Solemn Dissertation on the Philosophy of Silence

And this is the man who regretted having spoken at some time, but never having been silent, just as Valerius Maximus narrated of him in Book VII, chap. II. In vain, therefore, was Thomas Aquinas, rebuked by his fellow students for excessive silence, called a dumb ox. Albert the Great, his teacher, bearing this with great difficulty, and having recognized his sharp wit, restrained the detractors of Thomas with these words: This dumb ox will emit such a lowing that the entire world will admire its sound. See B. D. Jo. Adam. Tribechovius in History of the Scholastics.

To many, given this occasion, it is reproached that they have written nothing, perhaps seduced by Pliny, who says in Book XXV, Natural History, chap. I: To teach no one is the hallmark of knowledge. Hence, it is debated in the Logic of silence: Does it seem to be the proper character of true erudition and a good teacher to publish books, whether few or many? I believe this should not be denied so much as tempered. The following reasons serve this Philosophical temperament from §. X, the first of which is that teaching by deeds is the best norm of doctrine. To this pertains that excellent admonition of Seneca, which he gave to students concerning the choice of a teacher in Epistle 11: Let us choose from those who exist, not those who precipitate words with great speed, and roll out commonplaces, and circulate in private; but those who teach by their life, who, when they have said what must be done, prove it by doing. The second reason is that erudition consists in the knowledge of selected things, which are propagated better by living voice than by writings: for previous instruction with the selection of talents cannot be established as well as subsequent instruction. These reasons moved Socrates, easily the most prudent philosopher among the pagans, to write nothing, intending to teach his own by living voice and only by good example. The third is that scholars, by the edition of their books, either