Hold thy PEACE to keep the peace

Meaning & Analysis

By remaining silent or refraining from speaking out, one helps to maintain harmony and prevent conflict.

Insights

Conflict Avoidance

The proverb suggests that restraining one's tongue is essential for preserving social or domestic tranquility—silence can be an active tool for defusing tension.

Self-Discipline as Harmony

It implies that true peace, whether in relationships or communities, depends not just on external circumstances but on each person's ability to exercise self-control over their words.

Domestic and Social Application

Historically, this saying was often directed at domestic or hierarchical situations (such as marriage or service), reflecting the practical wisdom that peace in households and groups is maintained by tempering speech, especially in moments of provocation.

Moral and Social Philosophy

Echoing classical and biblical teachings, the proverb encapsulates a widely shared moral lesson: unnecessary or ill-timed words are the root of much discord, while silence frequently fosters goodwill and social cohesion.

Psychological Self-Regulation

From a psychological perspective, the proverb identifies emotional self-restraint as a crucial skill for sustaining harmonious relationships—suggesting that peace is as much a matter of inner discipline as of external agreement.

Rhetorical Devices

Paronomasia

The repetition of 'peace' in different senses—both personal silence and social harmony—creates a wordplay that reinforces the message’s unity.

Imperative Mood

The direct command 'Hold thy peace' gives the proverb the force of practical advice or instruction, increasing its authority and immediacy.

Antithesis

The underlying opposition between speaking (potential conflict) and silence (peace) dramatizes the proverb's ethical choice.

silencepeaceharmonyrestraintconflictself-control

Analyzed with gpt-4.1 on July 10, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

Sometimes she must observe the servant's lesson .. Not answering again, and hold her peace to keep the peace.

— 1591, H. SMITH, Preparative Marriage, Wks., I 30

Hold thy peace and enioy peace; vnseasonable talke is the mother of debate.

— 1611, COT., s.v. Paix

He that holds his peace of, is at peace with, all men.

— Ibid., s.v. Taire

Related Proverbs

P613 With PROSPERITY be thou not lifted up and with adversity be not cast down 91.1%E109 In a hundred ELLS of contention there is not an inch of love 91.1%P367 He deserves no PITY that chooses to do amiss twice 91.1%H166 Better the HARM I know than that I know not 90.9%P610 He that considers in PROSPERITY will be less afflicted in adversity 90.9%A365 One poor ASS cannot carry two burdens 90.8%P649 An empty PURSE makes one wise, but too late 90.8%A23 Short ACQUAINTANCE brings repentance 90.8%N331 They that have NOTHING need fear to lose nothing 90.6%E202 It is good to prevent an EVIL in the beginning 90.5%T374 I will not make a TOIL of a pleasure 90.4%P556 PRAYERS and provender hinder no journey 90.3%R71 There is no REMEDY but patience 90.3%D393 As good undone as DO it too soon 90.3%Y50 A well-bred YOUTH neither speaks of himself nor, being spoken to, is silent 90.3%F494 It is better to marry a quiet FOOL than a witty scold 90.3%P241 The PERSUASION of the fortunate sways the doubtful 90.3%A378 It is better to be mute than with an ASS to dispute 90.3%I15 Of IDLENESS comes no goodness 90.3%A44 Though old and wise yet still ADVISE 90.2%

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