For the Lakota, granting a space of silence before speaking was regardful of the rule that "thought comes before speech."

"Silence was meaningful with the Lakota, and his granting a space of silence before talking was . . . regardful of the rule that 'thought comes before speech' . . . Silence was the mark of respect.  More powerful than words was silence with the Lakota . . . Silence meant what it meant to Disraeli when he said, 'Silence is the mother of truth,' for the silent man was ever to be trusted, while the man ever ready with speech was never taken seriously . . . Conversation was never begun at once, or in a hurried manner.  No one was quick with a question, no matter how important, and no one was pressed for an answer.  A pause giving time for thought was the truly courteous way of beginning and conducting a conversation . . . As a little child, it was instilled into me to be silent and reticent.  This was one of the most important traits to form the character of the Indian 

. . . It was considered absolutely necessary, and was thought to lay the foundations of patience and self-control."

Chief Luther Standing Bear

Teton Lakota

Photo: Late light sculpts a snowfield and a peak of the Medicine Bow Range, near Montgomery Pass, CO; March 16, 2012