The forest would be silent if no bird sang except the one that sang best
Meaning: Everyone has a unique contribution; holding back out of self-doubt robs the world.
Origin: Quotation collections credit the American writer and clergyman Henry van Dyke (1852–1933), usually in the fuller form "Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." No one has identified the book or speech it comes from, so the attribution is unconfirmed.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, and Japanese
- French: La forêt serait silencieuse si aucun oiseau ne chantait sauf le meilleur (literally: The forest would be silent if only the best bird sang)
- Spanish: El bosque estaría en silencio si solo cantara el pájaro que mejor canta (literally: The forest would be silent if only the best-singing bird sang)
- Japanese: 最も上手く歌う鳥だけが歌うなら、森は沈黙するだろう (Mottomo umaku utau tori dake ga utau nara, mori wa chinmoku suru darō) (literally: If only the best singing bird sang, the forest would be silent)
More proverbs about Human Nature
- As the twig is bent, so grows the tree — Early experiences and upbringing shape a person's lifelong character and habits.
- If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together — Short-term speed comes from solitude; long-term achievement comes from collaboration.
- A bad workman always blames his tools — Incompetent people blame external factors for their failures instead of taking responsibi…
- Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow — Happiness multiplies and burdens lighten when shared with others.
- A hungry stomach has no ears — People cannot focus on anything else when their most basic needs are unmet.
- The fish sees the bait but not the hook — People are often tempted by apparent benefits while ignoring the hidden dangers.
From our untranslatable words
- Matpakke — The plain packed lunch of open sandwiches in paper, eaten at your desk — a small national…
- Takk for sist — A greeting that thanks someone for the previous occasion you met, acknowledging shared hi…
- Orka — To have the energy or will for something. Jag orkar inte carries the whole of 'I can't fa…