# Is “Actions speak louder than words” in the Bible?

> No. “Actions speak louder than words” is not in the Bible.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/actions-speak-louder-than-words
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

The Bible makes the point in its own words: love “with actions and in truth,” not only with words (1 John 3:18), and faith that has no works is dead (James 2:17).

Not in the Bible. Origin: An old English proverb.

## What the Bible says instead

> Little children, let us not love with words or with the tongue, but with actions and in truth.
>
> — [1 John 3:18](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-john/3#18) (Lumin Translation)

> So it is with faith as well: if it has no works, it is dead on its own.
>
> — [James 2:17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/2#17) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Actions speak louder than words” in the Bible?

No. “Actions speak louder than words” is not in the Bible. The Bible makes the point in its own words: love “with actions and in truth,” not only with words (1 John 3:18), and faith that has no works is dead (James 2:17).

### Where does “Actions speak louder than words” come from?

An old English proverb.

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read 1 John 3:18, James 2:17. The Bible makes the point in its own words: love “with actions and in truth,” not only with words (1 John 3:18), and faith that has no works is dead (James 2:17).

## More

- [Is “Am I my brother’s keeper” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/am-i-my-brothers-keeper.md)
- [Is “The borrower is slave to the lender” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-borrower-is-slave-to-the-lender.md)
- [Is “An eye for an eye” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/an-eye-for-an-eye.md)
- [Is “Fight the good fight” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/fight-the-good-fight.md)
- [Is “Holier than thou” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/holier-than-thou.md)
- [Is “Jesus wept” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/jesus-wept.md)
- [Is “Let there be light” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/let-there-be-light.md)
- [Is “Love your neighbor as yourself” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/love-your-neighbor-as-yourself.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)