proverb · Words worth keeping
It's a bad cause that none dare speak in.
It's a bad cause that none dare speak in.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A position may be weak if nobody is willing to defend it openly. The saying values accountable argument, but silence may also reflect fear or unequal power rather than the merits of a case.
Example
A chair asks supporters of a proposal to explain its benefits and then gives them time to answer without ridicule.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The proverb imagines a cause so poor that no one dares speak on its behalf. It asks whether a proposal can survive explanation and questioning rather than depend on evasion. In a fair discussion, willingness to give reasons can help others understand what is being claimed. The wording also has an important limit: people may hesitate because speaking carries a cost, not because their position is wrong. A useful reading therefore considers both the argument and the conditions under which it is heard. An unpopular or dangerous-to-defend claim deserves examination on evidence rather than a verdict based only on silence.
When to use it
Use it to encourage reasons and accountable discussion.
Keep in mind
Fear, exclusion or unequal power can prevent a sound case being voiced.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English