The mark of solitude is silence, as speech is the mark of community. Silence and speech have the same inner correspondence and difference as do solitude and community. One does not exist without the other. Right speech comes out of silence, and right silence comes out of speech.

Summary

This quote highlights the interconnectedness of solitude and community, as well as silence and speech. It suggests that silence is the defining characteristic of solitude, representing being alone, while speech signifies the presence of others in a community. It emphasizes that these two concepts rely on each other; silence grows from speech, and speech finds its source in silence. Furthermore, the quote implies that there is a balance to be found between these two aspects – practicing proper speech requires cultivating moments of silence and vice versa.

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