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
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- Hardly ever" saves many a lie. — Silence prevents false claims by avoiding the need to explain or justify hasty words.
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- 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…
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