There's no such thing as bad publicity
Meaning: Any attention, even negative, can be beneficial.
Origin: Often attributed to the showman P. T. Barnum, but no source from his time supports that. The idea was circulating in American newspapers by 1915, and the Irish writer Brendan Behan is credited with the sharpest version: there is no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, and Japanese
- French: Il n'y a pas de mauvaise publicité (literally: There is no bad publicity)
- Spanish: No hay publicidad mala (literally: There is no bad publicity)
- Japanese: 悪名も無名にまさる (Akumei mo mumei ni masaru) (literally: Bad fame surpasses no fame)
More proverbs about Communication
- 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.
- The tongue has no bones, but it is strong enough to break a heart — Words, though intangible, can inflict deep and lasting wounds.
From our untranslatable words
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