--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes, to remain silent is to lie…" description: "\"Sometimes, to remain silent is to lie, since silence can be interpreted as assent.\" — Miguel de Unamuno" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assent_sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-sin_2002733.png" --- # Sometimes, to remain silent is to lie, since silence can… ![“Sometimes, to remain silent is to lie, since silence can be interpreted as assent.” quote by Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assent_sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-sin_2002733.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assent_sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-sin_2002733.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assent_sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-sin_2002733.png) > “Sometimes, to remain silent is to lie, since silence can be interpreted as assent.” [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) ## 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 taken as agreement, making it a form of falsehood when truth should be spoken. **In simple terms:** Staying quiet may be lying. Key Takeaway Speak truthfully when needed. Themes ethics communication integrity Mood thoughtful serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - legal testimony - personal relationships - public debates - workplace meetings Key Concepts moral responsibility social pressure Questions to Reflect On - When is silence justified? - How can you express dissent without causing harm? A Different Perspective Silence may be necessary for safety or privacy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) ## Related quotes > [“Sometimes to be silent is to lie.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/sometimes-to-be-silent-is-to-lie/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [When people are forced to remain silent when they are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dalrymple/when-people-are-forced-to-remain-silent-when-they-are-being-told-the/) [Theodore Dalrymple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dalrymple/) > [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/) > [Silence is a lie. Silence has a loud voice. It shouts, "Nothing important is happening - don't worry." So when something important IS going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-m-rosenthal/silence-is-a-lie-silence-has-a-loud-voice-it-shouts-nothing-important/) [A. M. Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-m-rosenthal/) > [He knew the lie of silence to be as evil as the lie of speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-parker/he-knew-the-lie-of-silence-to-be-as-evil-as-the-lie-of-speech/) [Gilbert Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-parker/) > [“Branwell told a cruel lie in silence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-konigsburg-2/branwell-told-a-cruel-lie-in-silence/) [E.L. Konigsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-konigsburg-2/) > [“A life, a history, whole patterns of existence altered, simply by doing nothing. The silent lie. The act of omission.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aminatta-forna/a-life-a-history-whole-patterns-of-existence-altered-simply-by-doing/) [Aminatta Forna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aminatta-forna/) > [It is better to speak your mind and tell the truth than to stay silent and lie to yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-better-to-speak-your-mind-and-tell-the-truth-than-to-stay/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its better to speak your mind and to tell the truth than to stay silent and lie to yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aalaynah-thompson/its-better-to-speak-your-mind-and-to-tell-the-truth-than-to-stay/) [Aalaynah Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aalaynah-thompson/) > [Among other common lies, we have the silent lie - the deception which one conveys by simply keeping still and concealing the truth. Many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/among-other-common-lies-we-have-the-silent-lie-the-deception-which/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [It is also certain that when we assent to some piece of reasoning when our perception of it is lacking, then either we go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-sosa/it-is-also-certain-that-when-we-assent-to-some-piece-of-reasoning/) [Ernest Sosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-sosa/) > [not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of . . . but to place before mankind the common sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/not-to-find-out-new-principles-or-new-arguments-never-before-thought/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“To fail to experience gratitude when walking through the corridors of the Metropolitan Museum, when listening to the music of Bach or Beethoven, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley/to-fail-to-experience-gratitude-when-walking-through-the-corridors-of/) [William F. Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley/) > [I trust the time is nigh when, with the universal assent of civilized people, all international differences shall be determined without resort to arms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-a-arthur/i-trust-the-time-is-nigh-when-with-the-universal-assent-of-civilized/) [Chester A. Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-a-arthur/) > [I find myself frequently placed where I dare give neither assent nor dissent to propositions that are submitted to me; for there is danger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/i-find-myself-frequently-placed-where-i-dare-give-neither-assent-nor/) [Ellen G. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/) ## More by Miguel de Unamuno > [The pessimism that protests and defends itself cannot be truly said to be pessimism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/the-pessimism-that-protests-and-defends-itself-cannot-be-truly-said/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [We should try to be the parents of our future rather than the offspring of our past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/we-should-try-to-be-the-parents-of-our-future-rather-than-the/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [We never know, believe me, when we have succeeded best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/we-never-know-believe-me-when-we-have-succeeded-best/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [A lot of good arguments are spoiled by some fool who knows what he is talking about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/a-lot-of-good-arguments-are-spoiled-by-some-fool-who-knows-what-he-is/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [Philosophy fulfills the need to create for ourselves a single and complete concept of the world and of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/philosophy-fulfills-the-need-to-create-for-ourselves-a-single-and/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [None are so likely to believe too little as those who have begun by believing too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/none-are-so-likely-to-believe-too-little-as-those-who-have-begun-by/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [The devil is an angel too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/the-devil-is-an-angel-too/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [My work...is to shatter the faith of men here, there, and everywhere, faith in affirmation, faith in negation, and faith in abstention from faith,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/my-work-is-to-shatter-the-faith-of-men-here-there-and-everywhere/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [“I must not throw away my village to win my soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/i-must-not-throw-away-my-village-to-win-my-soul/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [Everything that exalts and expands consciousness is good, while that which depresses and diminishes it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/everything-that-exalts-and-expands-consciousness-is-good-while-that/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [Was man made for science, or was science made for man?