And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
Ver. 62. Answerest thou nothing?] No, nothing, unless it had been to better purpose; for σιγαν χρη, η κρεισσονα σιγης λεγειν, saith the wise heathen. Either hold thy peace or say something that is worth hearing. And, πασιν απολογεισθαι θεραπευτικον. (Plato.) To answer every slight accusation is servile. Some are so thin they may be seen through, others so gross that they need no refutation. a These hypocrites were not worthy of an answer from our Saviour, who knew also that now was the time not of apologizing, but of suffering; therefore "as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth," Isaiah 53:7. Besides, he saw that his enemies were resolved to have his blood, and therefore held it more glorious, τη σιωπη το ονειδος πνιγειν, as Basil hath it, to choke their spite with silence, et iniuriam tacendo fugere, potius quam respondendo superare, as another saith, to set them down by saying nothing.
a Tenue mendacium pellucet. Sen.