20230628_Thoughts on the saying: Silence or having no opinion does not indicate low intelligence, but rather indicates intelligence.
Introduction
Hello, I'm Kei.
Up until now, I have introduced content and words that I thought were "encouraging" or "might be useful." This time, I will also introduce a "might be useful" saying for living a good life.
The saying I am introducing this time
The saying I would like to introduce this time, as I believe it is useful for life, is
Silence or having no opinion does not indicate low intelligence, but rather indicates intelligence.
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Interpretation and thoughts
Interpretation
By responding with "silence" or "I don't know" when asked something, you can also express your own intelligence (thoughts or judgment).
Thoughts
This was a sentence that appeared while I was watching an explanatory video for 'Think Clearly,' and at first, I couldn't understand it. After thinking about it a little and chewing on it, I thought it was a profound sentence.
Generally, I think people who do not speak up in a discussion setting are seen as people without ideas. I think this is how it is perceived in Japan as well, although perhaps less so than in the West. I couldn't understand it the first time I heard it.
Looking back at my own knowledge, I remembered the episode where Jia Xu remained silent when asked by Cao Cao about his successor.
It was a time when Cao Cao was entering old age and was troubled by the issue of his successor. Should it be his eldest son, Cao Pi? Or his third son, Cao Zhi?
Since Cao Cao could not decide for a long time, the group of vassals also split into two factions, but even in such a situation, Jia Xu remained silent without siding with either one. Finally, Cao Cao, who was at his wit's end, consulted Jia Xu.
"Should it be Cao Pi, or should it be Cao Zhi? I want to hear your frank opinion."
However, even then, Jia Xu remained silent and would not answer. When asked again, Jia Xu finally opened his heavy mouth.
"I am very sorry, I was just thinking about something."
"Oh? What were you thinking about that made you ignore my words?"
"I was thinking about Yuan Shao and Liu Biao and their sons."
Both of these men destroyed their countries by disinheriting their eldest sons. Even when asked, he avoided answering directly and chose his words carefully. Cao Cao laughed heartily as if he had been relieved of a burden and decided to make Cao Pi his successor.
Recalling this episode, I felt like I could understand the meaning of the saying "Silence or having no opinion does not indicate low intelligence, but rather indicates intelligence.."
I think this saying has the premise that "you are evaluated to a certain extent within the community, and the other party and those around you also have intelligence.." I thought this was a high level of communication ability when this premise is met. When this premise is met, you can make people think things like, "Why is he not saying anything this time when he always makes accurate remarks?" or "Why is he remaining silent this time when he was quick to respond until just a moment ago?" I think the other party and those around you will end up thinking about your intentions. I thought that by making them think about your intentions, you are conveying "your own thoughts and judgments."
I tend to focus only on superficial things, so I am not good at this kind of high-level communication, but I wanted to be able to do it someday.
Conclusion
When the premise that "you are evaluated to a certain extent within the community, and the other party and those around you also have intelligence" is met, I think your silence or having no opinion can also express intelligence. It is a high level of communication ability that considers various people, but by acquiring it, I think you can navigate well within the community. I think it's difficult to execute suddenly, so I think it's fine to aim for it little by little.
Let's aim together to become people with high-level communication skills who consider various people!
I hope this will be helpful to someone.
This is an introduction to an article I wrote about words.
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