Letters of Ignatius 16

1It is better to be silent and to be than to speak and not to be. It is a fine thing to teach, if the speaker practices. Now there is one teacher who spoke, and it came to pass. Indeed, even the things he has done in silence are worthy of the Father.

2Whoever truly possesses the word of Jesus is also able to listen to his silence, so that he may be perfect—so that through his speech he may act, and through his silence he may be known.

3Nothing is hidden from the Lord; even our secrets are near to him. Therefore, let us do everything knowing that he dwells in us, so that we may be his temples and he himself may be in us as our God. This is so, and it will also be made clear before our eyes through the love that we rightly bear toward him.