On the Spirit of Silence
Jan. 24—May 25—Sept. 24
Let us do what the Prophet says: “I said, ‘I will guard my ways, that I
may not sin with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth.’ I was mute
and was humbled, and kept silence even from good things.” Here the
Prophet shows that if the spirit of silence ought to lead us at times to
refrain even from good speech, so much the more ought the punishment for
sin make us avoid evil words.
Therefore, since the spirit of silence is so important, permission to
speak should rarely be granted even to perfect disciples, even though it
be for good, holy, edifying conversation; for it is written, “In much
speaking you will not escape sin,” and in another place, “Death and life
are in the power of the tongue.”
For speaking and teaching belong to the master; the disciple’s part is
to be silent and to listen. And for that reason if anything has to be
asked of the Superior, it should be asked with all the humility and
submission inspired by reverence.
But as for coarse jests and idle words or words that move to laughter,
these we condemn everywhere with a perpetual ban, and for such
conversation we do not permit a disciple to open his mouth.