Chapter 6. Of the Practice of Silence

LET us do as saith the prophet: ‘‘I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue, I have placed a watch over my mouth ; I became dumb and was silent, and held my peace even from good things.’ Here the prophet sheweth that if we ought at times to refrain even from good words for the sake of silence, how much more ought we to abstain from evil words, on account of the punishment due to sin. Therefore, on account of the importance of silence, let leave to speak be seldom granted even to perfect disciples,” although their conversation be good and holy and tending to edification; because it is written: ‘In much speaking thou shalt not avoid sin” ; and elsewhere : “ Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” For it becometh the master to speak and to teach, but it beseemeth the disciple to be silent and to listen. And therefore, if anything has to be asked of the Superior, let it be done with all humility and subjection of reverence. But as for buffoonery or idle words, such as move to laughter, we utterly condemn them in every place, nor do we allow the disciple to open his mouth in such discourse.