a closed mouth catches no flies

English

Etymology

Unknown. Equivalent expressions are found in several languages, so it is difficult to tell if it originated in English or a different language.

Proverb

a closed mouth catches no flies

1. It's best not to talk too much.
2. It's better to not say anything than to say something suspicious or troublesome.

Translations

It's best not to talk too much

• Finnish: vaikeneminen on kultaa
• Galician: en boca pechada non entran moscas
• Italian: un bel tacer non fu mai scritto m
• Polish: mowa jest srebrem, a milczenie złotem (pl)
• Spanish: en boca cerrada no entran moscas

See also

• a closed mouth gathers no feet