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Still waters run deep

Meaning: Quiet people often have great depth of character.

Origin: Latin proverb, used in English since the 15th century.

Translations

  • French: Il n'est pire eau que l'eau qui dort (literally: There is no worse water than sleeping water)
  • Spanish: Del agua mansa líbreme Dios (literally: God save me from still water)
  • Japanese: 能ある鷹は爪を隠す (Nō aru taka wa tsume wo kakusu) (literally: A talented hawk hides its talons)

More proverbs about Communication

  • Barking dogs seldom bite — People who make threats rarely carry them out.
  • A picture is worth a thousand words — Visual information communicates more effectively than text.
  • The squeaky wheel gets the grease — Those who complain the most get attention.
  • It takes two to tango — Both parties are responsible in a conflict.
  • United we stand, divided we fall — Strength comes from unity.
  • A rising tide lifts all boats — General improvements benefit everyone.

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