There comes a time in everyone’s life when we get very angry at someone and we have a lot to say. However, in such situations, it is always good to keep your calm and remain silent. It may seem difficult not to say something at that point and express our anger, but silence is the best answer. Silence is not empty, it’s full of answers and has its own language.

Some people consider silence as the victory of the one who is speaking. In reality, a silent person is actually a thousand times more powerful than a person who answers, for this person can say things in the heat of the moment that they will later regret.

Once a wise person said that if you answer to every barking dog, you will never reach your destination. There is no doubt about it. Most people around us generally talk and gossip about others’ problems. Some people will say good things, while most will criticise and some will even make fun. But if we start responding to all of them, we will never have peace of mind and will never be able to reach our destination, since their words will always hold us back.

In the same way, if we start responding to everyone’s words, we will be wasting our time and will eventually pay attention to their comments. This will divert us from focusing on our goals and stance, and we be influenced by others’ points of view.

I remember a short story told by my grandmother and I am sure many of you know. In the story, there was a pond where six frogs used to live. Once, they all gathered and challenged each other to climb the tallest tower next to the pond. Each frog thought he could climb easily, the next day, they started the race. When the frogs started to climb the tower, many other frogs came to see them climbing, and they all thought that it was impossible for a frog to climb on such a tall tower and so started making fun of those who were climbing.

As a result, the racing frogs got demotivated and backed off, except for one frog who kept climbing the tower, without paying heed to the mocking.

Finally, everyone saw that this frog reached the top of the tower. It was a feat that none thought could be accomplished. So, when they asked the frog how he did that, it could not answer them. It turned out that the frog was actually deaf and participated in excitement when it saw other frogs climbing up, without being influenced by the mocking of the watching the race.

Similarly, we should also ignore people’s idle talk because it is their job to talk behind one’s back and criticise. We can’t shut everyone’s mouth, but we can focus on what we want and our goals. Work hard and remain silent.

Silence has many other benefits, like it does not escalate the fight between two people. If one is speaking and the other remains silent, there will be no argument and the anger of the other person will soon cool down and the fight will also end.

There are people who talk rubbish and don’t care about their language, at this time, you need more patience than you already have. Keep your calm. The way others behave with you shows you their background and upbringing.

Silence is the symbol of maturity. When you speak less, you listen more, and as you listen more, you develop more understanding. Let others criticise and talk about us; just focus on your targets so that not just you, but your success will stop people from mocking you.

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 3rd, 2022