Still Waters

Now commonly used to assert that a placid exterior hides a passionate or subtle nature. Cf. [Q. Curtius De Rebus Gestis Alexandri Magni VII. iv. 13] altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi, the deepest rivers flow with least sound [said there to be a Bactrian saying].

There the flode is deppist the water standis stillist.
[c 1400 Cato's Morals in Cursor Mundi (EETS) 1672]

Smothe waters ben ofte sithes [oftentimes] depe.
[c 1410 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (EETS) 476]

Where riuers runne most stilly, they are the deepest.
[1616 T. Draxe Adages 178]

Smooth Waters run deep.
[1721 J. Kelly Scottish Proverbs 287]

In maturer age‥the fullest, tenderest tide of which the loving heart is capable may be described by those ‘still waters’ which ‘run deep’.
[1858 D. M. Mulock Woman's Thoughts about Women xii.]

As for her, still waters run deep, it seems. She always looked so solemn. ‥Fancy her shooting him!
[1979 M. Underwood Victim of Circumstances ii. 86]

Still waters run deep, so they say. The stillest and deepest belonged to Greta Garbo, who abruptly ended a dispute with Hollywood's moguls by saying, ‘I tink I go home now.’ She meant Sweden.
[2001 National Review 30 Apr. 60]

Related to: appearance, deceptive; speech and silence

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.

A quiet person may be very profound, as in Susie rarely says much, but still waters run deep. The physical observation in this term dates from ancient times, but it has been used figuratively since about 1400. Anthony Trollope amplified it in He Knew He Was Right (1869): "That's what I call still water. She runs deep enough. . . . So quiet, but so--clever."

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For the song "Still Waters Run Deep" by The 69 Eyes, see Still Waters Run Deep (The 69 Eyes song).

"Still Waters (Run Deep)"
Single by Bee Gees
from the album Still Waters
Released	October 27, 1997
Format	7" single, CD
Recorded	1996 - 1997
Genre	Pop
Length	4:08
Label	Polydor Records
Producer	Hugh Padgham
Bee Gees singles chronology
"I Could Not Love You More" (1997) "Still Waters Run Deep" (1997) "This Is Where I Came In" (2001)

"Still Waters (Run Deep)" is a song by the Bee Gees. It was the third and final single issued from their multi-platinum Still Waters album, released in 1997. The song is a pop ballad written by Barry, Robin and Maurice and recorded between 1996 and 1997. The recording and the producing of the song were assisted by Hugh Padgham. For the third time in a row, the Bee Gees made a UK Top 20 hit single from the same album, peaking at #18. The single performed well around the European charts, and peaked at #57 in the U.S.

Track listings

• UK CD Single 1

1. "Still Waters (Run Deep)" - 4:08
2. "Still Waters (Run Deep)" [Demo] - 3:55 (Recorded one year before the definitive version, it omits the Robin lead vocals)
3. "Obsessions" 4:43

• UK CD Single 2

1. "Still Waters (Run Deep)" - 4:08
2. "Night Fever" - 3:29
3. "More Than a Woman" - 3:16
4. "You Should Be Dancing" - 4:16

• US CD Single

1. "Still Waters (Run Deep)" - 4:08
2. "Love Never Dies" - 4:05 (This song was previously released in the "I Could Not Love You More" UK single)

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