ProverbCommunicationBiblical 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)

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