51 Silent Treatment Quotes That Make You Reflect on Life

At some point or the other, we have either been the recipients of the silent treatment or have dished it out to someone else. This action has always been used as a form of communication. Read these 51 silent treatment quotes to learn more.

The silent treatment is a form of emotional manipulation where a person deliberately ignores or withholds communication from another person. It can occur in personal relationships, friendships, or the workplace.

People may engage in silent treatment for various reasons, including to gain control or power over another person or as a passive-aggressive way of expressing anger or displeasure. They also use it to avoid conflict or confrontation or to punish or get revenge for what the other person did or said. It's important to note that silent treatment can be emotionally harmful and damaging to relationships.

It can lead to feelings of rejection, isolation, and confusion for the person on the receiving end. Read these 51 silent treatment quotes to understand what others think of people who use this method.

Khuliso Mamathoni's quote: "Be wise and break the silent treatment before it breaks down your relationship beyond repair. Pride repels love ask the devil he will tell you." | Image: AmoDays

Silent Treatment Quotes That Will Make You Think

"Emotional abuse is any type of abuse that is not physical in nature. It can include everything from verbal abuse to the silent treatment, domination to subtle manipulation." — Beverly Engel

"On those days when we're not ready to stop being offended, not ready to forgive, still determined to dish out the silent treatment, what we're actually saying is, "Thanks, but I don't want to become more like the Savior today. Maybe tomorrow, but not today." Perhaps those are the times when we need to pray the hardest, the times it becomes clear that a change in behavior is not enough—that we must have a change in nature." — Sheri L. Dew

"You've decided not to communicate, which is really a form of communication as well." — Emmy Kadubic

"The silent treatment and stonewalling can have actual effects on the brain. Research indicates that such behaviors are a form of ostracism which activates the anterior cingulate cortex, the same part of the brain that detects physical pain. Being ignored can leave someone feeling injured – literally. These effects linger powerfully for the victim, causing fresh abandonment wounds and reinforcing old ones." — Shahida Arabi

Beverly Engel's quote: "Emotional abuse is any type of abuse that is not physical in nature. It can include everything from verbal abuse to the silent treatment, domination to subtle manipulation." | Image: AmoDays

"By deliberately not responding to your reasonable calls, text messages, emails, or other inquiries, the manipulator presumes power by making you wait, and intends to place doubt and uncertainty in your mind. The silent treatment is a head game where silence is used as a form of leverage." — Preston Ni

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." — Martin Luther King Jr.

"What many may call 'the silent treatment' is sometimes merely a matter of some individual being angry while trying not to be angry—that internal war and self-reflection on whether or not the bomb should be dropped, and if so, in what way shall it be dropped." ― Criss Jami

"Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute." — Josh Billings

Martin Luther King Jr.'s quote: "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." | Image: AmoDays

"Silent treatment in relationship is often a sign of selfishness and weakness!" — Malbro Kingston

"Giving someone the silent treatment speaks volumes about your character." — Ralph Downey

"Relationships are marked by criticism, defensiveness, and silent treatment" — John M. Gottman

"Strength doesn't have to mean putting your problems aside or showing silent treatment. Strength is sometimes being brave enough to seek the help that you need." — J. Aleong

Malbro Kingston's quote: "Silent treatment in relationship is often a sign of selfishness and weakness!" | Image: AmoDays

"The silent treatment is not blatant; it's insidious. The only person who really feels the silent treatment is the target." — Sharie Stines

"A narcissist's silent treatment isn't because you hurt their feelings. It's manipulation to cause you psychological pain so they can further their control over you." — Russell Brand

"This 'silent treatment,' the withdrawal and avoidance, may last for a day or for years. The longer it continues, the more certain it is that resentment and bitterness will grow and fester." — Gary Chapman

Silent Treatment Quotes That Pass a Strong Message

"We have treated our most serious adversaries, such as Iran and North Korea, in the most juvenile manner—by giving them the silent treatment. In so doing, we have weakened, not strengthened, our bargaining position and our leadership." — Theodore C. Sorensen

"And they lived happily (aside from a few normal disagreements, misunderstandings, pouts, silent treatments, and unexpected calamities) ever after." — Jean Ferris

Sharie Stines' quote: "The silent treatment is not blatant; it's insidious. The only person who really feels the silent treatment is the target." | Image: AmoDays

