A friend of someone I met during Ambassador's Academy said:
"Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words" is like saying "feed the hungry... if necessary use food."
And, I love it!
As an aside, if you have not read Tony Miano's post on Friendship Evangelism ... do so now. :)
To preach the Gospel does not always mean one needs to speak - one can live out the Gospel in full view of others. While the quote from the friend of your friend is cute, it is also not accurate in its portrayal. People are attracted more often than they can be moved by promotion.
Maybe for some that is their experience, but I know for me it hasn't been. So far no one has come to me and asked me where does my hope come from just by my living as a Christian. It has been the public heralding of the Gospel that has done that more than anything else.
Ah yes, the "your mileage may vary" disclaimer :)
What works for one person may not be the best approach for another - what worked to attract me may not attract you (may not even get your attention) - but just as there are different approaches to solving the same problems, some are more effective than others.
What makes this funny to me (humorous, not odd) is that my experiences have been exactly that - people have walked up to me in the airport and said "I always see you with a smile on your face, in spite of what I see you put up with - what's your secret? How do you do it?"
When I answer "You want the short answer? God" it always paves the way for the in-depth conversation because they've been watching me live it out in front of them - I am not a stranger hitting them over the head with a Bible (as some do), nor am I silent about my faith in Christ and the Gospel message. Paul's approach - public proclamation of the Gospel - is my preference, and thankfully he did not lay down a one size fits all approach to how we are to carry the message, nor did he use one himself.
Francis of Assisi's quote, rightly understood, should not be seen as advocating silence over proclamation, but rather a reflection of an old truth - people are watching us to see how we live out the commands and commission of Jesus. Speak when what you do is not understood, and be ready in season and out with an answer for why you hold this hope and live the way you do.