Silentium by Fyodor Tyutchev

within your soul a world has grown

Today I bring¹ you Silentium, a poem by Russian poet Fyodor (Theodor) Tyutchev, translated by Vladimir Nabokov. Apparently, Tyutchev wrote it as a memo to himself and only published it later, when his friends convinced him to do so. This poem is a handy tool meant to assist you in understanding Russian character.

Russian culture is text-centric. We adore novels and poems, and our trust in a written (but not spoken) word is somewhat religious in nature. I’m not really sure whether this is an ancient or recent feature. Some people say we inherited this from our Byzantine roots. Other say French invented Russian literature to replace Orthodox Christianity. Either way, when you speak with Russian, have a set of readied lines from major Russian works. This is a sure way to win his or her trust (alcohol wouldn’t hurt either, but where would it?).

First, the poem consists of three parts, each ending with the same call to action — speak no word. Russians are very emotional by nature, but they are northern nation, and they don’t like to express these emotions. Striving in cold and unforgiving environment requires a silent contemplation of the inner and outer world and it is best done in silence. Don’t speak much, listen and when you reply make sure you connect emotionally with the part of yourself, that engages in the conversation.

Second, a thought once uttered is untrue. This line indicates an obsession with truth, a deep theme in Russin culture. We believe that truth has divine properties and when one’s actions are based on truth, he will prevail. But the truth is not limited to a logical conclusion from a set of propositions. The existence is too complex to grasp by rational mind. For Russians truth is universal, holistic and divine. One can only grasp it intuitevely and awe in silence.

Third, within your soul a world has grown. Russians give much (sometimes too much) credit to their inner voices. As a practitioner of Internal Family Systems I can’t help but recognize the sound advice of its author, Richard C. Schwartz. The voices inside may be conflicting, but in the end listening to them and giving them attention opens up a road to Self. When you deal with Russians, don’t try to logic your way through. Listen to them, and listen to how your own nature responds.

And now forget what I just said and enjoy the poem.

Speak not, lie hidden, and conceal

the way you dream, the things you feel.

Deep in your spirits let them rise

akin to stars in crystal skies

that set before the night is blurred:

delight in them and speak no word.

–

How can a heart expression find?

How should another know your mind?

Will he discern what quickens you?

A thought once uttered is untrue.

Dimmed is the fountainhead when stirred:

drink at the source and speak no word.

–

Live in your inner self alone

within your soul a world has grown,

the magic of veiled thoughts that might

be blinded by the outer light,

drowned in the noise of day, unheard…

take in their song and speak no word.

1. I wanted to illustrate it with some serene cliche beriozka landscape, but instead used a line from this poem as a prompt for Kandinsky 2.2.