Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Though silence is not necessarily an admission, it is not a denial, either.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Silence can imply ambiguity and does not clarify one's position.
This quote by Cicero suggests that while silence may not directly indicate agreement or confession, it equally does not serve as a clear rejection of an idea or accusation. It highlights the complexity of communication and the significance of what remains unsaid, pointing to the nuances in human interaction where silence carries weight.
Themes
SilenceCommunicationAmbiguityAdmissionDenial
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of silence in communication.
More from Marcus Tullius Cicero
All quotes →Those wars are unjust which are undertaken without provocation. For only a war waged for revenge or defence can actually be just.
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Nothing contributes to the entertainment of the reader more, than the change of times and the vicissitudes of fortune.
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No one has the right to be sorry for himself for a misfortune that strikes everyone.
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Advice in old age is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach to our journey's end.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
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