No news is good news
Meaning: The absence of bad news is itself good news.
Origin: King James I wrote in 1616 that "no newis is bettir then evill newis." The snappier modern form arrived through the letter-writer James Howell, who in 1640 declared himself "of the Italians' mind" that said nulla nuova, buona nuova — no news, good news.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, German, and Italian
- French: Pas de nouvelles, bonnes nouvelles (literally: No news, good news)
- Spanish: La falta de noticias es buena noticia (literally: The lack of news is good news)
- Japanese: 便りのないのは良い便り (Tayori no nai no wa yoi tayori) (literally: No news is good news)
- German: Keine Nachricht ist eine gute Nachricht (literally: No news is good news)
- Italian: Nulla nuova, buona nuova (literally: No news is good news)
More proverbs about Human Nature
- Every man for himself — In crisis, everyone must look after their own interests.
- No man is an island — Humans need connection with others.
- Beggars on horseback — Those given power abuse it worst.
- Familiarity breeds contempt — Being too close to something can reduce appreciation for it.
- Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are — The company you keep reflects and shapes your own character.
- One kind word can warm three winter months — A single act of kindness has an impact far greater and longer-lasting than the moment it…
From our idioms
- 호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다 (Horangido je mal hamyeon onda) — Speaking of someone often enough may cause them to unexpectedly appear; talk of the devil.
- 종로에서 뺨 맞고 한강 가서 눈 흘긴다 (Jongno-eseo ppyam matgo Hangang gaseo nun heulginda) — Venting frustration on innocent people due to humiliation elsewhere; displaced anger towa…
- душа нараспашку (dusha naraspashku) — Extremely open, trusting, or emotionally vulnerable with others.