"When she walks away, trust her when she tells you that you won't hear from her again. Because all the times she tried to speak, you silenced her or gave her the silent treatment. All those times she tried to get you to have a breakthrough, you broke her down and made her feel like the weak one." — Shahida Arabi

"Silence speaks in vibes, not sentences. So stop repeating yourself to those who continue to dis your warning signals." ― T.F. Hodge

"Powerful words that penetrate the psyche are not forgotten while silence is." ― Donna Lynn Hope

"Silence isn't always agreement. Sometimes people no longer argue because they no longer care." ― Joyce Rachelle

T.F. Hodge's quote: "Silence speaks in vibes, not sentences. So stop repeating yourself to those who continue to dis your warning signals." | Image: AmoDays

"Silence is true wisdom's best reply." — Euripides

"Speech is silver, silence is golden." — Thomas Carlyle

"Silent treatment: the fantastic devastation of unwanted silence. That heavy slink; how it hangs with purpose; mean, easy." — Sabrina Benaim

"The 'silent treatment' is used to punish another person by someone who, most likely, was raised in a dysfunctional family." — James Thomas Kesterson Jr.

Euripides' quote: "Silence is true wisdom's best reply." | Image: AmoDays

"CNs often use passive-aggressive means to punish you when you do not behave in ways they want. Sometimes they will give you the silent treatment, act as if they didn't hear you." — Debbie Mirza

"The 'Silent Treatment' makes the loudest noise of all." — Aurora Wilson

"In real, adult relationships, however, the 'silent treatment' can be a vicious weapon when used with an undertone of intimidation." — Aubrey Cole

"It's not real anger if it is implied or a few degrees removed if it takes the form of whispering, or cold shoulders, or silent treatment." — Koren Zailckas

Aurora Wilson's quote: "The 'Silent Treatment' makes the loudest noise of all." | Image: AmoDays

"Be wise and break the silent treatment before it breaks down your relationship beyond repair. Pride repels love; ask the devil he will tell you." — Khuliso Mamathoni

Silent Treatment Quotes Almost Everyone Can Relate With

"Created a word game to play with a person you're fighting with. Silent Treatment. Nothing happens until one of you quietly says, Hey, you hungry?" — Dane Cook

"Ooh, the silent treatment." — Ally Carter

"The older I got, the more apparent it became that my mother was losing control over me. She fought back fiercely with black moods, silent treatments and martyrdom. [...] The pressure was unbearable." — George Carlin

Dane Cook's quote: "Created a word game to play with a person you're fighting with. Silent Treatment. Nothing happens until one of you quietly says, Hey, you hungry?" | Image: AmoDays

"When your woman gives you the silent treatment, say you're sorry, or you'll find out how truly sorry you are when her monologue resumes." — Wes Fesler

"I kept every emotion locked up tight inside. I knew Leo was deeply hurt by my silence, and I liked hurting him, liked sharing my pain. Misery loves company, and I was a big hole of darkness, drawing everyone around me into my despair." ― Ann Mayburn

"When I am silent, I have thunder hidden inside." — Rumi

"Silence is argument carried out by other means." — Ernesto Che Guevara

Wes Fesler's quote: "When your woman gives you the silent treatment, say you're sorry, or you'll find out how truly sorry you are when her monologue resumes." | Image: AmoDays

"It's such a simple torture—the silent treatment." — Holly Bourne

"The silent treatment: A deadly killer of friendship." — Peter Jackson

"I combat the silent treatment with the 'didn't even notice' treatment." — Shelley

"A silent treatment is much effective than removing display picture." — Radhika Goel

Holly Bourne's quote: "It's such a simple torture—the silent treatment." | Image: AmoDays

"Silent treatment is the worst and most painful way to ignore someone." — Dane Patrick

"At one time or another, we have all faced the temptation to disconnect by giving someone the silent treatment." — Victoria Osteen

"For me, family means the silent treatment. At any given moment, someone is always not speaking to someone else." — Sarah Dessen

Dane Patrick's quote: "Silent treatment is the worst and most painful way to ignore someone." | Image: AmoDays

Dealing with silent treatment can be difficult and frustrating. Before reacting, take a moment to reflect on the situation and try to find the why. Also, do not imitate the action but try to communicate calmly and gently with the person.

However, you will have to be patient and be able to forgive. If it is a recurring problem, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. If you need help with communication, read these lack of communication quotes.