The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-22
Tho Virtues Of Silence.

In instances, and many might be men
toned, silence is chiefly used as pro-
tective power, and that is no doubt its
most obvious. though by no means ITS
only use. In former days the Fellows
of Trinity College, Dublin, were for
hidden by statute to marry; but the
violation of the rule, which III fact they
seldom observed, was connived at so
long as they maintained discreet retl-
cence on their connubial arrangements,
and their wives bore their maiden names
in public. One OF these welded cell
bates was asked by friend, who mad
been much perpleSed on discovering the
state of the case, how he managed
to hold his fellowship? My dear
sir" was the reply, "a man can hold
ANYTHING who holds his tongue.
II follows. of course, that man who
wears his heart on his sleeve will
let everything slip through his lin
gers. This gift of silence IS character
istic of the canny' Scott A Scotch
man will never " tell II lee, but he will
make it next to impossible for you to
discover what he wishes to conceal.
The surgical operation which is said to
be so requisite for getting Joke INTO
him is equally required for getting any
thing ont of him when he prefers. ms he
very frequently does prefer, to Keep ms
own counsel. He is an adept at beating
about the bush, which is another way
of saving that he knows how to hold his
tongue. But silence is not merely n
protective power. If it often serves TO
conceal what there might be an indis-
erection in betraying, it may also prove
Il positive means of influence. The
Greeks thought it so difficult to speak
good-omened words" that they USED the
phrase as equivalent to what the 10
mans more directly termed II sacred
silence" And, great rs is the repute
which their philosophers, orators and
poets have won by their writings, 1t IS
difficult to determine how much OF the
still grander reputation of Socrates Is
due to his having written nothing. In
one sense certainly he was the reverse
of silent. but he did not commit his
thoughts to paper, and he has been
crelited--we do not say undeservcdly
with more than the highest wisdom of
those who undertook to report his utter
ances, while their weaknesses are attribu-
ted to themselves. How much gain of
influences and reputation III ordinary
life is due to ludicious silence. We
have all heard of Lord Thurlow's awful
nod, but there are other professions than
the law where sententious silence has
proved the secret OF success How
many medical regulations have been
built on capacity for looking wise and
saying nothing! A doctor who knows
how to insinuate by tone and face and
gesture his perfect command of the sit
uation, without committing himself to
specific assertions, may make little
skill go n long way, and may even make
serious mistakes with impunity. 1t
does not seem SO easy for preacher to
trade upon his capacity OF reserve, yet
even in the clerical profession many
have gained the reputation of profound
divines and able guides in the spiritual
life by Il judicious management OF platl-
tubes. Nor would it he hard to show,
on the other hand, how lofty regulations
and brilliant prospects have been
blighted by too open-mouthed frank
ness. 1t matters little what opinions
an aspirant for political or clerical pro-
motion may hold, SO long us he under
stands when to hold his tongue about
them; but single slip may mar n
whole career.