possess profound insight or depth of character.
### Continuation of "Zip it" would likely mean:
- [x] Keep silent
- [ ] Loose your belts
- [ ] Start dancing
- [ ] Sing loudly
> **Explanation:** "Zip it" is a modern colloquial way to tell someone to be quiet or stop talking.
### True or False: Being 'Gabby' is synonymous with being reticent.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False, being 'gabby' means being chatty or talkative, which is the opposite of being reticent or reserved.
Inspirational Farewell: “In a world overflowing with noise, cherish the golden silence that fosters deeper understanding and profound connections. As Rumi beautifully said, ‘Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.’ Until we meet again in the mesmerizing world of words, may your silent moments be golden.”
- W. T. Wittywords
