Actions Speak Louder Than Words

The underlying idea has been credited to the ancient Greeks, the Romans, Confucius, the Bible, Saint Francis of Assisi, and Benjamin Franklin at various points, which is a good sign that no single source can honestly claim it. In English, MP John Pym used a close version in Parliament in 1628 ("actions are more precious than words"), and clergyman Thomas Manton's 1693 sermon collection uses "speak louder." The exact modern wording is documented from 1736, and Abraham Lincoln used it verbatim in an 1856 speech.