Musonius Rufus, Fragments 49

We have it on good authority that Musonius the philosopher in his discourses was accustomed to deprecate and repress applause on the part of his auditors. 

 

"When a philosopher," he said, "is exhorting, persuading, rebuking, or discussing some aspect of philosophy, if the audience pour forth trite and commonplace words of praise in their enthusiasm and unrestraint, if they even shout, if they gesticulate, if they are moved and aroused, and swayed by the charm of his words, by the rhythm of his phrases, and by certain rhetorical repetitions, then you may know that both the speaker and his audience are wasting their time, and that they are not hearing a philosopher speaking but a flute player performing.”

 

 “The mind," he said, "of a man who is listening to a philosopher, if the things which are said are useful and helpful and furnish remedies for faults and errors, has no leisure and time for profuse and extravagant praise. The hearer, whoever he may be, unless he has completely lost his moral sense, in listening to the philosopher's words must shudder and feel secretly ashamed and repentant, and again experience joy and wonder and even have varying facial expressions and changes of feeling as the philosopher's speech affects him and touches his recognition of that part of his soul which is sound and that which is sick.”

 

Moreover, he used to say that great applause and admiration are to be sure not unrelated, but that the greatest admiration yields silence rather than words. For that reason he said the wisest of poets does not have those who listened to Ulysses relating the wonderful tale of his hardships leap up and shout and cry out their approval when he finished speaking, but he says that all kept silent as if struck dumb and senseless because the pleasure they had in hearing him affected their power of speech. 

 

"Thus he spoke; but they all were hushed and silent, and were held spellbound throughout the shadowy halls."

 

I understand that our modes of expression are shaped by our cultures, as well as being specific to our individual dispositions, and so it is important to put such things in perspective. Nevertheless, words and actions that only serve our diversions and vanities are reflections of shallow and confused souls. Empty speech, empty minds. 

 

Far too often, making more noise is a way to avoid honest reflection, and putting on a frantic act becomes a substitute for sincerity. All the hooting and the hollering, the clapping and the stomping, the flowery words and extravagant gestures are like the nervous fidgeting of a man who doesn’t know what to do with his hands. 

 

People will often apologize when they are at a loss for words, worried that they are expected to have a speech ready to hand. “I don’t know what to say!”

 

You don’t need to say anything at all. Your silence can speak volumes. The feelings on your face are unfiltered and genuine. You are paying the greatest compliment in simply showing that you are shaken to the core. 

 

Silence is the perfectest herald of joy. I were but little happy if I could say how much.