res, non verba
Latin
Etymology
From rēs (“things, facts”) the plural of rēs (“a thing, a fact”) + nōn (“not”) + verba (“words”) the plural of verbum (“a word”). Literally meaning "deeds, not words" or "facts instead of words" but referring to that "actions be used instead of words".
Pronunciation
- (Classical Latin) IPA(key): /reːs noːn ˈu̯er.ba/, [reːs̠ noːn ˈu̯ɛrbä]
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /res non ˈver.ba/, [rɛs nɔn ˈvɛrbä]
Proverb
- actions speak louder than words
- 59 BC–AD 17, Titus Livius, Ab urbe condita libri 29.22:
- Venientibus iis Syracusas Scipio res, non verba ad purgandum sese paravit.
- Whilst they were on their way to Syracuse Scipio prepared to justify himself, not by words but by acts.
- Venientibus iis Syracusas Scipio res, non verba ad purgandum sese paravit.