ProverbHuman NatureEnglish origin1616

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, Japanese, Italian, and Korean

  • French: Pas de nouvelles, bonnes nouvelles (literally: No news, 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)
  • Italian: Nulla nuova, buona nuova (literally: No news is good news)
  • Korean: 무소식이 희소식 (Musosigi huisosik) (literally: No news is good news)

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