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From silence comes silence, from silence comes prayer, for how can one who is absent-minded pray? Attention to oneself, an attentive life is the goal of monastic life. It is said: “Take heed to yourself.” Silence, without which one cannot live, is a feat. For when someone is silent, the enemy immediately says to others: “Look how proud he is, he doesn’t even want to talk to you.” And this is not at all true. Hence the sorrow. Therefore, whoever decides to undertake this feat must prepare for sorrows. And silence itself does not come quickly or easily. But this is why it is so high and necessary because “silence is the secret of the life of the next century” (St. Isaac the Syrian). He who is silent is directly preparing for the future life. Father o. Macarius (Optina) often said: “Look, all the saints were silent: Seraphim of Sarov was silent, Arseny the Great was silent. Yes, that’s why he’s great because he was silent. When they asked him why he was silent all the time, he answered: “Believe me, brothers, that I love you all, but I cannot be with you and with God, so I am running away from you.” John Climacus has this: “When I spoke even about things that were beneficial to the soul, I often repented, but I never repented of being silent.” You might be interested in: