
ProverbWisdom
English origin
An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit.
Meaning: Knowing when to stay silent protects you better than any clever remark ever could.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
Explore another collection: Idioms
Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.
- Aiguiser ses couteaux To prepare oneself for conflict or confrontation.
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