Being Silent Like Aragorn and Godfather

Photo: Me

I recall a scene from Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather,” where the brash son of Don Sonny Corleone speaks out during negotiations, and Vito Corleone, the head of the family, the godfather himself, gives him a lesson.

He advises “never to reveal one’s thoughts to strangers.”

Marlon Brando portrayed this brilliantly in Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic adaptation. He showcased authority and confidence by restraining impulsive urges and employing convincing yet gentle oratory. Silence is a potent tool in communication, captivating attention and compelling people to act due to the discomfort it evokes.

Refraining from verbal excess, speaking with certainty and precision, without embellishment, while maintaining eye contact, conveys formidable credibility and authority in communication.

Silence is power, enabling control and concealing intentions, ultimately diminishing the strength of adversaries. Vito and Michael Corleone guard the privacy of their thoughts, revealing them only when necessary. They control the flow of information, concealing intentions, ultimately reducing the strength of those who seek to harm them.

Michael leverages the power of silence in decision-making, using it for a strategic assessment of choices and avoiding hasty decisions in the heat of the moment.

Sonny’s impulsiveness led to his downfall, while Michael’s silence made him strong.

Emphasizing the practice of restraint and careful choice of words aligns with the idea of embodying mature and balanced behavior, akin to the archetype of a wise king.

Remember Aragorn from “The Lord of the Rings”?

Vigo Mortensen, in his memorable role, portrayed the king excellently. One of Aragorn’s most popular character traits in the film series was his distinctive quiet voice. He rarely shouted, except in times of great frustration or battle. For the rest of the time, he spoke in soft tones, almost with an added aura of mystery. Although part of a long line of kings, Aragorn never allowed it to change him. He knew his strengths, acknowledged his weaknesses, and even when pushed to lead a charge, he never became arrogant.

His quiet self-confidence, unassuming demeanor, withdrawn yet brave leadership style, made him a respected figure in the fight against the forces of evil and a splendid companion on the journey.

In a world dominated by constant chatter and the pursuit of being heard, the art of silence is often overlooked. Society tends to associate strength with vocal proficiency, the ability to express opinions, and verbal affirmation of one’s views.

However, true power lies in knowing when to speak and when to be silent.

Silence is challenging to maintain, and therefore, mastering the void between words can be a true superpower. Effective negotiators understand this well. Our culture does not like silence. Try waiting a while after the other person stops speaking before responding. See what happens.

We all want to be the person who speaks eloquently, someone who amuses or appears wise and well-informed. But will we really achieve the desired effect? Will we be able to use silence in the right way, so as not to seem apathetic, arrogant, or foolish?

We should learn to use silence to avoid saying something wrong or getting into an argument.

We should also appreciate those who don’t have an opinion on every topic.

“Silence at the right time is wisdom and is better than any speech.” — Plutarch

The ability to wisely be silent is not an innate talent and can be learned, enhancing the quality of our lives and relationships.

Thanks For Reading My Article and follow me for more insights.

Radek Budnicki

Sources:

1. Sonny Corleone in "The Godfather" Film Essay ivypanda.com

2. 4 Leadership Lessons from Aragorn forbes.com