Word speak more than action

“Actions speak louder than words” is a popular English-language idiom that’s used to refer to the importance of words over actions. If someone does not act on their promise or statement, one might use this phrase to remind them of what they’re supposed to be doing. A promise is worth nothing if it’s not followed up on, the phrase implies. 

Meaning of “Actions speak louder than words” 

“Actions speak louder than words” is a clever phrase that uses personification to allude to the importance of actions over words. No matter what someone claims they will do, what they believe, or did in the past, the action itself is far more critical. By comparing actions speaking to words speaking, the phrase emphasizes how meaningless words are in comparison. Everyone is going to feel far more confident after an action is taken than when someone says they are going to take that action. 

It should be noted that while this phrase is usually used in a positive sense, with the action taken being a good thing, it’s also quite easy to use it negatively as well. In this form, the “action” is in contrast to the words. Someone says they are going to do something positive or for the common good and then do something totally different. 

When To Use “Actions speak louder than words” 

“Actions speak louder than words” is easy to use in a variety of different situations. Unlike some idioms and proverbs, this one can be used in pretty much every situation imaginable. Before using it in a business meeting or academic setting, it should be noted that this phrase can be interpreted passive-aggressively, with the listener feeling as though they’re being attacked for what they’re saying and not doing. 

One person might use “actions speak louder than words” while in a discussion with their romantic partner or friend while trying to get more than a promise of action out of them. By emphasizing the “action” part of the phrase, the person one is directing their words to will have no doubt that the speaker expects them to act. 

Example Sentences With “Actions speak louder than words” 

• That’s all well enough but actions speak louder than words. 
• When are you going to get to work on this? Actions speak louder than words. 
• How much longer will I have to wait to hear from you? Actions speak louder than words, you know. 
• I told her that actions speak louder than words and she got upset at me. I think I hit a nerve. 
• You should always pay attention to someone’s actions over their words, they speak far louder. 

Why Do Writers Use “Actions speak louder than words?” 

Writers use “actions speak louder than words” for the same reasons and in the same way that everyday people use it in conversation. Idioms and proverbs are part of individual cultures, the person using one of these phrases is alluding to and depending on a shared knowledge of what it means. By using a very specific and little-known idiom in a piece of dialogue, a writer is aware of the fact that some are going to understand it, and those who don’t will have to figure out what it means. 

Origins of “Actions speak louder than words” 

“Actions speak louder than words” is a popular phrase which like many other proverbs and idioms dates back many years and has gone through various iterations. One of the best-known historical uses of the phrase can be found in a well-known Abraham Lincoln speech from 1856. The quote reads: 

‘Actions speak louder than words’ is the maxim; and, if true, the South now distinctly says to the North, ‘Give us the measures, you take the men.

Here, the phrase is being used as it is today, to suggest that actions are far more important than what someone says. There might be a positive or negative association with it, as in someone said they were going to do something and then didn’t, or someone said they weren’t going to do something and then did. 

It has been suggested that an older example comes from 1736, in a document titled “The Melancholy State of this Province Considered, in a Letter, from a Gentleman in Boston to His Friend in the Country.” Then, an even older one, from a sermon written by Thomas Manton in 1693. The section reads: 

So they would give him Glory, praise him with their Lips, and honor him with their lives. They would make that their work and scope, that this may be the real language of their hearts and actions, which speak much louder than words.

Many years earlier, there is an example in the sermons of St Anthony of Padua, who lived from around 1195 to 1231. The passage reads: 

Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. We are full of words but empty of actions, and therefore are cursed by the Lord, since he himself cursed the fig tree when he found no fruit but only leaves.

These are certainly not the only significant iterations of the phrase, but they are some of the better-known. As is the case with many idioms and proverbs, it does not appear that a single point of origin for the phrase is known. 

Actions Speak Louder than Words Quotes

Here are a few of the best-related quotes to the idiom “actions speak louder than words.” The first of these, by Israel Ayivor, takes the reader through the three levels of thought, words, and actions. It’s good to think about doing something, he says, better to say one is going to do it, but it’s the best course to actually do the thing.

Thoughts do more. Words do much. Actions do much more.

The next interesting quote comes from Christine Szymanski and is a great example of how an idiom can evolve to become something different, but related.

Words will hold some water, but actions carry buckets full.

Here is another interesting quote, one created by DaShanne Stokes. While it doesn’t use “actions speak louder than words” exactly, it suggests the same meaning:

If your actions don’t live up to your words, you have nothing to say.

In Soul Food: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life, Frank Sonneberg uses the following quote:

Being all talk speaks volumes about you.

Here, he uses a play on words to suggest that speaking without acting reveals a lot about one’s character. This final quote comes from Germany Kent. Her words are clear and very obviously connected to the idiom “actions speak louder than words.” The quote reads:

No plan and no action will lead to no results.

