Rumi Quotes on Silence

Rumi was a 13th century Persian poet who is still today considered one of the most popular poets in the world. He wrote about many things, but one of the most recurrent themes in his work is silence.

Rumi believed that silence was a great source of strength and could help us to find our true selves.

In our modern world, it can be difficult to find silence. We are bombarded with noise from all sides – from the news, social media, our ‘smart’ phones, and more. And even when we’re not being actively assaulted by noise, our minds are often racing, thinking about all the things we have to do.

For Rumi, then, silence wasn’t just about avoiding noise. It was an active pursuit of inner peace, self-awareness and understanding.

Even if it’s just a few minutes each day, carving out some time to be silent can help us to feel calmer and more centered. It can also help us to be more present in the moment, and to appreciate all the good things in our lives.

These quotes by Rumi all help to illustrate his reasoning for why ‘silence’ is so important.

“Silence gives answers.” Rumi

“In the silence between your heartbeat bides a summons. Do you hear it? Name it if you must, or leave it forever nameless, but why pretend it is not there?” Rumi

“All is known in the sacredness of silence.” Rumi

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too full to talk about.” Rumi

“There is a way between voice and presence, where information flows. In disciplined silence it opens; with wandering talk it closes.” Rumi

“Silence is the sea, and speech is like the river. The sea is seeking you: don’t seek the river. Don’t turn your head away from the signs offered by the sea.” Rumi

“I closed my mouth and spoke to you in a hundred silent ways.” Rumi

“Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking. Live in silence.” Rumi

“Silence is the root of everything. If you spiral into its void a hundred voices will thunder messages you long to hear.” Rumi

“This silence, this moment, every moment, If it’s genuinely inside you, brings what you need.” Rumi

“In silence there is eloquence. Stop weaving and see how the pattern improves.” Rumi

“Sing to me in the silence of your heart and I will rise up to hear your triumphant song.” Rumi

“I will be waiting here…. For your silence to break, For your soul to shake, For your love to wake!” Rumi

“In the silence of LOVE you will find the Spark of LIFE.” Rumi

“Listen! Clam up your mouth and be silent like an oyster shell, for that tongue of yours is the enemy of the soul, my friend. When the lips are silent, the heart has a hundred tongues.” Rumi

“Let silence take you to the core of life.” Rumi

“Last night

I begged the wise one to tell me

the secret of the world.

Gently, gently, he whispered,

“Be quiet,

the secret cannot be spoken,

It is wrapped in silence.””

Rumi

“This silence, this moment, every moment, if it’s genuinely inside you, brings what you need. There’s nothing to believe. Only when I stopped believing in myself did I come into this beauty. Sit quietly, and listen for a voice that will say, ‘Be more silent.’ Die and be quiet. Quietness is the surest sign that you’ve died. Your old life was a frantic running from silence. Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking. Live in silence.” Rumi

“This is how it always is when I finish a poem. A great silence overcomes me and I wonder why I ever thought to use language.” Rumi

If you’re interested in exploring silence further, there are a few simple things you can do. You could try meditating or spending time in nature. Or you could simply turn off all your electronic devices for an hour or so each day, and spend that time reading, talking with loved ones, or simply sitting quietly and thinking.

Whatever you do, remember that silence is a powerful tool. It can help us to find peace, to connect with others, and to appreciate the beauty of life.