
ProverbCommunication
Biblical origin
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent
Meaning: Saying nothing is often wiser than speaking without knowledge.
Where it's from: The Bible, Proverbs 17:28
Origin: From Proverbs 17:28: "Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."
Equivalents in German and Russian
German: Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Gold (literally: Speaking is silver, silence is gold)
Russian: Молчи — за умного сойдёшь (Molchi — za umnogo soydyosh') (literally: Keep quiet and you'll pass for clever)
Explore another collection: Idioms
Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.
- mad as a box of frogs completely crazy; chaotic and unpredictable.
- bark up the wrong tree to pursue a wrong course; to blame the wrong person.
- have the wool pulled over your eyes to be deceived or fooled.
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