empty vessels
Containers holding nothing
Empty vessels make the most noise—the proverb underlies all uses of this phrase.
An empty vessel is someone who talks much but knows little, or whose loud opinions lack substance.
The image comes from how hollow containers resonate more than full ones: He's an empty vessel, always pontificating about things he doesn't understand.
- hollowEmpty within
- echoingReflecting sound repeatedly
- vacantWithout an occupant
- barrenUnable to produce
- shellsProtective outer layers
husks · tin cans · containers · jars · pots · drums · rattling · noise · loud · boastful · all talk · vain · hot air · shallow · meaningless · unfilled · void · ceramic
substance/worth (proverbial)
empty vesselsstill waters
Motionless bodies of water
deep thinkers · men of few words · wise counsel · hidden depths · strong silent types
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