proverb · Words worth keeping
Speak fair and think what you will.
Speak fair and think what you will.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Courteous speech can coexist with private disagreement. The saying separates how a thought is expressed from the thought itself.
Example
Someone disagrees with a proposal and explains their reasons calmly instead of using a personal insult.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Speaking fair suggests a considerate manner, while thinking what one will leaves room for independent judgment. It can encourage civility without requiring everyone to agree. It should not make deception or empty reassurance a virtue. A useful application combines honest disagreement with a form that does not needlessly insult or expose someone. The question is how to communicate truthfully and appropriately, not how to hide every concern.
When to use it
Use it to distinguish courteous expression from compulsory agreement.
Keep in mind
Courtesy should not become deception or conceal a concern that needs to be addressed.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their 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
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English