The Power of Silence by Wm. M. Taylor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 9, 1882

The Power of Silence

By Wm. M. Taylor

THERE is a mighty power in silence, and silence is frequently an evidence of power. There are many men so weak that they cannot hold their tongues, or keep their mouths shut. The man who offends not in word is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body. He who can control his tongue can control his higher nature. Hence silence is a token of power, of reserved force. He who knows how to keep silence knows how to speak; and often his silence is more impressive than his speech. "Brilliant flashes of silence" is by no means a senseless expression. How often have we seen the babble of the foolish hushed by the silent glance of an earnest soul; how often the ribald jest or scurrilous word has died upon the lips when an indignant silence was the only reply it could evoke. That man or that woman who can stand silent amid reproaches and accusations and sneers and scoffs shows a degree of strength and power which falls not to the lot of every one.—Wm. M. Taylor.