Silence can offer more power than words ever will.
Leonardo Di Vinchi said, “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”
We have the unnecessary and uncomfortable habit of filling silent gaps with superficial talk.
Plato’s words are for both men and women everywhere.
The ability to have a conversation and listen effectively isn’t something people do very well.
So many people barely take a breath when talking because they aren’t really listening, vaguely paying attention, chomping at the bit, just so they can start talking again.
If you can't resist thinking about what you want to say, when pretending to be listening, try being silent. You'll be amazed how much your thought process will improve.
And if you are able stop obsessing on what you want to say when listening and instead focus entirely on what's being said to you, then silence won't just bring you a new skill; it will bring you new understanding and perhaps some knowledge.
Remember that listening is far more powerful than speaking.
You learn nothing by talking.
