Free speech is muzzled. Ideas cannot be stopped, but they can be silenced. The cyanide is administered, silence is the assisted death of the mind. There are joys in living a quiet life. Don't speak up, don't act, and you'll be left alone.
Silent lungs can still breathe, a still mouth still has a tongue.
It's better than nothing. The funeral pyres burn - millions of books, ideas, hopes, dreams. Maybe you're right. I've suffered too many losses. I'm losing my will to fight.