WHEN To Speak? WHEN To Keep Mum?

WHEN To Speak?  WHEN To Keep Mum?

The virtues of SILENCE have long been recognized.  The popular saying 'SPEECH IS SILVER BUT SILENCE IS GOLDEN" has been traced by historians to dayte as far back as the ancient times in Egypt.  It probably means that in some circumstances the LESS you say, the BETTER it is.  I can imagine that WHEN you are in the company of strangers, discretion would be more appropriate than discretion.  In fact, based on norms and values, keeping a secret can be a form of SILENCE that is highly ethical.  So, WHEN To Speak?  WHEN To Keep Mum📗📙📘

In many democratic countries, SILENCE in some cases is  a legal right  You could have heard it in western movies wherein the police or legal authorities who arrest a suspect is advised that he/she has the right to remain SILENT.  In the United States, the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution permits a person NOT to answer any specific question IF and WHEN, by answering it, you will be incriminating yourself.  Sometimes, SILENCE is even deemed as an OBLIGATION as when its purpose is NOT to disturb the tranquility of others such as in the library💦💦💦

Experts do highlight that SILENCE can be used in sending a powerful message.  Studies also show that moments of SILENCE are used in contemplation, reflection and in remembrance of loved ones that we have lost.  BUT this is NOT an 'ALL IN' answer to the question because there are times when to be SILENT is to behave in an unethical manner.  WHAT we should be cautious is that our SILENCE is NOT deceptive, allowing others to believe WHAT we know for certain is NOT true💧💧💧

Psychologists also claim that remaining SILENT can also represent a risk and the experts declare that SILENCE is the most toxic strategy to reputation and integrity.  And if we remain SILENT, someone else will fill the void with more made-up chatter and misinformation.  So, the challenging question is:  HOW THEN SHOULD WE DETERMINE WHEN IS THE TIME TO REMAIN SILENT AND WHEN IS THE TIME TO SPEAK❓❓❓

Our takeaway:  Let us piggy-back on what the experts would advise us, namely:

• Will my voice make a DIFFERENCE?
• Does engaging this time mean I will be more OR less effective the next time?
• HOW will I see myself [many years from now] if I DON'T speak up?

Dude, let's work on these habits😀😀😀