• “A perfect storm.” 
• “Add insult to injury.” 
• “Barking up the wrong tree.” 
• “To get bent out of shape.” 
• “That’s the last straw.” 

Definition: What you do has a stronger impact on people than what you say.

Oftentimes, people will say one thing and do another; the phrase actions speak louder than words means that people are more likely to believe what you do rather than what you say, be there is a difference between the two.

It is much easier to lie with your words than with your actions because what you do more strongly correlates with what you want and what you believe. You can say anything without believing strongly in it.

It is an important axiom for parents, who must remember that they lead by example. Children are more prone to feel allowed to do what the parent does, even if the parent tells them not to do it.

Origin of Actions Speak Louder than Words

The proverb is more than several hundred years old. Some of the first expressions of it are found in the Bible, including this verse in the book of John, which stresses that saying you love someone is not the same as doing things for them,

My little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. -1 John 3:18

In the 1500s, the French writer Michel de Montaigne said,

Saying is one thing and doing is another.

And later, in 1628, the Englishman J. Pym made a speech where he reworded the phrase as

A word spoken in season is like an Apple of Gold set in Pictures of Silver, and actions are more precious than words.

Finally, in 1736, we see the current incarnation of the phrase in a letter titled “Melancholy State of Province” in Colonial Currency by A.M. Davis,

Actions speak louder than words, and are more to be regarded.

President Abraham Lincoln confirms the phrase is in the vernacular by 1856 writing,

“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.”

Example of Actions Speak Louder than Words

In the modern day, this phrase is used to get people’s actions to line up with their words.

For example, consider this dialogue between a father and his child,

Child: Dad, I promise I’ll be on time for dinner, and I’ll do my homework as soon as I get it.

Father: Well, that sounds great, but actions speak louder than words. I’ll believe it when I see it.

It is also a common piece of warning in modern relationships when someone’s partner consistently says that he loves her but doesn’t back it up with his actions. The recipient of these words is often warned to pay attention to the actions of his or her partner to find the truth of how he or she feel.

Consider the following dialogue,

Samantha: He tells me he loves me every day. But he didn’t do anything for my birthday, and he still doesn’t want to meet my parents.

Claire: Careful, actions speak louder than words.

More Examples

• “Going into games it is about action rather than words,” he said. “When you speak you can sometimes say things that can add fuel to the fire or underestimate a game- we’re not going to underestimate it.” –London News Online

• Hanabusa, who says she is probably the only member of Congress who has had a relative killed in the atomic bombing, believes an apology in words is not necessary between the United States and Japan since actions speak louder. –The Asahi Shimbun

Summary

The proverb actions speak louder than words reminds us that what we do has more significance than what we say.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

“Actions speak louder than words.” Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

You should write at least 250 words.

***Note: This PTE Essay was recently asked in the PTE Academic Exam.

Model Answer 1:

People either communicate with their words or through their actions. Words are merely sounds uttered by the tongue. The action is what puts the meaning into the words said. I completely agree with the statement “Actions speak louder than words.”

To say something and to do something are two different things. It is a well-known fact that people often do not do what they say. It is why people value hard work more than mere promises. For example, politicians make many heart touching promises before elections. But after the election is over, and they get elected we all know how their action goes.

Secondly, actions depict a person’s character and personality. What someone does and how he behaves in that particular situation reveals his real side. For example, if a town next to you experienced a flood, a real hero would do what he can do within his means to help the people instead of only feeling bad for them.

In conclusion, actions carry more meaning and importance than what a person says. A person must hence, think twice before saying anything because words can be easily expressed but doing it, in reality, takes real effort and dedication.

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Model Answer 2:

[Submitted by - Nirav]

Words convey an offer or invitation for some action whereas performing the action is what completes a task. The only reason behind the famous phrase that “action speaks louder than words” is the fact that taking action brings the destination closer. Hence, I also firmly believe that actions speak louder than words.

In any environment, be it work, household chores or national politics, there are always people who only talk about taking actions and the ones who get the work done. Though it is essential to convey the message of the action to be performed to all the stakeholders, it is imperative that the task is worked upon since the spoken word is a double-edged sword where the authenticity of the spoken word can be questioned later by work performed.

If you have ever worked at a job where there is a lazy boss, then you can relate to this. The employees always look up to the upper management / the boss for motivation. When they find their boss doing nothing & unmotivated then employees replicate the same traits. But when the boss gets their hands dirty and shows the passion they have for making things better, employees are more motivated to work and feel more passionate about what they are doing.z

Accordingly, even though the spoken word is a vital step towards proper communication of the actions that need to be performed, it is much more important that timely performance of the required action is taken.

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