What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.

The saying contrasts words with deeds, asserting that behavior is a more reliable and forceful form of communication than speech. It implies that actions reveal character and intentions—often contradicting stated beliefs or promises—so observers naturally trust what is done over what is said. The line is frequently used as a moral admonition: credibility is earned through consistent conduct, not rhetoric. Although commonly attributed to Emerson because it aligns with his emphasis on character, sincerity, and self-reliance, the attribution is disputed; the idea is broadly proverbial and appears in many later contexts as a maxim about integrity and authenticity.