Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 4/15/2016, 3:38 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna in Avos (3;13) says a "fence for wisdom is silence".
The commentators explain this to mean that either through being silent a person will attain wisdom or that silence is a sign of true wisdom. Either way silence is a trait for the wise.
The Vilna Goan in his commentary on Sefer Mishlei, explains this in a fascinating way. When a person speaks he gains no knew knowledge he only disseminates the wisdom he already has attained. On the other hand if a person is quiet and listens instead of speaking he has the opportunity to attain greater knowledge. Therefore silence is a way to attain wisdom.