actions speak louder than words

A word spoken in season is like an Apple of Gold set in Pictures of Silver,’ and actions are more precious than words. [1628 J. Pym Speech 4 Apr. in Hansard Parliamentary Hist. England (1807) II. 274] Actions speak louder than Words, and are more to be regarded. [1736 Melancholy State of Province in A. M. Davis Colonial Currency (1911) III. 137] ‘Actions speak louder than words’ is the maxim; and, if true, the South now distinctly says to the North, ‘Give us the measures, and you take the men.’ [1856 A. Lincoln Works (1953) II. 352] Deeds speak louder than words. First she tells you the most damning things she can‥, and then she begs you to believe he's innocent in spite of them? [1939 M. Stuart Dead Men sing no Songs xii.] Democrats market themselves as the party of the common man, but actions (and inactions) speak louder than words. [2001 Washington Times 1 Aug. A13] Related to: words and deeds