proverb · Legacy record
It is better to have less thunder in the mouth, and more lightning in the hand.
It is better to have less thunder in the mouth, and more lightning in the hand.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand contrast loud words with effective action. The saying values doing over boasting.
What the words are saying
The paired weather images give speech noise and action force. A responsible interpretation treats the hand metaphor as purposeful work rather than permission for violence. Clear communication can also be necessary; the contrast does not make all words worthless or establish a literal weather rule.
Everyday example
Someone follows a realistic statement with useful work instead of making increasingly grand claims.
When to use it
Use it to discuss the gap between boasting and action.
Put a useful idea into practice: try the free seven-day guide ↗
What it does not mean
No violence, weather prediction or universal superiority of silence is established.
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 wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 13; PDF page 9; collection label: Apache
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Apache