#46 You Have the Right to Remain Silent

The right to remain silent.

You have the right to remain silent. They say this all the time on police shows. It is usually said at the wrong time, but I’m not about to get into the legalities of show cops vs. reality cops. Why do you have the right to remain silent? Shouldn’t you defend yourself in this situation? Isn’t your opinion important? What’s wrong with speaking your mind? Why shouldn’t you let someone have it for saying something with which you disagree?

Reasons to remain silent.

Silence is a source of strength.

The Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu said, “Silence is a source of great strength.” The strong or confident don’t talk about it. They just do what needs to be done and then walk away. The Lone Ranger never stood around bloviating his reasons for his actions. He rode into town, solved a problem, and buggered out of there. People were left to wonder “Who was that masked man.”

Silence makes you appear more intelligent – for a moment.