William the Silent

Several hundred years ago -- before the use of family names became common -- there lived in Europe a soldier named William who became famous as the founder of the Dutch Republic, and, as a man who knew when to speak and when to keep quiet. This self-control earned him the name “the Silent.”

In history books he is listed as “William of Orange, prince of Nassau, surnamed the SILENT.”

It was in the mid 1500’s that this remarkable army commander lived and fought (and married four times) and greatly helped the Netherlands shake off the intolerable domination of the Spanish, much as George Washington, two hundred years later, helped the struggling American Colonies free themselves from the British.

William the Silent was only 22 when he was entrusted with the chief command of the army of the Netherlands. One historian explains his contribution to history, and his name, this way:

“The Dutch Netherlands succeeded in throwing off the tyranny of Spain (because of) the great abilities and patriotic efforts of Prince William of Orange. He is called William ‘the Silent,’ from the good sense with which he held his tongue ...“

William did “hold his tongue” and thus he changed the course of history in Europe and ultimately in America. (Had it not been that Spain was so occupied with the revolt of her Dutch subjects, she could have done more toward colonizing America. Who knows, except for William the Silent, this southeastern part of the U.S.A. might now be an independent Spanish-speaking nation! And, Fort Rucker wouldn’t even be here!)

William the Silent knew how to be discreet, all right. But it is quite possible that he knew less about the make up of the human tongue than we do.

We know the tongue is actually a complex muscle, the only one in the body which is attached at one end and romping free at the other. It is covered with a membrane studded with some 3,000 taste buds of four different sizes and shapes called “papillae.” Latin name for the whole tongue is “corpus linguae.”

The taste buds can distinguish four tastes: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Those most sensitive to sweet are on the tip of the tongue.

But the tongue has numerous duties besides tasting. It plays a big role in taking food -- more than 500 pounds per year -- into the mouth and helping to grind it up. It has been described as a “combination of graters, rolling pins, kneading boards, brushes, and rakes and points” that act on the food and drink we put into our mouths.

This versatile structure, far more sensitive than the fingers, is directly connected with the sense of touch and is constantly sending messages to the central nervous system about the condition of the mouth and all that comes into it.

What William the Silent did know about the tongue is this: it is when a person wishes to speak that the tongue does its best, or worst, work. On cue from the brain -- and in league with the vocal cords, the throat, the teeth and lips -- the tongue changes shape and positions to make a vast number of different sounds.

By lumping of flattening or furling and unfurling his tongue, man can produce a cry, a hiss, a moan, a whine, a grunt of disgust or a murmur of delight, a laugh full of derision and disdain, or a laugh filled with merriment and joy. And there are many, many other sounds and feelings and ideas, both good and bad, the tongue will let fly on command.

William the Silent was not born knowing how to control his tongue. Neither are we. It is a thing that has to be learned, and practiced. It takes only self-discipline.

Let’s give it a try. What we do not say may never affect the history of two continents. But it will make for peace and quiet around the house. And nobody will call us “Tillie Loose Tongue,” or “Betty Blabbermouth,” or some other such uncomplimentary name!

Published August 1978. Click your browser’s “Back” button to return.