Silence quotes
2.7K quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.
Explore further
Browse quotes that often appear alongside silence — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.
Quote collection
Follow a thought to its author, or read the full quote page.
"I'm so thrilled to have been asked to guest in the Doctor Who Christmas Special, I'm such a fan of the show. The read-through was very difficult for me; I wanted to keep stuffing my fingers into my ears and scream 'No spoilers!' Every day on set I’ve had to silence my internal fan-boy squeals!"
"A prolonged silence ensues. The reason for the silence is our growing interest one for the other. No one is aware of it, no one yet; no one? am I quite sure?"
"Say "I love you" to those you love. The eternal silence is long enough to be silent in, and that awaits us all."
"Usually they are quick to discover that I cannot see or hear.... It is not training but love which impels them to break their silence about me with the thud of a tail rippling against my chair on gambols round the study, or news conveyed by expressive ear, nose, and paw. Often I yearn to give them speech, their motions are so eloquent with things they cannot say."
"More have repented speech then silence. [More have repented speech than silence.]"
"As ministers our greatest temptation is toward too many words. They weaken our faith and make us lukewarm. But silence is a sacred discipline, a guard of the Holy Spirit."
"He had found over the years that silence sometimes yielded more than questions. And so it was this time."
"A bag of dragons buys a man's silence for a while, but a well-placed quarrel buys it forever."
"Cersei Lannister: I shall wear this as a badge of honor. Robert Barathon: Wear it in silence or I'll honor you again."
"Simplicity, a delicate silence about oneself, increases their worth and makes one love those whom one admires."
"Freedom is the silence of the law."
"If you attempt an actual argument with a modern paper of opposite politics, you will have no answer except slanging or silence."
"Those who had demanded no more than an end to the bombing of North Vietnam and a commitment to negotiations saw their demands being realized, and lapsed into silence."
"GIFT You tell me that silence is nearer to peace than poems but if for my gift I brought you silence (for I know silence) you would say This is not silence this is another poem and you would hand it back to me"
"We communicate like the burrows of foxes, in silence and darkness, under ground. We are undermined by faith and love."
"There are some things which a man never speaks of, which are much finer kept silent about. To the highest communications we only lend a silent ear."
"The man I meet with is not often so instructive as the silence he breaks."
"As the truest society approaches always nearer to solitude, so the most excellent speech finally falls into Silence. Silence is audible to all men, at all times, and in all places. She is when we hear inwardly, sound when we hear outwardly. Creation has not displaced her, but is her visible framework and foil. All sounds are her servants, and purveyors, proclaiming not only that their mistress is, but is a rare mistress, and earnestly to be sought after."
"The orator puts off his individuality, and is then most eloquent when most silent. He listens while he speaks, and is a hearer along with his audience."
"There is no sound more annoying than the chatter of a child, and none more sad than the silence they leave when they are gone."
