still waters run deep

still waters run deep
Now commonly used to assert that a placid exterior hides a passionate or subtle nature. Cf. Q. CURTIUS De Rebus Gestis Alexandri Magni VII. iv. 13 altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi, the deepest rivers flow with least sound [said there to be a Bactrian saying].

c 1400 Cato’s Morals in Cursor Mundi (EETS) 1672 There the flode is deppist the water standis stillist.

c 1410 J. LYDGATE Minor Poems (EETS) 476 Smothe waters ben ofte sithes [oftentimes] depe.

1616 T. DRAXE Adages 178 Where riuers runne most stilly, they are the deepest.

1721 J. KELLY Scottish Proverbs 287 Smooth Waters run deep.

1858 D. M. MULOCK Woman’s Thoughts about Women xii. In maturer age..the fullest, tenderest tide of which the loving heart is capable may be described by those ‘still waters’ which ‘run deep’.

1979 M. UNDERWOOD Victim of Circumstances II. 86 As for her, still waters run deep, it seems. She always looked so solemn... Fancy her shooting him!

2001 National Review 30 Apr. 60 Still waters run deep, so they say. The stillest and deepest belonged to Greta Garbo, who abruptly ended a dispute with Hollywood’s moguls by saying, ‘I tink I go home now.’ She meant Sweden.


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  • still waters run deep — A quiet exterior often conceals strong emotions, resolution, cunning, etc • • • Main Entry: ↑water * * * still waters run deep phrase used for saying that people who are shy or who do not say much often have very strong feelings or interesting… …   Useful english dictionary

  • still waters run deep — People use this idiom to imply that people who are quiet and don t try to attract attention are often more interesting than people who do try to get attention …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • Still Waters (Run Deep) — Single infobox| Name = Still Waters (Run Deep) Released = October 27 1997 Format = 7 single, CD Recorded = 1996 1997 Genre = Pop Length = 4:08 Label = Polydor Records Producer = Hugh Padgham Chart position =#18 (UK Singles Chart)#57 (U.S.)#79… …   Wikipedia

  • still waters run deep — Quiet people probably are profound thinkers. A proverb. * /He doesn t say much, but he sure looks smart. Well, still waters run deep, isn t that true?/ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • still waters run deep — Quiet people probably are profound thinkers. A proverb. * /He doesn t say much, but he sure looks smart. Well, still waters run deep, isn t that true?/ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • still\ waters\ run\ deep — proverb Quiet people probably are profound thinkers. He doesn t say much, but he sure looks smart. Well, still waters run deep, isn t that true? …   Словарь американских идиом

  • still waters run deep — something that you say which means people who say very little often have very interesting and complicated personalities. He s quiet and shy, it s true, but still waters run deep …   New idioms dictionary

  • Still Waters Run Deep (Four Tops album) — Album infobox Name = Still Waters Run Deep Type = Studio album Artist = The Four Tops Released = March, 1970 Recorded = 1969 1970; Hitsville USA (Studio A), Detroit, Michigan Genre = Soul/pop Length = 29:43 Label = Motown Producer = Frank Wilson… …   Wikipedia

  • still waters run deep — achieve a task with tranquility and satisfaction; he who seems quiet and harmless but has the ability to harm deeply …   English contemporary dictionary

  • still waters run deep —    People use this idiom to imply that people who are quiet and don t try to attract attention are often more interesting than people who do try to get attention.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

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