"You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you don't say"?

Question

I wantt to know what is the meaning of this quote?

Answer 1

It refers to the idea that there are moments in life when you should say something or do something , but you hesitate or you dont say it for all types of reasons.

For example you know that someone is cheating in school but you fail to tell a teacher because you are afraid to do so, EVENTHOUGH you know that cheating is wrong.

Answer 2

If I saw someone robbed or hurt by another and didnt tell the authorities I am shirking my responsibility. If a stone was falling towards your head and I didnt say "lookout there a stone falling on your head" I would be responsible for your injury to an extant. Probaly not the best answer but I tried.

Answer 3

I guess it is another way of saying that those who stand by and do nothing when they see something wrong happening are also guilty. It is sort of like a sin of omission - choosing to do nothing when you could choose to do something and make a difference.

Answer 4

There are acts of commission, what we say and do and acts of ommision, what we do not say or do. If we purposely do not act or say something when we know it will affect others, we should take the responsibility for it. If you KNOW someone will get hurt and do not warn them you are responsible.

Answer 5

If you forget to give someone an important message... well you just might get in trouble and be responsible for "what you did not say"

Answer 6

I think it's about lying by omission, or withholding information that would change people's minds if they knew. If you leave out information that matters you are responsible as if you had lied.

Answer 7

The meaning is nonsense and the second part is not true.