As part of an experiment into the effects of noise on behaviour researchers arranged for someone to keep dropping an armful of books. In fifty percent of the cases someone else stopped to help pick them up. The same experiment, with a lawn mower roaring close by, resulted in only ten percent of people stopping to help. In Los Angeles, they found that children who lived near the airport couldn’t do many things as well as children who lived in quiet areas. And prisoners complain more about noise than about prison food.
The Quaker George Fox used to say, ‘Carry some quiet around inside thee.’ He was right. It’s not only the noise of the world outside that stresses us, but also the unceasing clamour in our own minds. That’s why the Bible says: ‘In quietness and confidence shall be your strength,’ and Jesus said: ‘Come unto me and I will give you peace.’