--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I make no other answer than the act, the…" description: "\"“I make no other answer than the act, the Master said: \"The only fit reply to a fit request is silence and the fact.\" [XXIV]”\" — Dante Alighieri" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/dante-alighieri-590_silence_i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the_770395.jpg" --- # I make no other answer than the act, the Master said: "The… ![“I make no other answer than the act, the Master said: "The only fit reply to a fit request is silence and the fact." [XXIV]” quote by Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/dante-alighieri-590_silence_i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the_770395.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/dante-alighieri-590_silence_i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the_770395.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/dante-alighieri-590_silence_i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the_770395.jpg) > ““I make no other answer than the act, the Master said: "The only fit reply to a fit request is silence and the fact." \[XXIV\]”” [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The master teaches that the proper response to a fitting request is silence and factual truth, not elaborate justification. **In simple terms:** Silence and truth are the best replies to appropriate demands. Key Takeaway Respond with quiet honesty. Themes humility truth communication Mood contemplative serene Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - legal arguments - personal conflicts - academic debates - media interviews Key Concepts Stoicism ethical conduct Questions to Reflect On - When is silence more powerful than words? - How can truth be conveyed without speaking? A Different Perspective Silence may be misinterpreted as agreement or weakness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Act Master](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/act-master-4404516/) [Answer Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answer-act-1238126/) [Fit Reply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fit-reply-1688414/) [Master Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/master-said-351382/) [Reply Fit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reply-fit-1688416/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) ## Related quotes > [The only fit reply to a fit request is silence and the fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/the-only-fit-reply-to-a-fit-request-is-silence-and-the-fact/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Everything in Life is an ACT- MASTER IT!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everything-in-life-is-an-act-master-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The simplest answer is to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-king/the-simplest-answer-is-to-act/) [A.S. King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-king/) > [It is not enough to ask, 'Will my act harm other people?' Even if the answer is No, my act may still be wrong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-parfit/it-is-not-enough-to-ask-will-my-act-harm-other-people-even-if-the/) [Derek Parfit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-parfit/) > [“Now you must cast aside your laziness," my master said, "for he who rests on down or under covers cannot come to fame; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/now-you-must-cast-aside-your-laziness-my-master-said-for-he-who-rests/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [The Master said, "To study, and then in a timely fashion to practice what you have learned - is this not satisfying? 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If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-shan/my-master-always-said-you-couldn-t-beat-a-skill-out-of-somebody-they/) [Darren Shan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-shan/) > [The Master said, “If your conduct is determined solely by considerations of profit you will arouse great resentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-if-your-conduct-is-determined-solely-by/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [What is the work of a Master?" said a solemn-faced visitor. "To teach people to laugh ," said the Master gravely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/what-is-the-work-of-a-master-said-a-solemn-faced-visitor-to-teach/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [“He gets power from his line, his master,” I said, “it isn’t always about personal power.” “Truth and Wicked have no masters, do you?”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-gets-power-from-his-line-his-master-i-said-it-isn-t-always-about/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## More by Dante Alighieri > [In that part of the book of my memory before the which is little that can be read, there is a rubric, saying, Incipit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/in-that-part-of-the-book-of-my-memory-before-the-which-is-little-that/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [“Be as a tower, that, firmly set, Shakes not its top for any blast that blows!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/be-as-a-tower-that-firmly-set-shakes-not-its-top-for-any-blast-that/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Pure essence, and pure matter, and the two joined into one were shot forth without flaw, like three bright arrows from a three-string bow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/pure-essence-and-pure-matter-and-the-two-joined-into-one-were-shot/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Into the eternal darkness, into fire and into ice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/into-the-eternal-darkness-into-fire-and-into-ice/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [O power of fantasy that steals our minds from things outside, to leave us unaware, although a thousand trumpets may blow loud--what stirs you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/o-power-of-fantasy-that-steals-our-minds-from-things-outside-to-leave/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [The purpose of the whole (work) is to remove those who are living in this life from a state of wretchedness and lead them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/the-purpose-of-the-whole-work-is-to-remove-those-who-are-living-in/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [“Noi leggeveamo un giorno per diletto Di Lancialotto, come amor lo strinse; Soli eravamo e senza alcun sospetto Per più fiate gli occhi ci…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/noi-leggeveamo-un-giorno-per-diletto-di-lancialotto-come-amor-lo/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Love can move the Sun and the stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/love-can-move-the-sun-and-the-stars/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Oh foolish desires of mortals! How weak are the reasons that lead us to not take off our flight from the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/oh-foolish-desires-of-mortals-how-weak-are-the-reasons-that-lead-us/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [“On march the banners of the King of Hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/on-march-the-banners-of-the-king-of-hell/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Seldom indeed does human virtue rise From trunk to branch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/seldom-indeed-does-human-virtue-rise-from-trunk-to-branch/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [All hope abandon, ye who enter here!