One story is good until another's told.
Meaning: The first account you hear seems credible until you consider alternative perspectives and fuller facts.
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
- 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.
- The greatest talkers are always the least doers. — Excessive speech consumes energy better spent on action, making verbose people perpetuall…
- He loseth his thanks who promiseth and delayeth. — Postponing promised help damages gratitude, as delayed assistance feels less generous tha…
- One may think that dares not speak. — Silent thoughts remain powerless; voicing ideas, however risky, gives them potential forc…
From our tongue twisters
- Mit sütsz, kis szűcs? Tán sós húst sütsz, kis szűcs? — An 'sz / s / ts' sibilant duel — Hungarian's two close s-sounds collide in every word.
- Ibsens ripsbusker og andre buskvekster. — An 'sb / sk / busk' cluster trap that jams the tongue between the bushes.
- Rødgrød med fløde. — The legendary soft-d and rounded 'ø' test — the phrase Danes use to spot a non-native ins…