# Is “Better to stay silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt” in the Bible?

> No. “Better to stay silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt” is not in the Bible.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/better-to-stay-silent-and-be-thought-a-fool
By Andrew Kittridge · October 28, 2026

Often credited to Abraham Lincoln or Mark Twain. Proverbs 17:28 makes a similar point: even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise.

Not in the Bible. Origin uncertain.

## What the Bible says instead

> Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; whoever shuts his lips is thought discerning.
>
> — [Proverbs 17:28](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/17#28) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Better to stay silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt” in the Bible?

No. “Better to stay silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt” is not in the Bible. Often credited to Abraham Lincoln or Mark Twain. Proverbs 17:28 makes a similar point: even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise.

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read Proverbs 17:28. Often credited to Abraham Lincoln or Mark Twain. Proverbs 17:28 makes a similar point: even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise.

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