Provençal expression

de tis amis digo tout bien, de tis enemis digues ren

Wisdom

Literal translation

of your friends speak all the good, of your enemies say nothing

Meaning

speak only well of your friends, and nothing of your enemies

Explanation

This saying offers advice on discretion and restraint in speech, drawing a clear distinction between how one should speak of one's friends and how one should speak of one's enemies. The words your, to say, all, and nothing, this last also meaning kidney depending on context, are all well attested, while the words friends and enemies, along with the word good taken as a moral noun, could not be found directly under this exact form in our sources, though their meaning leaves no doubt given the saying's overall context. The lesson recommends praising without reserve those dear to us, highlighting their qualities, while keeping complete silence about those hostile to us, thereby avoiding the temptation of gossip or verbal revenge. This advised silence amounts to a form of defensive wisdom, one that avoids sinking to an adversary's level or giving him ammunition through words one might later regret. The register is sententious, close to moral advice passed down within a family.

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Other expressions on the same theme

au mai anavo la vieio, au mai appreniéthe older the woman grew, the more she learned vau mai un fais ben lia que dous mal astacaone well-tied bundle beats two poorly fastened ones lou monde es uno escalo que mounto, que devalothe world is a ladder, some climb up, some come down fai de bèn a Bertrand, te lou rènd en cagantdo good to Bertrand, he repays it with ill treatment fai de bèn à Martin, te cago dins la mando good to Martin, he repays it with ill treatment pantaia de tasta de causo douço, enganamendreaming of sweets brings only disappointment