Silence and Speech
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III discusses a subject that touches every person’s life — “silence and speech.” He explains that the tongue can be the reason for one’s salvation or destruction, for words express what is in the heart. A good word comes from a good heart, and an evil word from an evil heart.
The Relationship Between Heart and Tongue:
The Pope emphasizes that the sin of speech is not merely a sin of the tongue but of the heart first. Speech reveals the inner state just as fruit reveals the nature of the tree. Therefore, the heart must be pure so that speech may be pure, for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
The Virtue of Silence:
Silence, according to the Pope, is a great virtue that protects a person from error and gives him time to think and pray. He quotes Saint Arsenius: “Many times I have spoken and regretted, but for my silence I have never regretted.” Silence offers space for contemplation and self-control and teaches the virtue of good listening.
Harmful Silence and Necessary Speech:
However, not every silence is virtuous. Harmful silence arises from fear or cowardice, especially when truth must be spoken or when defending the oppressed. Just as we can be judged by our words, we can also be judged for our silence. Silence for God’s sake is good, and speech for God’s sake is also good.
Good Speech:
The Pope teaches that good speech is a positive virtue, while silence is a preventive one. A good word comforts, teaches, guides, and calms anger, as Scripture says: “A soft answer turns away wrath.” Good speech must be wise, gentle, truthful, and timely.
Rules of Speech:
Speech should be deliberate, brief, deep, and timely. The truth should be spoken with gentleness, not arrogance or domination. It is not right to wound others in the name of honesty; advice should be given with meekness and love, as St. Paul said: “Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.”
The Saints and the Word:
The saints used their tongues for edification, like St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory the Theologian, whose words were full of grace and wisdom. Christ Himself spoke “with authority,” and His words were “spirit and life.” The word can become a means of salvation when it proceeds from a heart filled with God’s love.
Conclusion:
The Pope calls everyone to weigh their words carefully — to speak only what builds and benefits, and to remain silent when silence is better. Silence is not an end in itself but a path leading to the good word — a word that brings peace and becomes a blessing and salvation to the hearers.
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