Simply minding one’s own business is more offensive than being intrusive. Without ever saying a word one can make a person feel less-than.

when words make noise, silence can talk.

Silence is pure. Silence is holy. It draws people together because only those who are comfortable with each other can sit without speaking. This is the great paradox.

We sat and drank in silence. It was something I appreciated about Jesse. He didn’t feel the need to fill every moment with talk or some sort of silly exchange.

You need to train yourself to be comfortable with silence, particularly when dealing with cultures that respect silence more than we do in the West.

Most of the conversations we are ever likely to have with people are the things we do not and cannot say