Silence is Golden

  If the saying "Silence is golden" is true, how quickly can we cash in on that gold? It seems as though no matter how much we try to slow down or take a breather from life we, as a people, seem to love giving up that silence for whatever the trade-in value is for it the "gold" we trade for the silence.
  So what then, is the absolute value of silence? Is it worth the things we trade for it? The thrill of adventure grander then the sound of ones own thoughts? Can we let go of who we are in the silence to find a life that is worth more? Is a life without silence really worth more?
  Maybe the reason we have the quote to begin with is so we remember the value of the silence we don't always have the gift of having. I understand diving into life's many tasks and oppourtunties can be more than exciting, however, the peace one can experience from letting life go on without them from time to time can be just as wonderous.