He lies like an epitaph.
Meaning: Flattery inscribed on tombstones distorts truth, so excessive praise proves fundamentally dishonest.
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.
More proverbs about Communication
- One ill word asketh another. — Harsh speech begets harsh response, creating cycles of escalating conflict rather than re…
- Jesting lies bring serious sorrows. — Careless humor that distorts truth erodes trust and eventually causes genuine pain to rel…
- Misunderstanding brings lies to town. — Unclear communication creates fertile ground where falsehoods spread and distort truth.
- Old saws speak the truth. — Time-tested sayings endure because experience has repeatedly proven their wisdom.
- Painted pictures are dead speakers. — Visual representations lack the power of living voice and direct human communication.
- Soft words butter no parsnips. — Gentle flattery alone cannot feed you; action and effort produce real, tangible results.
From our false friends
- Simpatichny (Симпатичный) (Simpatichnyy) — Actually means 'good-looking' or 'likeable'. For sympathetic, say сочувствующий (sochuvst…
- Aktualny (Актуальный) (Aktualnyy) — Actually means 'topical' or 'currently relevant'. For actual (real), say настоящий (nasto…
- Artist (Артист) (Artist) — Actually means 'performer' — an actor, singer or circus artiste. A painter is художник (k…