Speak fair and think what you will.
Meaning: Private thoughts remain free even when public words must be diplomatic and measured.
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
- 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.
- The greatest talkers are always the least doers. — Excessive speech consumes energy better spent on action, making verbose people perpetuall…
From our idioms
- hang-up — An obsession, problem, or concern about something.
- hanky panky — Sexual misconduct (sentence 1); mischievous behavior or activity (sentence 2); or suspici…
- have the last laugh — To outsmart or get revenge on someone who thinks he or she has been clever.