--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You don't have to explain something you…" description: "\"“You don't have to explain something you haven't said.”\" — Calvin Coolidge" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/calvin-coolidge-764_communication_you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you_2113239.jpg" --- # You don't have to explain something you haven't said. ![“You don't have to explain something you haven't said.” quote by Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/calvin-coolidge-764_communication_you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you_2113239.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/calvin-coolidge-764_communication_you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you_2113239.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/calvin-coolidge-764_communication_you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you_2113239.jpg) > ““You don't have to explain something you haven't said.”” [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. One need not justify silence on unspoken matters, emphasizing the value of restraint. **In simple terms:** No need to explain what you haven’t said. Key Takeaway Practice restraint. Themes communication silence efficiency Mood calm thoughtful Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - negotiations - public speaking - personal disputes Key Concepts rhetoric conciseness Questions to Reflect On - When is silence more powerful than speech? - How does restraint affect trust? A Different Perspective Silence may be misinterpreted as indifference. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Don Explain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-explain-402489/) [Explain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explain/) [Explain Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explain-haven-4275982/) [Haven Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/haven-said-449330/) [Quietness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quietness/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) ## Related quotes > [You don't have to explain something you never said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you-never-said/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [In a Western, you don't over-explain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-dean-morgan/in-a-western-you-don-t-over-explain/) [Jeffrey Dean Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-dean-morgan/) > [On an independent film where you're working with just a handful of people, you don't have to explain anything because no one cares. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-watts/on-an-independent-film-where-you-re-working-with-just-a-handful-of/) [Jon Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-watts/) > [I don't have to explain myself to nobody. Nobody. I don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesean-mccoy/i-don-t-have-to-explain-myself-to-nobody-nobody-i-don-t/) [LeSean McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesean-mccoy/) > [If you don't explain it all to me, I might strangle somebody." Of course, Raphael might like that...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/if-you-don-t-explain-it-all-to-me-i-might-strangle-somebody-of-course/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“How will I explain it all … to everybody?” “You know, people don’t have to explain things nearly as much as you think they do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maeve-binchy/how-will-i-explain-it-all-to-everybody-you-know-people-don-t-have-to/) [Maeve Binchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maeve-binchy/) > [“Just because you can't see something, doesn't mean I don't. I can't explain it, I can't understand it, and I can't deny it. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/just-because-you-can-t-see-something-doesn-t-mean-i-don-t-i-can-t/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Don’t complain, don’t explain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/don-t-complain-don-t-explain/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I don't have to explain anything to anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dean/i-don-t-have-to-explain-anything-to-anybody/) [James Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dean/) > [Don't explain why it works; explain how you use it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/don-t-explain-why-it-works-explain-how-you-use-it/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“….I thought we’d be okay apart, but I was sorely mistaken. I don’t need much, Haven, but I do need you.” “I need you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-darhower/i-thought-we-d-be-okay-apart-but-i-was-sorely-mistaken-i-don-t-need/) [J.M. Darhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-darhower/) > [“They’ve done their best to make it harder for you, haven’t they?” he said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/they-ve-done-their-best-to-make-it-harder-for-you-haven-t-they-he-said/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [“He ran the back of his fingers along her flushed cheek. His touch was soft, and she leaned her head in his direction. “My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-darhower/he-ran-the-back-of-his-fingers-along-her-flushed-cheek-his-touch-was/) [J.M. Darhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-darhower/) > [You can get used to anything - haven't I already said that? Isn't that what all survivors say?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/you-can-get-used-to-anything-haven-t-i-already-said-that-isn-t-that/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) > [“Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who haven't said enough!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/go-on-get-out-last-words-are-for-fools-who-haven-t-said-enough/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) ## More by Calvin Coolidge > [Not all those who are attempting to conduct successful businesses are profiteers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/not-all-those-who-are-attempting-to-conduct-successful-businesses-are/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [A wholesome regard for the memory of the great men of long ago is the best assurance to a people of a continuation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/a-wholesome-regard-for-the-memory-of-the-great-men-of-long-ago-is-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“I have noticed that nothing I have never said ever did me any harm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/i-have-noticed-that-nothing-i-have-never-said-ever-did-me-any-harm/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“It has been my observation in life that, if one will only exercise the patience to wait, his wants are likely to be