---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If an ordinary person is silent, it may…"
description: "\"If an ordinary person is silent, it may be a tactical maneuver. If a writer is silent, he is lying.\" — Jaroslav Seifert"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/jaroslav-seifert-32310_ordinary-person_if-an-ordinary-person-is-silent-it-may-b_1531570.jpg"
---

#  If an ordinary person is silent, it may be a tactical…

![“If an ordinary person is silent, it may be a tactical maneuver. If a writer is silent, he is lying.” quote by Jaroslav Seifert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/jaroslav-seifert-32310_ordinary-person_if-an-ordinary-person-is-silent-it-may-b_1531570.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/jaroslav-seifert-32310_ordinary-person_if-an-ordinary-person-is-silent-it-may-b_1531570.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/jaroslav-seifert-32310_ordinary-person_if-an-ordinary-person-is-silent-it-may-b_1531570.jpg)

> “If an ordinary person is silent, it may be a tactical maneuver. If a writer is silent, he is lying.”

[Jaroslav Seifert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaroslav-seifert/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Silence can be a strategic choice for the average person, but for a writer it equates to deceit because words are their duty.

**In simple terms:** Being silent is a tactic for some, but a writer must speak truth.

Key Takeaway

Writers should speak honestly; silence may betray.

Themes

integrity communication responsibility

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

ethical reflective

When to use this quote

- political activism
- literary criticism
- personal relationships

Key Concepts

ethics authenticity expression

Questions to Reflect On

- When is silence a moral choice?
- How does silence affect trust?

A Different Perspective

Silence can also protect and preserve safety, not just betray.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

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