Actions speak louder than words.行动比语言更响亮。
这谚语是用了拟人法,将actions与words,都当作人来描写。其意思是夸夸其谈是没用的,最重要的还是实事求是,言行一致,也就是相当于中国成语“事实胜于雄辩”。
十九世纪美国诗人Longfellow的“The Song of Hiawathe”中几句诗更生动具体地说明这句谚语的意思:
Big words do not smite like war clubs,
Boastful breath is not a bow string,
Taunts are not as sharp as arrows,
Deeds are better things than words are,
Actions mightier than boastings!
诗中Big words、Boastful breath、Taunts、boastings等都是一些近义词,相当于中文的夸夸其谈、哗众取宠、花言巧语等。而war clubs、bow string、arrows等都是实在的武器,喻指实际的行为。
英文中类似意思的谚语还有:
Easier said than done.
说易行难。
The greatest talkers are the least doers.
说话最多的人往往是行动最少的人。
还有一些意思相近的谚语可参阅另一组:Deeds,not words.