“The ninth step of humility is achieved when a monk, practicing silence, only speaks when asked a question, for, ‘In many words you shall not avoid sin’ (Prov. 10:15). And, ‘A talkative man shall not prosper upon the earth’ (Ps. 140:11).”

Saint Benedict. The Rule of St. Benedict. Translated, with introduction and notes by Anthony C. Meisel and M.L. del Mastro. NY : Doubleday, 1975, Chapter 7, page 60.

Note: Interesting to note that, while chapter 6 of the Rule is about Silence, St. Benedict includes this point about silence in chapter 7. Chapter 7 is on Humility.

There are so, so many times when it would have been better to bite our tongues and not say something that sprang to mind. Oh, yes, there absolutely are times when we should speak out, when we should call someone out, when we should ask hard questions, name names, and so on. Mostly in defense of someone else. But the way of humility sometimes is the way of silence. And humility doesn’t mean meekly accepting abuse.