Whoever is silent, agrees

Question

él que calla, otorga.

Can you explain to me how that means whoever is silent, agrees?

Actually, having answered it, I see that I don't understand your question. It's just what it says. - annierats, Jan 7, 2013

Answer 1

He who falls silent/ shuts/ up, concedes/ agrees.

O sea, el que no dice nada está de acuerdo..

If you don't defend your opinion, you're agreeing with somebody else's.

For once, it took a lot of words to say it in English!

Answer 2

It means if you don't speak up you could be guilty of whatever bad thing goes down, it's what's known as community responsibility. You might not actually do the bad act but if you knew and did nothing then you also are responsible.

Answer 3

I agree with what everyone here has said. It's a comment on being a bystander. We've all heard in school how if we witness bullying, we're just as bad as the bully if we still let it happen. It can also be applied to something like voting. A lot of people maintain the belief that if you don't go out and cast your ballot--if you don't say what you want--you have no right to complain if the outcome isn't what you wanted. él que calla, ortaga.