Able to be silent…
If you are not able to be silent, you will not be able to speak well.
–Henri Nouwen (1932–1996)
Abide in silence…
Carve out a day every week, or an hour a day, or a moment each hour, and abide in loving silence with the Friend. Feel the frenetic concerns of life in the world fall away, like the last leaves of autumn being lifted from the tree in the arms of a zephyr. Be the bare tree.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Intelligent silence…
Intelligent silence is the mother of prayer, freedom from bondage, custodian of zeal, a guard on our thoughts, a watch on our fears, a friend of tears, a recollection of death, a concern without judgment, a foe of license, a companion of stillness, the opponent of dogmatism, a growth of knowledge, a hand to shape contemplation, hidden progress, the secret journey toward the Light. The lover of silence draws closer to God.
–Saint John Climacus (c. 525-606)
Silence promotes the…
Silence promotes the presence of God, prevents many harsh and proud words, and suppresses many dangers in the way of ridiculing or harshly judging our neighbors… If you are faithful in keeping silence when it is not necessary to speak, God will preserve you from evil when it is right for you to talk.
— François Fénèlon (1651-1715)
God’s speech is silence…
The speech of God is silence. His Word is solitude.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Love God, love silence…
One who loves God necessarily loves silence.
— Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
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