The Ways of the Righteous Project -
Gate of Silence

1. Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel taught: “I grew up all my life among the Sages and I have found nothing better for oneself than silence.”
   Avot 1:17
   
2. Speech can be used for a Mitzvah, e.g. speaking of Torah and spirituality.
   Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
   
3. Some speech should be shunned, e.g. false testimony, indecent speech and slander.
   Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
   
4. Some speech is considered by the Sages as petty, i.e. speech containing neither transgression nor benefit.
   Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
   
5. Some speech is beloved, e.g. speech in praise of good deeds and in deprecation of bad deeds.
   Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
   
6. Some speech is considered by the Sages as “permissible”, e.g. speech of trade for one’s livelihood and other needs.
   Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
   
7. Silence is good in many situations, such as in that of one who has been visited with the attribute of justice, as in the case of Aharon (Vayikra 10:3).
   Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
   
8. Silence in the face of insult is a great virtue.
   Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
   
9. One should accustom oneself to silence in the privy, which is modesty.
   Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
   
10. One should not talk in the synagogue service, even words of Torah, how much more so other matters.
    Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
    
11. If one is sitting among the wise, he should be quiet and listen to their words. For when he is quiet, he hears what he did not know; but when he speaks, he does not grow in knowledge.
    Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
    
12. If one is in doubt as to what the Sages are saying, he should ask them, for remaining silent at such a time is very bad.
    Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
    
13. If one sees fools mocking the words of Sages, he should answer them to disabuse them of their error.
    Gemara Shabbat 30b & Mishlei 26:5
    
14. King Solomon said: “A soft answer turns away wrath”.
    Mishlei 15:1
    
15. When in company it is better to be told “Speak, why are you so still?” rather than that you speak in a burdensome manner and they tell you “Be quiet”.
    Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
    
16. One must take care not to shame anyone or distress him with words. If he is sitting near one who has some bodily blemish of which he is ashamed or if there is a defect in his family, one must take care not to speak of that blemish or defect. This applies even if he is not speaking about him but about another.
    Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
    
17. If someone tells you something that you already know, be quiet until he finishes, for he may tell you something new. He also derives enjoyment from telling you something; and even if you know that he will tell you nothing new, be quiet until he finishes.
    Orchot Tzadikim: Shaar HaSHtika
    
18. There are 7 signs of a fool, and 7 of a wise man. The wise man does not speak in the presence of those greater than he in wisdom or in number; he does not interrupt his neighbour’s speech; he does not rush to answer; he asks to the point, and answers correctly; he speaks of the first point first, and of the last, last; if he has not heard of something, he says “I have not heard of it”; and he admits the truth. The reverse is the case with the fool.
    Avot 5:7
    
19. The Sages guarded themselves from idle talk, priding themselves in not having spoken idle talk. This is also a great aid toward praying with concentration, for most lapses of concentration in prayer come from idle matters implanted in one’s heart.
    Gemara Succah 28a
    

Each of the following gates contains roughly 20
short teachings on that topic