The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (523 page)
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A STILL tongue makes a wise head
1562Works
Dd3
V
Hauyng a styll toung he had a besy head.
1776
John Buncle, Junior
I. 238
Mum's the word … A quiet tongue makes a wise head, says I.
1869
English Proverbs
35
A still tongue makes a wise head.
1892
I saw Three Ships
vii.
A still tongue makes a wise head.
1937
Other Half
iv.
‘I believe in the old saying “A still tongue keeps a wise head”.’ ‘I guess you're right … It's no business of mine.’
speech and silence;
wisdom
STILL waters run deep
Now commonly used to assert that a placid exterior hides a passionate or subtle nature. Cf. Q. CURTIUS
De Rebus Gestis Alexandri Magni
VII. iv. 13
altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi
, the deepest rivers flow with least sound [said there to be a Bactrian saying].
c
1400
Cato's Morals in Cursor Mundi
(EETS) 1672
There the flode is deppist the water standis stillist.
c
1410
Minor Poems
(EETS) 476
Smothe waters ben ofte sithes [oftentimes] depe.
1616
Adages
178
Where riuers runne most stilly, they are the deepest.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
287
Smooth Waters run deep.
1858
Woman's Thoughts about Women
xii.
In maturer age .. the fullest, tenderest tide of which the loving heart is capable may be described by those ‘still waters’ which ‘run deep.’
1979
Victim of Circumstances
II
. 86
As for her, still waters run deep, it seems. She always looked so solemn … Fancy her shooting him!
appearance, deceptive
;
speech and silence
De Rebus Gestis Alexandri Magni
VII. iv. 13
altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi
, the deepest rivers flow with least sound [said there to be a Bactrian saying].
c1400
Cato's Morals in Cursor Mundi
(EETS) 1672
There the flode is deppist the water standis stillist.
c
1410
Minor Poems
(EETS) 476
Smothe waters ben ofte sithes [oftentimes] depe.
1616
Adages
178
Where riuers runne most stilly, they are the deepest.
1721
Scottish Proverbs
287
Smooth Waters run deep.
1858
Woman's Thoughts about Women
xii.
In maturer age .. the fullest, tenderest tide of which the loving heart is capable may be described by those ‘still waters’ which ‘run deep.’
1979
Victim of Circumstances
II
. 86
As for her, still waters run deep, it seems. She always looked so solemn … Fancy her shooting him!
appearance, deceptive;
speech and silence
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