Mowa jest srebrem, a milczenie złotem
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What it means
“Speech is silver, but silence is golden.” Knowing when to stay quiet is more valuable than speaking. Discretion and restraint in words are virtues.
English equivalent
Speech is silver, silence is golden.
Vocabulary
- mowa — speech, talk
- srebro — silver
- milczenie — silence
- złoto — gold
Grammar note
'Srebrem' and 'złotem' are instrumental singular forms used as predicate complements after 'jest' (is).
Cultural context
This proverb is shared across many European languages and cultures. The Polish version is a direct equivalent of the widely known English saying.
Beginner
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