"Nothing," wrote General de Gaulle, "strengthens authority so much as silence." Speech dilutes thought; it allows one's courage to leak away - in short, it dissipates the concentration that is required.

Nothing builds authority up like silence, splendor of the strong and shelter of the weak.

Rien ne rehausse l'autorité mieux que le silence, splendeur des forts et refuge des faibles.

Silence is a source of Great Strength.

Silence is a great wisdom.

Silence is true wisdom's best reply.

Silence is most powerful. Speech is always less powerful than silence.

When little is done, little is said; silence is the mother of truth.

Silence is pure and holy. It draws people together because only those who are comfortable with each other can sit without speaking.

It is sometimes enough that one places one's voice on the silence... [S]ilence too is powerful. It is the dimension in which ordinary and extraordinary events take their proper places. In the Indian world, a word is spoken or a song is sung not against, but within the silence. ...[S]ilence is the sanctuary of sound.

Silence is an answer in the eyes of the wise.

Nothing can contribute more to peace of soul than the lack of any opinion whatever.

There is nothing more powerful than the silent example.

Be silent and safe—silence never betrays you.