Is silence the virtue of fools?

Question

Should we follow the philosopher Francis Bacon's maxim:

"Silentia stultorum virtus" (silence is the virtue of fools).

Or instead take our cues from the nursery rhyme:

A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

Answer 1

I don't think it's just silence but what the person is doing in lieu of speaking. If they are listening, then perhaps they are wise, if they neither speak nor listen then they are fools.

Answer 2

Naturally (being what I am) I would have to gravitate toward the second maxim! It's quite true that the more one listens, the more one is listened to! In other words, people vastly appreciate someone who actually listens to what they say.

It's a magic that I don't spread abroad too much that if you want someone to fall in love with you, just ask them to tell you their story - and listen to it without either condemnation or approval! People love approval and expect condemnation - if they get neither (or maybe just a little approval), they are non-plussed and become very interested in the listener.

Answer 3

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I think silence is a virtue. In the case of fools, it's probably a double gift, since it keeps them from being found out as fools, and keeps the rest of us safe from their words :-P

Answer 4

exactly the opposite, once a very wise Jewish rabbi commented, "I couldn't find a better remedy for the body than silence" besides, there is a famous phrase that says "it's better to be silent and let everybody think that you are stupid than open your mouth and let everybody BE SURE that you are stupid"
:-)

Answer 5

Really like your question! "Silence is golden--it often speaks volumes" Wisdom comes down to knowing when to speak up and when to shut up'