El silencio en el maestro

Abstract

Only by analyzing the idea of silence we can include this attitude among the virtues of those who perform the teaching function. The doctor García Hoz defines silence as the absence of every useless word. The idea of silence is justified in the teaching function if we consider the value it has for the intellectual and moral education. In the first aspect it is generally acknowledged the superiority of direct, silent learning and the necessity of training the pupil to learn by his own. In the second aspect silence is an excellent means to avoid punishments and an efficient auxiliary in the administration of the same. Silence puts order into education and social relationships; now and then the teacher shall be silent to see in what way the pupil can confront truth. The author ends by remembering that S. John Baptist de la Salle recommends the habit of silence in the training of teachers.