True words are not always pretty; pretty words are not always true.

This aphorism circulates widely in modern quotation collections, posters, and online “proverb” lists as an anonymous saying. It is often presented as a piece of folk wisdom about rhetoric and persuasion—used in contexts where blunt honesty is contrasted with flattering or polished language (e.g., advice about relationships, politics, advertising, or public speaking). Although it is sometimes loosely associated with “ancient” or “Eastern” wisdom in popular sharing, I cannot verify a stable earliest appearance, a specific speaker, or a traceable first publication for this exact English wording.

The saying warns against equating attractiveness of expression with reliability. “True words” may be harsh, awkward, or socially inconvenient, yet still accurate; “pretty words” may be polished, soothing, or rhetorically impressive, yet misleading. The contrast highlights a common cognitive bias: people tend to trust what sounds agreeable or well phrased. As a practical ethic, it encourages valuing substance over style—seeking evidence and sincerity rather than being swayed by flattery, propaganda, or salesmanship. It also implicitly defends plain speaking: moral or factual clarity can require language that is not aesthetically pleasing.

1) “True words are not always beautiful; beautiful words are not always true.”
2) “True words aren’t always pretty, and pretty words aren’t always true.”
3) “Honest words are not always pretty; pretty words are not always honest.”