proverb · Legacy record
A friend’s frown is better than a foe’s smile.
A friend’s frown is better than a foe’s smile.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying prefers a friend’s frown to an opponent’s smile. It values candid concern over an attractive appearance of goodwill.
What the words are saying
The contrast asks a reader to look beyond expression. A qualified application checks the actual message and relationship rather than treating every frown as helpful or every smile as deceit. The labels friend and foe are not proof of a person’s motives.
Everyday example
Someone considers the reasons behind a difficult comment instead of judging it solely by the speaker’s expression.
When to use it
Use it to examine candour and presentation with motives unassumed.
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What it does not mean
An expression or relationship label does not establish honesty or deception.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 684; PDF page 99
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.