He kept quiet because anything he said would be twisted and used against him. He had respect while they dissed him behind his back. He told them straight up and they said nothing speechless because they didn't expect him to take a stance.
He wasn't afraid to be alone and eventually his opposers would turn on one another because the truth comes out in the fortress of lies.
Everyone with their own hidden agendas he was genuine and didn't bother with anyone's drama the insanity they caused trying to make everyone miserable like them.