Actions speak louder than words

Emily:	You know, Chris, there were times when politicians’ actions spoke louder than words!
Chris:	Nooo! Really?
Emily:	I’m talking about George Washington, the man who served as Commander-in-Chief of the American Army during the American Revolutionary War, the man who fought for independence from Great Britain and later served as the first President of the United States.
Chris:	Oh, definitely. I was inspired to study people such as George Washington because friends like you recommended it! You know how much I talk about current events and politics. And as I thought about how much I talk to you, I found I needed to take more time to listen rather than speaking just to hear myself talk.
Emily:	Well Chris, that’s very kind of you to say. There is much to learn from George Washington’s example. You can tell a lot about a person through both their words and their actions. For instance, when Washington led soldiers into battle he never gave orders to his troops that he wouldn’t follow himself. He was also humble enough to admit when he did not know the best solution to a strategic problem and would work to improve his strategy and himself because of it.
Chris:	Exactly! In studying George Washington, I found plenty more of his actions that spoke louder than words. As the newly-formed American Army fought against the British from 1775–1783, he earned the trust of the men he commanded and led into battle. He was a man of few words and many actions.
Emily:	He certainly was a man of few words.
Chris:	What can I say? History has always been a passion for me.
Emily:	It’s extraordinary to think back on Washington as a person. He did not speak just to hear the sound of his own voice. He made a point to visit his troops regularly and get to know them. Washington learned from his men and his officers alike to prepare and successfully engage the British, and eventually win the war.
Chris:	Emily, would you say I am a man of few words?
Emily:	Hmm…
Chris:	Well, I am certainly a man of action!
Emily:	Really? How have you applied the philosophy that actions speak louder than words into your daily routine?
Chris:	Think of it this way: People will always make promises or say things that they have no intention of keeping every single day. For example, you can tell a person you love him or her one hundred times a day. But, if you don't back up those words with clear action, then that person won’t believe you.
Emily:	OK, give me an example of an action that proves one’s love.
Chris:	Oh, well… I mean… Some emotions cannot be expressed in mere words; they require actions to show the person that you really do care for them. So… if you love someone, let them know!
Emily:	With words?
Chris:	OK, you got me there.
Emily:	Don’t get discouraged, Chris. I know that deep down, you understand the concept of actions speaking louder than words. It applies to practically every situation in a person's life. Just look at George Washington. Whatever your words may be, the actions you take will surely show what you are trying to say.

Actions speak louder than words

Actions speak louder than words is an English Idiomatic expression used to demonstrate that what you do carries more significance than what you say. Simply put: what a person does is far more important that what someone says they will do. The literal meaning of this phrase shows that actions are more revealing of one’s character than mere words.

Human speech and communication allow most people to say hundreds, if not thousands of words every day. As such, human beings talk objectively, creating plans that are sometimes not completed and making promises that are not kept. Anyone can use words to project an illusion of progress towards a goal or objective. But one needs proof to show progress is being made towards goal, rather than simply state that progress has occurred.

The exact origin of the phrase is not well documented. Sources say that the expression can be found in use as far back as the early 1600s. The phrase was first used in the form we use today in the United States written by Abraham Lincoln in 1856. He stated: “‘Actions speak louder than words’ is the maxim; and, if true, the South now distinctly says to the North, ‘Give us the measures, you take the men.”

Example 1:

Jack told Tom that he would train three hours a day to compete in a local basketball tournament, and he just lost! He got tired after 10 minutes. His roommate told me he was playing video games every day after class for weeks. I guess actions speak louder than words...

Example 2:

Don’t tell me how to program the computer; show me how to do it! Actions speak louder than words.

Example 3:

Jill made all sorts of promises when she was running for class president. However, actions speak louder than words, so we shall see how many of those promises she actually keeps.