proverb · Words worth keeping
Next to love, quietness.
Next to love, quietness.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A peaceful atmosphere can be deeply valuable alongside affection. The saying praises quietness, without requiring silence at all costs or treating disagreement and a person’s need to speak as failures of love.
What the words are saying
The phrase places quietness close to love in its account of what makes life welcome. Quietness can be read as freedom from unnecessary disturbance or hostility rather than the absence of every sound. In a relationship or shared space, that calm may give people room to rest, listen and enjoy one another’s company. But a surface appearance of peace can also conceal an unresolved difficulty. The saying should not demand that someone stay silent about a real concern. Its useful reading values an atmosphere where people can feel at ease while keeping room for honest discussion, ordinary activity and different needs.
Everyday example
Housemates agree a quieter evening routine during a busy week while keeping a regular time to discuss problems rather than avoiding them.
When to use it
Use it when calm and considerate surroundings are being valued alongside companionship.
What it does not mean
Quietness must not mean silencing concerns; people can disagree honestly and still seek a peaceful arrangement.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or 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
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 1325 · Quietness
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- English