SILENCE AND THE LAKOTA SIOUX..Chief Luther Standing Bear, Teton Sioux

Silence was meaningful with the Lakota, and his granting a  space of silence before talking was done in the practice of true politeness and regardful of the rule that "Thought comes before speech".

And in the midst of sorrow, sickness, death, or misfortune of any kind, and in the presence of the notable and great, silence was the mark of respect. More powerful than words was silence with the Lakota.

In strict observance of his tenet of good behavior was the reason no doubt, for his being given the false characterization by the white man of being a stoic.
He was judged to be dumb, stupid, indifferent and unfeeling.

As a matter or truth, he was most sympathetic of men, but his emotions of depth and sincerity were tempered with control. Silence meant to the Lakota what it meant to Disraeli when he said "Silence in the mother of truth" for the silent man was ever trusted, while the man ever ready with speech was never taken seriously.