Quiet is safe. Safe... and overrated. Few great accomplishments were ever achieved from choosing inaction over action. There is a time for it, but it is rare.
Some might say "it is better to be quiet and thought an idiot than to open one's mouth and be proven one."
But generally, given the choice, I think I'd rather go out on a limb and deal with the consequences of responsible action than pay homage to the fear of looking stupid.
Fear can bite my lilly-white ass.