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/was-man-made-for-science-or-was-science-made-for-man/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [We need God, not in order to understand the why, but in order to feel and sustain the ultimate wherefore, to give a meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/we-need-god-not-in-order-to-understand-the-why-but-in-order-to-feel/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [Science says: 'We must live,' and seeks the means of prolonging, increasing, facilitating and amplifying life, of making it tolerable and acceptable, wisdom says:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/science-says-we-must-live-and-seeks-the-means-of-prolonging/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [To love with the spirit is to pity, and he who pities most loves most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/to-love-with-the-spirit-is-to-pity-and-he-who-pities-most-loves-most/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [These terrible sociologists, who are the astrologers and alchemists of our twentieth century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/these-terrible-sociologists-who-are-the-astrologers-and-alchemists-of/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) [Explore all 153 Miguel de Unamuno quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) ## More Assent quotes > [I find myself frequently placed where I dare give neither assent nor dissent to propositions that are submitted to me; for there is danger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/i-find-myself-frequently-placed-where-i-dare-give-neither-assent-nor/) [Ellen G. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/) > [I trust the time is nigh when, with the universal assent of civilized people, all international differences shall be determined without resort to arms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-a-arthur/i-trust-the-time-is-nigh-when-with-the-universal-assent-of-civilized/) [Chester A. Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-a-arthur/) > [“To fail to experience gratitude when walking through the corridors of the Metropolitan Museum, when listening to the music of Bach or Beethoven, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley/to-fail-to-experience-gratitude-when-walking-through-the-corridors-of/) [William F. Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley/) > [not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of . . . but to place before mankind the common sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/not-to-find-out-new-principles-or-new-arguments-never-before-thought/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It is also certain that when we assent to some piece of reasoning when our perception of it is lacking, then either we go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-sosa/it-is-also-certain-that-when-we-assent-to-some-piece-of-reasoning/) [Ernest Sosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-sosa/) > [Be-and yet know the great void where all things begin, the infinite source of your own most intense vibration, so that, this once, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/be-and-yet-know-the-great-void-where-all-things-begin-the-infinite/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [Every formula of every religion has in this age of reason, to submit to the acid test of reason and universal assent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-formula-of-every-religion-has-in-this-age-of-reason-to-submit/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When people are forced to remain silent when they are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dalrymple/when-people-are-forced-to-remain-silent-when-they-are-being-told-the/) [Theodore Dalrymple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dalrymple/) > [In science, 'fact' can only mean 'confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional assent.' I suppose that apples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-jay-gould/in-science-fact-can-only-mean-confirmed-to-such-a-degree-that-it/) [Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-jay-gould/) > [I hope you realize, in a democracy, laughter is assent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-franken/i-hope-you-realize-in-a-democracy-laughter-is-assent/) [Al Franken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-franken/) > [Assent - and you are sane - Demur - and you're straightaway dangerous - and handled with a chain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/assent-and-you-are-sane-demur-and-you-re-straightaway-dangerous-and/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“May I inquire what is the point?” he snapped impatiently. “Indeed you may,” Lucinda said, thinking madly for some way to prod him into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/may-i-inquire-what-is-the-point-he-snapped-impatiently-indeed-you-may/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [It is your own assent to yourself, and the constant voice of your own reason, and not of others, that should make you believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/it-is-your-own-assent-to-yourself-and-the-constant-voice-of-your-own/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [“Belief, in this sense, seems to me to be assent to a proposition which we think so overwhelmingly probable that there is a psychological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/belief-in-this-sense-seems-to-me-to-be-assent-to-a-proposition-which/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“How easy it is to read the Scriptures and give a kind of nominal assent to the truth and yet never to appropriate what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-martyn-lloyd-jones/how-easy-it-is-to-read-the-scriptures-and-give-a-kind-of-nominal/) [D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-martyn-lloyd-jones/) Browse all 48 Assent quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes, to remain silent is to lie, since silence can be interpreted as assent.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Miguel de Unamuno" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-since-silence-can-be-interpreted/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Assent" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-since-silence-can-be-interpreted/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assent_sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-sin_2002733.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assent_sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-sin_2002733.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/miguel-de-unamuno-2211_assent_sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-sin_2002733.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sometimes, to remain silent is to lie, since silence can be interpreted as assent.” — Miguel de Unamuno", "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": "Miguel de Unamuno", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sometimes, to remain silent is to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-since-silence-can-be-interpreted/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/sometimes-to-remain-silent-is-to-lie-since-silence-can-be-interpreted/#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 } } ] } ```