Is silence always be golden? Or is it a sign of being coward?

Question

When is the time to speak? And when is the time not to speak?
There are many reasons for keeping silent. Some people keep silent because they don’t trust themselves. The ignorant keep quiet because they don’t want to display their ignorance. Evil people don’t speak out for fear of exposing themselves. We also know of the silence of he lazy, the timid, the disinterested, the contemptuous, the antagonistic, the silence that comes from being spellbound or awestruck, the silence of reverence and adoration.
There is even a silence where only the eyes speak. There is also an ominous, threatening silence – or as Schleiermacher calls it – “silence in seven languages.”
The German classical poet Goethe writes: “Whoever keeps silent has fewer worries.” The reason people hide under their tongues.
The popular saying that “Speech is silver, but silence is golden” is a half truth which hides many pitfalls.

Answer 1

To everything there is a season,,,, a time to speak and a time to keep silent. Sometimes silence is wisdom,,, when there are a lot of people yelling and shouting, arguing and debating,, it can be chaos in which nobody is listening, so why waste more words to only add to the din? sometimes we may be in a small group that is trying to make a decision, and if it is not a major decision that is going to really change anyone's life,, like which restaurant to go to, we can be silent and let someone else choose. If someone has made a minor error, that won't make much difference, and if they are embarrassed, and trying to correct it,, sometimes it is best to be silent. At 3 AM when the family and neighbors are sleeping, unless there is a fire or something,,, this is not the time to crank up the stereo and set off fireworks, not all silence is necessarliy verbal silence. When you get up at night to go to the bathroom,,,, tiptoe and don't flush unless you have to.

On the other hand, there is a saying,, "all it takes for evil to prevail is the silence of good men". If there is an injustice going on, we must speak out. We must speak for those who have no voice themselves, as advocates too. We have a duty, as citizens of a democracy, to speak through our votes. We have a duty to teach the young ones right from wrong. We have a duty to speak out against abusiveness by authorities. Sometimes we must take a stand and say "ENOUGH!"

Yes, there are 'pregnant' silences too, when someone just looks at you, or when something so overwhelming happens that one is 'struck dumb'.

wisdom is often knowing when to speak and act, and when to be silent and still

Answer 2

silence is golden, only at times , useless arguments etc, however , by being silence small groups who can make a lot of noise can get things did to their favor against the silent majority, such as the enviormental groups, and I do think they have did a lot of good but also some things bad, that hurts a lot to people, and they have caused a lot of good for our country and a lot of bad and sometimes it is hard to distinguish which is the most they do good or bad because not enough people will say, and make a stand, so if someone won't make a stand for for what the believe in they won't stand for anything, which is really sad

Answer 3

It really derives from thee mid 12th century in Europe. Where if you spoke wrongfully of others or made open comments with no proven facts of evidence you could be held liable and fined fees or have items taken away ..even lands...Thats where the line "Silence is Golden " came to be!! Fear would keep the common man down who had limited knowledge and coins. The wealthy would keep their "GOLD"...so to speak!!As you said many pitfalls to this meaning!!!

Answer 4

Silence is golden. Often times the one who speaks the loudest is the coward.
Marinate on that

Answer 5

There are many people who think silence is consent. That is why we must always let others know when we don't agree with their politics, religion, etc. Even when you are the only one who does disagree, you must not be afraid to challenge the majority.

The reality is that the loudest are not always in the majority.

Answer 6

The popular saying that “Speech is silver, but silence is golden” is a half truth which hides many pitfalls. for one i'am not in agree ment with "is a half truth which hides many pittfalls" from my perspective 'one's silence avoids many pitfall. cost two cents reward one point...

Answer 7

Silence is Golden refers to knowing when to speak..
another good quote is "silence is the most powerful expression"

Answer 8

or maybe you can just speak when you actually know what the hell you're talking about , and until then let the silence be golden and shut up
besides you learn through listening and if you're not "silent" then how are you listening?

Answer 9

Some may think it is terribly odd or old-fashion but we have a conscience which tells us what is right or wrong. Being a punching bag of accepting any kind of abuse hurts both the abuser and the abused. So that is when you have to make noise.

Answer 10

Golden
When it is a secret.
Or when tact is beneficial.
Or when you just don't know what you are talking about.
Also Brevity is the soul of whit.

a cowards silence only protects the guilty.
You fear no retaliation if you don't seek your mind, but you will never get what you want either.