Many speak much that cannot speak well.
Meaning: Verbose people often lack the clarity and wisdom that characterizes truly eloquent speech.
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
- Speak fair and think what you will. — Private thoughts remain free even when public words must be diplomatic and measured.
- Speech is the picture of the mind. — Words reveal a person's inner thoughts, beliefs, and character more honestly than any del…
- One story is good until another's told. — The first account you hear seems credible until you consider alternative perspectives and…
- He that strikes with the sword shall be beaten with the scabbard. — Violence begets proportional retaliation; aggressors face consequences matching their own…
- Who draws his sword against his prince must throw away the scabbard. — Rebellion against authority demands absolute commitment—there is no safe retreat or hedge…
- Talk of the devil and his imp appears. — Mentioning someone unexpectedly often causes them to arrive or contact you shortly after.
From our tongue twisters
- 坊主が屏風に上手に坊主の絵を描いた (Bōzu ga byōbu ni jōzu ni bōzu no e o kaita) — A sustained 'b' and long-vowel drill — bōzu/byōbu/jōzu demand precise mouth control.
- 隣の客はよく柿食う客だ (Tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kuu kyaku da) — A tricky spiral on ka/ki/ku that accelerates as you try to keep the syllables distinct.
- Como poco coco como, poco coco compro. — A bouncy 'co' drill — the word order and meaning flip with each repetition.