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/all-hope-abandon-ye-who-enter-here/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [We have no hope and yet we live in longing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/we-have-no-hope-and-yet-we-live-in-longing/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Not one drop of blood is left inside my veins that does not throb: I recognize signs of the ancient flame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/not-one-drop-of-blood-is-left-inside-my-veins-that-does-not-throb-i/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [It is necessity and not pleasure that compels us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/it-is-necessity-and-not-pleasure-that-compels-us/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) [Explore all 414 Dante Alighieri quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) ## More Silence quotes > [Let us have the luxury of silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/let-us-have-the-luxury-of-silence/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [I just can’t, Nick, okay? Now, please give me a second to lie here in silence and bleed.” – Caleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-just-can-t-nick-okay-now-please-give-me-a-second-to-lie-here-in/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“SILENT LIKE SLEEP You appear by my side, silent like sleep. Soft hair, a little wild. No fear, gentle like a calm river. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/silent-like-sleep-you-appear-by-my-side-silent-like-sleep-soft-hair-a/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [“A word is not filling in the gaps, but the fertilization of silence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/a-word-is-not-filling-in-the-gaps-but-the-fertilization-of-silence/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [“I’m not like her. I don’t steal people.” Mr. Tibbalt watched her, saying nothing. The silence made Victoria bristle. “Well, I don’t.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-legrand/i-m-not-like-her-i-don-t-steal-people-mr-tibbalt-watched-her-saying/) [Claire Legrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-legrand/) > [Silence can be the world's strongest weapon in torturing people's emotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/silence-can-be-the-world-s-strongest-weapon-in-torturing-people-s/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“Proverbs from the East: The wind howls, but the mountain remains still. Even though I make no special attempt to observe the discipline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/proverbs-from-the-east-the-wind-howls-but-the-mountain-remains-still/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“When all are one sentience, Language withers and fades away. Let's sit together and speak in silence, Let's be light to each other's way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/when-all-are-one-sentience-language-withers-and-fades-away-let-s-sit/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [True friendship is sitting together in silence and feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/true-friendship-is-sitting-together-in-silence-and-feeling-like-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“So what did God say to me in the silence that morning? I’m not sure, but I think God said something like, Don’t try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-held-evans/so-what-did-god-say-to-me-in-the-silence-that-morning-i-m-not-sure/) [Rachel Held Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-held-evans/) > [If nothing that can be seen can either be God or represent Him to us as He is, then to find God we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-nothing-that-can-be-seen-can-either-be-god-or-represent-him-to-us/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [I suppose he'll just have to do," she amended. "You'll have to suffer in silence with your male model...I feel for you." 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Every morning came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-s/i-once-asked-you-what-anxiety-felt-like-and-you-told-me-that-most/) [d.a.s](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-s/) [Browse all 8,731 Silence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I make no other answer than the act, the Master said: \"The only fit reply to a fit request is silence and the fact.\" [XXIV]”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dante Alighieri" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the-master-said-the-only-fit/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Silence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the-master-said-the-only-fit/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/dante-alighieri-590_silence_i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the_770395.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/dante-alighieri-590_silence_i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the_770395.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31f/dante-alighieri-590_silence_i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the_770395.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I make no other answer than the act, the Master said: \"The only fit reply to a fit request is silence and…” — Dante Alighieri", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dante Alighieri", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I make no other answer than...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the-master-said-the-only-fit/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/i-make-no-other-answer-than-the-act-the-master-said-the-only-fit/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```