The Pythagorean Silence: A Superior Form of Wisdom

Pythagorean silence is contrasted with eloquence and found to be more admirable. In late antiquity a number of depictions of Pythagorean philosophers appear, in which the act of silence is seen as superior form of discourse. There's an amazing tale recounted in chapter 31 of Yom Bluchus' On the Pythagorean Life,. The provenance of this might belong to much earlier times or it might not - we don't know.