Home › Proverbs

He's a good friend that speaks well of us behind our backs.

Meaning: True friendship reveals itself in loyalty when no personal gain or flattery is possible.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

More proverbs about Communication

  • We shall lie all alike in our graves. — Death's finality erases all earthly distinctions of wealth, status, and achievement betwe…
  • Hardly ever" saves many a lie. — Silence prevents false claims by avoiding the need to explain or justify hasty words.
  • What the heart thinketh, the tongue speaketh. — Unguarded speech reveals our true thoughts and character; we cannot conceal our inner nat…
  • Many a true word is spoken in jest. — Humor provides cover for uncomfortable truths that people avoid stating seriously.
  • Judge not a ship as she lies on the stocks. — Don't evaluate a vessel's true worth until it's launched and tested at sea.
  • He tied a knot with his tongue he couldn't undo with his teeth. — Careless words spoken in haste create consequences far harder to retract than they were t…

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…