expression, godan verb (-ru)
speech is silver, silence is golden
Proverb meaning that sometimes not speaking conveys more or is more valuable than speaking.
あの場では何も言わなかったが、言わぬは言うにまさるということもある。
I didn't say anything in that situation, but sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
Standard kanji spelling for this proverb.
Alternate kanji spelling using 優る for まさる.
A Japanese proverb equivalent to the English 'speech is silver, silence is golden.' The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a common cultural value placed on restraint and indirect communication.