Worthy Silence

In childhood, I used to always get told 'Children should be seen but not heard.' The problem, though, is parents very seldom stick to their own rules. I mean, I was all for remaining silent but then they would call on me to recite 'Baa Baa Black sheep' or some such crap. What happened to the virtues of silent children then?

Tiru comes around also preaching the virtues of silence but sort of offers an explanation about when it applies as well.

Kalladhavarum naninallar katraar mun solla dhirukkap perin - Tirukkural

Even the ignorant seem worthy if they but keep silent in the company of the knowledgeable - Loose Translation.

There you are! The virtue of silence is that it does not expose your ignorance. You know that saying - It is better to keep your mouth shut and be taken for a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. Something like that, though Tiru thinks that silence will make you seem worthy. At least the worth of having the sense to keep your mouth shut if not the worth of knowing more than you actually do.

The problem, though, is that most people actually cannot spend the time to learn the things that are generally talked about in social circumstances. I mean, you spend your life learning Python or whatever, and can scarcely be bothered to learn Indian History or the merits and demerits of the various 'ism's. If you adhere to this 'Silence is golden' rule, you are condemned to remain silent except when you can speak in or about code. What sort of life is that?

And, anyway, you can always assume that you are not in the company of the knowledgeable, given that most people around you are like you.

Ignorance - other people's ignorance - is your bliss!