Can silence resolve serious issues?

Silence can resolve only our own personal issues. Are words the only thing we possess in order to advice and help others? Is silence considered apathy in western cultures?  Seems that this is the case. How do words help? Is the understanding of them the same for different people? how much harm can silence make? How much harm can words make?

Greek saying:

"A tongue has no bones, yet it breaks bones"

have a good weekend