“The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech; lest he either…”

The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech; lest he either utter what ought to be suppressed or suppress what he ought to utter. For, as incautious speaking leads into error, so indiscreet silence leaves in error those who might have been instructed.

Gregory I · The Book of Pastoral Rule · NPNF2 XII, Pastoral Rule, Part II

Written by the bishop of Rome about bishops who, fearing to lose human favour, shrink from saying what is right. He goes on to call them the dumb dogs of Isaiah that cannot bark, and hirelings who fly when the wolf comes by hiding themselves under silence.