Originally Posted By: pallasathene
If you condone something, you act or speak out in support of it. Passively condoning something would be to not voice disagreement.

I think the core sense of the word is approval. It doesn't necessarily involve particular actions. To condone something means to approve of it. That approval starts with a theoretical assent and could come out in various ways, by words and/or actions. But the act of condoning itself is the act of approving. Not voicing agreement could be a passive action (if that's not an oxymoron) that SHOWS you condone something. Speaking for something would be an active sign of condoning it.