The Art of Speaking Less: How Silence Builds Wisdom and Power
Those who speak do not know. Those who know do not speak— Lao Tzu Silence as a Source of Wisdom and Strength Great thinkers, like Buddha and Socrates , promulgated the supremacy of silence over eloquence. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa once said, “When the mind is still, the Self shines.” Silence is divine; it is a source of great strength. Spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama said – “Silence is sometimes the best answer.” The Power of Few Words – The Spartan Way There is a word in English, “ laconic ,” derived from Laconia , the region of ancient Sparta in Greece. Spartans were known not only for their bravery but also for their minimalistic speech. They believed action was greater than words. Spartans spoke a little. Philip II of Macedon , father of Alexander , surrounded Sparta and sent a warning to them: “If I enter Laconia, I will level Sparta to the ground. “The Spartan reply—”If.” Just one word— and it said everything. Spartan boys were trained from childhood not ...
