“Let us do as the prophet says: "I will take heed of my ways, that I offend not with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth. I was dumb and was humbled, and kept silence even from good words." Here the prophet teaches us that if we should at times, for the love of silence, refrain from good talk, we should with more reason still, for fear of sin's punishment, eschew all evil talk. On account of the great value of silence, therefore, let leave to speak be seldom granted to observant disciples, even though it be for good, holy, and edifying conversations; for it is written: "In much speaking you shall not escape sin" and elsewhere: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." It becomes the master to speak and to teach; but it befits the disciple to be silent and to listen. If anything be asked of the superior, therefore, let it be sought with all humility and respectful submission. But as for buffoonery and talk that is vain and stirs laughter, we condemn such things everywhere with a perpetual ban, and forbid the disciple to open his mouth for such conversation.
--Rule of St. Benedict, ch. 6, "On Silence"
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