[Ads-l] Quote Origin: Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

The statement in the subject line has been attributed to Leonardo da
Vinci and Charles de Gaulle. I was asked to investigate. I found no
substantive support for the ascription to Leonardo Da Vinci who died
in 1519. Da Vinci implausibly received credit in 2004. Perhaps a list
member can clarify this attribution.

The earliest match I found appeared in 1931 within the French military
journal "Revue Militaire Française". Charles de Gaulle published an
article titled "Du Prestige" ("Of Prestige") which contained the
following passage:

[Begin excerpt]
La sobriété du discours accentue le relief de l’attitude. Rien ne
rehausse l’autorité mieux que le silence, splendeur des forts et
refuge des faibles, pudeur des orgueilleux et fierté des humbles,
prudence des sages et esprit des sots. Pour l’homme qui désire ou qui
tremble, le mouvement naturel est de chercher dans les mots un
dérivatif à l’angoisse.
[End excerpt]

In 1932 Charles de Gaulle published "Le Fil de l'épée" ("The Edge of
the Sword") which included the article "Du Prestige". Translator
Gerard Hopkins rendered this work into English in 1960. The paragraph
above appeared as follows:

[Begin excerpt]
Sobriety of speech supplies a useful contrast to theatricality of
manner. Nothing more enhances authority than silence. It is the
crowning virtue of the strong, the refuge of the weak, the modesty of
the proud, and pride of the humble, the prudence of the wise, and the
sense of fools. The man who is moved by desire or fear is naturally
led to seek relief in words.
[End excerpt]

Here is a link to the Quote Investigator article on this topic:
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2026/01/22/enhances-authority/

Feedback welcome
Garson O'Toole
QuoteInvestigator.com

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