filled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/it-has-been-my-observation-in-life-that-if-one-will-only-exercise-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The man who builds a factory builds a temple, that the man who works there worships there, and to each is due, not scorn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-man-who-builds-a-factory-builds-a-temple-that-the-man-who-works/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The property of the people belongs to the people. To take it from them by taxation cannot be justified except by urgent public necessity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-property-of-the-people-belongs-to-the-people-to-take-it-from-them/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-nation-which-forgets-its-defenders-will-itself-be-forgotten/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/no-person-was-ever-honored-for-what-he-received-honor-has-been-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [Nations are beginning to look to some vague organization, some nebulous course of humanity, to pay their bills and tell them what to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/nations-are-beginning-to-look-to-some-vague-organization-some/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The government can supply no substitute for enterprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-government-can-supply-no-substitute-for-enterprise/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“While we should not refuse to spend and be spent in the service of our country, it is hazardous to attempt what we feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/while-we-should-not-refuse-to-spend-and-be-spent-in-the-service-of/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [One of the greatest dangers to peace lies in the economic pressure to which people find themselves subjected. One of the most practical things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/one-of-the-greatest-dangers-to-peace-lies-in-the-economic-pressure-to/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [War is the rule of force, and peace is the reign of law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/war-is-the-rule-of-force-and-peace-is-the-reign-of-law/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [Advertising ministers to the spiritual side of trade. It is great power that has been entrusted to your keeping which charges you with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/advertising-ministers-to-the-spiritual-side-of-trade-it-is-great/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [We cannot permit any inquisition either within or without the law or apply any religious test to the holding of office. The mind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/we-cannot-permit-any-inquisition-either-within-or-without-the-law-or/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) [Explore all 376 Calvin Coolidge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## More Communication quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The problem posed by indirect speech acts is the problem of how it is possible for the speaker to say one thing and mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-searle/the-problem-posed-by-indirect-speech-acts-is-the-problem-of-how-it-is/) [John Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-searle/) > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A poet is wounded into speech, and he examines these wounds, meticulously, to discover how to heal them. The bad poet harangues at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/a-poet-is-wounded-into-speech-and-he-examines-these-wounds/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [“To engage in dialogue is to serve others via whatever is real inside you; to engage in debate is to ultimately serve the illusions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oli-anderson/to-engage-in-dialogue-is-to-serve-others-via-whatever-is-real-inside/) [Oli Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oli-anderson/) > [What it comes down to for me is this: Will the technologies of communication in our culture, serve to enlighten us and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/what-it-comes-down-to-for-me-is-this-will-the-technologies-of/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I've been in a serious conversation with one of my children, and a fan has come up. I've been in a public bathroom and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-ve-been-in-a-serious-conversation-with-one-of-my-children-and-a-fan/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [Life as we know it is fundamentally unsatisfying. I think most folks feel this to be true. They know that a life of aimless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-yates/life-as-we-know-it-is-fundamentally-unsatisfying-i-think-most-folks/) [Michael Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-yates/) > [Disability, in general, hasn't been included in the conversation about inclusivity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-winston-george/disability-in-general-hasn-t-been-included-in-the-conversation-about/) [Jason Winston George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-winston-george/) > [“Women will be at least 50 percent of the communications community workforce … from executive suite to interns. Why? The “integrated” agency will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoram-wind/women-will-be-at-least-50-percent-of-the-communications-community/) [Yoram Wind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoram-wind/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) [Browse all 21,506 Communication quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You don't have to explain something you haven't said.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Calvin Coolidge" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you-haven-t-said/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Communication" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you-haven-t-said/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/calvin-coolidge-764_communication_you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you_2113239.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/calvin-coolidge-764_communication_you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you_2113239.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7f/calvin-coolidge-764_communication_you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you_2113239.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You don't have to explain something you haven't said.” — Calvin Coolidge", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Calvin Coolidge", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“You don't have to explain something...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you-haven-t-said/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/you-don-t-have-to-explain-something-you-haven-t-said/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```