Never speak ill of the dead
[B]Possible interpretation:[/B] Show respect to people who have died by not saying anything bad about them. Since dead people can no longer hurt us, or defend themselves, it is better to forget their bad actions and remember only their good ones.
[I]Note:[/I] speak ill of (verb): criticize; speak badly about | the dead (noun): people who have died
[I]Origin:[/I] This proverb has been traced back to Chilon of Sparta (6th century BC). The Latin version was "De mortuis nil nisi bonum" ("Of the dead say nothing but good").
Quick Quiz:
The saying "Never speak ill of the dead" recommends that we should not ________________.
a. hope that ill people will die
b. criticize ill people before they die
c. criticize people who are no longer alive
Answer: c
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