He says, this silence of More's, it was never really…
““He says, this silence of More's, it was never really silence, was it? It was loud with his treason; it was quibbling as far as quibbles would serve him, it was demurs and cavils, suave ambiguities. It was fear of plain words, or the assertion that plain words pervert themselves; More's dictionary, against our dictionary. You can have a silence full of words. A lute retains, in its bowl, the notes it has played. The viol, in its strings, holds a concord. A shriveled petal can hold its scent, a prayer can rattle with curses; an empty house, when the owners have gone out, can still be loud with ghosts.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage explores paradoxical silence, filled with hidden treason, ambiguity, and lingering presence.
In simple terms: Silence can be loud with hidden meaning.
Key Takeaway
Listen for unspoken tension.
Themes
language
silence
power
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political intrigue
- personal reflection
- creative writing
Key Concepts
literary analysis
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does silence reveal truth?
- What does “loud silence” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations may differ by reader.