Wise men say nothing in dangerous times.

The saying counsels prudence: in periods of political turmoil or repression, speech can carry disproportionate risk, and silence may be the wiser course. It reflects a realist view of power—when institutions are unstable or punitive, truth-telling may not be rewarded, and even neutral remarks can be weaponized. The line also implies that wisdom includes self-preservation and strategic restraint, not merely the possession of good judgment. At the same time, it raises an ethical tension: if the wise remain silent, public discourse may be dominated by the reckless or the coercive. The quote thus sits uneasily between caution and complicity, inviting readers to weigh safety against civic responsibility.