man of few words, a
Meaning: A person who speaks little but to the point; also, by implication, a person of action rather than words.
📜 Historical Roots and References:
- Old Testament: “Let thy words be few,” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
- Homer’s Iliad: “Few were his words, but wonderfully clear.”
- John Ray’s Collection (1678): Various versions appear, including “Few words are best.”
🔍 Related Terms:
- strong silent type: A person who is both quiet and powerful.
- tight-lipped: Not revealing secrets or much information.
- man of action: Someone who prefers to act rather than speak.
📙 Synonyms:
- Placeless
- Untalkative
- Taciturn
- Reserved
🚫 Antonyms:
- Chatterbox
- Loquacious
- Gabby
- Outspoken
💬 Humor-filled Quotes:
- “A man of few words is wise in his selection, unless his silence says it all.”
- “Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact.”
🌍 Proverbs and Sayings:
- Spanish: “En boca cerrada no entran moscas.” (Translation: Flies don’t enter a closed mouth.)
- Italian: “Parla poco e bene.” (Translation: Speak little and well.)
🎥 Pop Culture Examples:
- Film: Clint Eastwood in “A Fistful of Dollars” (1964) – The Man with No Name
- Book: Jay Gatsby in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald – A modern man of few words.
- Song: “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel – An ode to quiet yet impactful emotion.
📚 Suggested Literature:
- “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway – An exploration of direct, profound simplicity.
- “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck – Characters who communicate volumes without saying much.
Farewell Thought: “In the chaos and clamor of the world, often it is those who speak little yet act greatly who leave the most lasting impressions. May your words, like theirs, be few but monumental.”
### Which phrase fits the description of a "man of few words"?
- [x] Strong silent type
- [ ] Chatterbox extraordinare
- [ ] Narrator of secrets
- [ ] Master of soliloquies
> **Explanation:** "Strong silent type" is synonymous with "man of few words," describing someone who is impactful without needing to speak much.
### True or False: The expression "man of few words" implies lack of intelligence.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** On the contrary, being a "man of few words" often implies wisdom, succinctness, and the ability to communicate effectively with brevity.
### Which is a related idiom to "man of few words"?
- [ ] Loud and proud
- [x] Tight-lipped
- [ ] Blabbermouth
- [ ] Talk of the town
> **Explanation:** "Tight-lipped" refers to someone who does not say much or reveal much information, making it related to "man of few words."
