Silence

[On silence of various sorts]

A patient observes silence as a part of treatment and a speaker does it in order to rest his throat, while some one else takes to silence in order to turn the searchlight inwards. Each of them derives benefits from it commensurate with his object. Whoever observes silence in order to turn his eyes inward would for the time being remain in solitude, observe a fast or take only a light meal. If necessary he will study books which can be of help to him in the task he has undertaken. To observe silence without a definite purpose can be of little use and may even do harm. Every activity of a lover of truth has a clear end in view.

(Recorded under October 31, 1932; ibid., p.191; translated from the Gujarati.)