[Greek] σιγάω (sigaō), [Latin] tacere, [Latin] tacitus, [Latin] silere, [French] etre silencieux: to keep silent, to be silent, to silence, to hold, to keep a secret, to keep quiet, to hold one’s peace; Lk.9:36, Lk.18:39, Lk.20:26, Acts 12:17, Acts 15:12-13, 1Cor.14:28,30,34
Tolerance toward evil may consist of silent assent or failure to keep one’s evil and hateful thoughts silent.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to be silent (mute), to hold one’s peace, to hush, to say nothing, to be secret, wrapped in silence, and would have never heard of.
Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus 980: “For I will not be silent, when you have gone so far in impious speech.”
Aristophanes’ Birds 1684: “All right, you two arrange the matter; make peace, since you wish it so, I’ll hold my tongue.”
Euripides’ The Suppliants 298: “No. I will not hold my peace to blame myself afterwards for having kept silence to my shame.”
Aeschines’ On the Embassy 2.86: “How could the thing have been hushed up?”
Euripides’ Alcestis 78: “Why is the house of Adetus wrapped in silence?”
Old Testament: This term means to hush, to be silent, to hold, to keep silent, to be speechless, to be dumb, and to devise (in a secret way).
New Testament: This term means to keep quiet, to be quiet, and to be hidden.
Scripture:
Lk.9:36: [Transfiguration of Jesus] “After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.” (Jesus was seen transfigured with Moses and Elijah. Jesus instructed Peter, John, and James not to reveal what they had seen at this time.)
Lk.20:26: “They were unable to trap Him by something He might say before the people, and so amazed were they at His reply that they fell silent.” (Jesus completely saw through their efforts. The scribes and chief priests were attempting to trick Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar. They were hoping to find incriminating statements against Jesus for questioning His loyalty to the Roman authorities or His loyalty to the disciples. They were so dumbfounded, they had no words.)
Acts 12:17: “Peter motioned to them with his hand to be quiet and explained to them how the Lord has led him out of the prison, and said, ‘Report this to James and the brothers.'” (Peter was beckoning the others to hold their peace, to be cautious, and to not to incite the Jews.)
Rom.16:25: “Now to Him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages.” (The mysteries of the Gospel had not yet been fully divulged or proclaimed. Some hints of these truths (types, shadows, and sacrifices) had already been known in the Old Testament. The Jews had already had received some inferences of these truths.)
St. Peter Martyr of Verona (1202-1252) asking for silence: He COULD NOT BE SILENCED for speaking out as he was being martyred.
Fresco of St. Peter Martyr of Verona:
- This fresco is located at the Convent of San Marco in Florence, Italy.
- As a member of the Dominican order, he wore the blue and white habit, rather than the usual black and white habit.
- He spoke out against the 13th century neo-Manichaeism heresy of Catharism. Manichaeism held that the spirit was trapped in the evil material world.
- He was murdered by the Cathars in 1252.
- At the time of his death, he wrote, “Credo in Deum” (I believe in God) on the ground with his own blood.
- His calls for silence could NOT be silenced for what he believed.
- His canonization process took only 11 months.
Charlie Kirk assassination (shooting):
- Charlie Kirk believed that we should not be silent in peacefully expressing our different views.
- Although Charlie Kirk was tragically assassinated, his message will NOT BE SILENCED.
- In the House of Representatives and European Parliament, some protested offering a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk.
- Some had accused Charlie Kirk of being hateful and divisive, but were silent about the actual shooter.
- Many have accused Trump, Jan. 6, and “opportunistic” Republicans who want to “pounce on this issue, but were silent about the actual shooter.
- We are seeing the consequences of many who could not be silent in expressing their happiness in seeing Charlie Kirk get killed. Now many are becoming famous (infamous) for their social media posts.
- The government authorities are not going to be silent any more in prosecuting organizations and individual who advocate and facilitate political violence.
- “Charlie’s voice is not silent” Ben Shapiro
Pope Leo IV: silence ==> consent
- The LGBTQ Vatican Jubilee event predictably became a scandal. Although Pope Leo did not meet with these people, why did he allow this event to happen? Yet we hear silence from Pope Leo.
- Sounds like plausible deniability. “While, the Vatican is not officially hosting and LGBTQ+ event, the LGBTQ+ pilgrimage is on the Vatican’s official calendar of activities.” Yeah, right!
- There is silence (no mention) of the Church’s teachings against homosexuality. Shocker!
- There is silence (no mention) of sin, Jesus’ command to SIN NO MORE, conversion of heart, and forgiveness. Shocker!
- More and more questionable clergy have become emboldened by their statement and actions. Yet we hear silence from Pope Francis.
- Pope Leo received Fr. James Martin who affirms the Vatican LGBTQ “outreach” and transgenderism. Why did Pope Leo receive him? Yet we hear silence from Pope Leo.
- Pope Leo received Sr. Lucia Caram, who affirms homosexual marriage, abortion rights, contraception, and doubts Mary’s perpetual virginity. Why did Pope Leo receive her? Yet we hear silence from Pope Leo.
Etymology: The Latin adjective tacitus, the past participle of the Latin verb tacere, means to be silent and to keep quiet. Tacit means assumed and done without words. The Latin verb reticere, means to keep silent and be silent. Reticence means silence or a keeping silent. The Latin verb silere means to be quite or still.
Conclusion:
Tacit, silent, silence, reticent, reticence
Plato provides quite prophetic words, pertaining to one’s character. NOT holding one’s tongue also can shed light on one’s character.
Update: More and more companies and individuals are not remaining silent about speaking out against wokeness and cancel culture. Thank you, American Eagle.
Parents are no longer being silent when it comes to sex/gender, DEI, affirmative action, and CRT.
Many citizens in the the UK are seeing that their government has become a police state in trampling down on rights and civil liberties. Many local citizens and other nations are not being silent any more.
A Texas A&M professor threatened to silence a student from speaking out against the LGBTQ ideology.
Bishop Emeritus Raul Vera Lopez of Saltillo Mexico “concelebrated Mass” with an lesbian Anglican pastor Emile Teresa Smith. This is liturgical sacrilege. There is no response (silence) from the Vatican. Disgraceful!
The New York Times have been silent (no articles ) about the murder the Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. Disgraceful!
Censorship, content moderation, dis-information/mis-information laws, totalitarian police states, and political motivations are often used to silence people..
The pro-life movement is fighting for and advocating for the silent and voiceless unborn.
More and more constituents in crime-ridden cities are no longer being silent:
- They are seeing their Democratic and Progressive leaders opposing the federal government’s efforts to help stamp out crime in their cities.
- They are seeing illegal criminals being shielded under sanctuary city laws.
- They are seeing their leaders supporting the status quo and and failing to responded to the people’s right to live in safe neighborhoods.
- They are seeing their leaders view ICE and the federal government, not the criminals, as part of the problem.
- They are seeking their leaders call the federal government response as fascism.
- More of these constituents are losing faith in their local government. Many are now becoming Republican.
Many Protestants, searching for answers, are looking deep in history in discovering the truth and secrets of the early Church. Many Protestants are now converting to Catholicism.
“If you believe in something, you need to have the courage to fight for those ideas–not run away from them or try and SILENCE them.” Charlie Kirk
“Silence in the face of evil is evil itself. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“The refusal to take sides on great moral issues is itself a decision. It is a silent acquiescence to evil. ” Archbishop Fulton Sheen
“Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it seeks to silence good.” Cardinal Chaput
“If you have to shoot someone with a microphone [to keep them silent], you lost the debate.”
“If you celebrate the person who did the shooting, you lost your soul.”