Silence speaks volumes
Meaning: What is not said can be more meaningful than what is.
Origin: Built on the idiom "speaks volumes," in which a small sign says as much as whole books. Saying that silence speaks volumes is a natural extension of it, and no first use of this wording has been traced.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, and Japanese
- French: Le silence en dit long (literally: Silence says a lot)
- Spanish: El silencio habla más que las palabras (literally: Silence speaks more than words)
- Japanese: 沈黙は雄弁より雄弁 (Chinmoku wa yūben yori yūben) (literally: Silence is more eloquent than eloquence)
More proverbs about Communication
- There's no such thing as bad publicity — Any attention, even negative, can be beneficial.
- Many hands make light work — Tasks are easier when shared among many people.
- What you see is what you get — There's nothing hidden or disguised.
- The customer is always right — In business, the customer's satisfaction takes priority.
- A gentle word opens an iron gate — Kindness and diplomacy can overcome even the most resistant obstacles.
- Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent — Saying nothing is often wiser than speaking without knowledge.
From our compliments & insults
- Hai le mani d'oro — You're extraordinarily skilled with your hands — a craftsperson, cook, or fixer of legend…
- Sei una persona d'oro — You're genuinely wonderful — kind, trustworthy, and precious to have in one's life.
- Che spettacolo! — You look absolutely stunning — a spontaneous burst of admiration for someone's appearance.