What does this phrase mean?

Question

When they are silent, they shout!

Answer 1

Silence can be a response in its own right.
Imagine an audience in a theatre.At the end of the play there is silence-no applause.It would be a complete thumbs down to the performance and in no uncertain terms.
The silence was deafening-is another well worked phrase meaning exactly the same thing.
You might also apply this say to a group of deprived and neglected children whom one would normally expect to be playing and making noise.
Imagine them silent and morose.
Silence can make its own statement

Answer 2

“When they are silent, they shout” -Cicero "*** tacent, clamant" is a good example of oxymoron


Often translated as "Silence is an admission of guilt", which was Cicero's intent in the Senate of Rome when he used the phrase.
*** tacent, clamant' (their silence is a cry). Silence is at times more pregnant than words. A silent retort may be more effective than a loud one, etc.

with their silence, they cry out - is another translation.


The phrase also has implications in American law: right of an accused to remain "silent", a jury usually gets reminded that one has the right to "remain silent" but not so in Rome or the minds of many peoples.

Answer 3

Sometimes the point is more powerfully conveyed by not speaking than by speaking. Such as the good old "silent treatment"

Answer 4

It means that when they are so noisy and if they ONLY shout, it means they are being silent.

Answer 5

It means that (under circumstances, certain people)
are conveying more emotion by not speaking than
by speaking.

Answer 6

It is like a peaceful protest