Selfish silence

(Baonghean)In many cases, silence is not a good thing, but rather a sign of selfishness...

Smoking in public can annoy many, but not everyone speaks up to remind or criticize. Bus operators, driven by greed, often harass passengers by cramming in extra people or driving around aimlessly to waste time and pick up more customers, causing frustration, but sometimes people only react by grumbling under their breath. Seeing two people fighting, many gather to watch. But not everyone is brave enough to intervene. Someone involved in an accident cries for help, but many turn a blind eye and walk past… This silence or indifference stems from selfishness, from the fear of “getting involved and causing trouble!”

The image is for illustrative purposes only.

Silence and self-preservation are quite common in workplaces. Many people adopt a "hide-and-seek" attitude, ignoring unpleasant things around them in order to maintain their own "peace." This explains why some officials, initially praised, become defendants in major corruption cases when scandals break out. Similarly, in organizations with thousands of employees, no one dares to speak out against internal wrongdoings; only when the press or outsiders expose them do the issues come to light. It's unconvincing to claim that those within the organization are unaware; on the contrary, they often know but choose to remain silent for the money.

Furthermore, in the "Current Affairs" segment on Vietnam Radio, many retired officials make insightful contributions to current national issues, while the opinions of current officials are often rather bland. This doesn't mean retirees are more intelligent or insightful than those still working. The main reason many people don't dare speak the truth is fear of affecting their interests or creating difficulties for themselves while still in office; only after retirement can they freely express their honest opinions. Silence and avoidance of the truth, especially in the face of negative or unpleasant events, are becoming increasingly common, to the point that internal "self-criticism and criticism" is becoming merely a formality in many workplaces. The root cause of this phenomenon is simply the pursuit of narrow, personal interests.

Alongside silence and closed-mindedness, there are still those who are willing to plunge into raging waters to save lives, apprehend robbers in the street, and speak out against wrongdoing within their own organizations... even knowing that doing so will put them at a disadvantage, or even cost them their lives. These are courageous people, selflessly dedicated to justice and to others. They are truly precious!

Nguyen Trong Hoat

(Da Nang City)