res, non verba

Latin

FWOTD – 11 January 2017

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".

Proverb

rēs, nōn verba

1. 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.

See also

• nullius in verba