*Do Not Write and Remain Reticent: The Power and Paradox of Withheld Words*
In an age defined by relentless expression—tweets, posts, comments, and messages—the idea of choosing not to write and remaining reticent can feel almost radical. Yet silence, when intentional, carries its own weight. It is not merely the absence of speech; it is a form of communication, a conscious stance, and sometimes a profound act of resistance. Reticence can arise from many places: caution, humility, uncertainty, or the belief that the moment does not yet deserve words. Unlike the compulsion to speak, reticence demands restraint. It acknowledges that not every thought must be expressed, not every idea articulated, and not every emotion made public. Sometimes the unwritten sentence is more powerful than the written one. However, silence can also be misunderstood. In a loud world, quiet people are often misread as disengaged or indifferent. The expectation to constantly produce—opinions, content, insights—can make reticence seem like a flaw rather than a choice. Yet history and literature remind us that reflection precedes expression. The greatest thinkers did not speak constantly; they spoke meaningfully. To “not write and remain reticent” can therefore be a period of gestation—a quiet gathering of clarity before expression. Reticence offers space to listen deeply, observe keenly, and decide deliberately. When words finally emerge from such stillness, they tend to be sharper, more honest, and more necessary. Silence is not the opposite of expression; it is part of its rhythm. It is the pause that gives shape to speech, the breath between lines of poetry, the stillness from which insight eventually rises. Choosing not to write is not an absence of voice—it is a decision about when and how that voice should enter the world. In choosing reticence, one claims sovereignty over expression. And when the silence finally breaks, the words carry the authority of having been chosen, rather than spilled. K Rajaram IRS 101225 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZop3FV7bEMybyF0HA3iGihrXAP1KuWwAn1K-WX-S5kOrsA%40mail.gmail.com.
