On life (93) – ”Let Me See” – 21/9/2015

   In the previous article, we tackled some reasons of silence. Some people believe that talking will not change the reality, that it is an attempt to acquire wisdom, or that words might fail to express the heart. People might also keep quiet to think before they talk and, thus, express themselves honestly. In fact, sometimes very few words are better than lengthy discussions which cannot be understood.

   Moreover, some people keep quiet to better comprehend matters and, thus, make the best decisions. Silence helps man think. It is said that silence gives man a great energy to think of what is going on. Thus, man concentrates and utters the wisest answer.

   It is said that when Louis XIV became king, he talked little and concentrated a lot on what he said. This was not the case in his youth: as he used to speak a great deal. King Louis used to observe everything silently and answer his addressors calmly, saying, “Let me see!” This silence influenced his decisions greatly.

   At many instances, silence is strength, not weakness. When we contemplate righteous Joseph, we will find that he was silent when his master’s wife accused him falsely. He could have scandalized her before her husband and others, for he was cherished by his master. But he kept quiet, turning to heaven. So, God made him the second man in Egypt and the sole controller of her affairs. We read, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” Silence is strength when man uses it to answer a hurtful word. Najib Mahfuz says, “I cannot answer unkind words with the like. I cannot swim in the mud.” Here, silence gives a lesson to the cruel person to stop hurting people with his words. How easy it is to answer unkind words with more unkind ones! How strong and noble the souls that treat weak ones lovingly and forgivingly are! Someone says, “Nobody can compel me to forsake my ethics and personality. Should you fail to raise anybody to your level, do not make him drag you to his own.” Man’s ability to keep quiet at a time when he can backfire requires great strength with which he can control himself. Indeed, “… he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.”

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center