Cf. [a 1300 Proverbs of Alfred (1907) 35] Gin thu neuere leuen alle monnis spechen, Ne alle the thinge that thu herest singen; [1770 C. Carroll Letter 4 Sept. in Maryland Hist. Mag. (1918) XIII. 58] You must not take Everything to be true that is told to you.
You are young yet‥but the time will arrive when you will learn to judge for yourself. ‥Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.
[1845 E. A. Poe in Graham's Mag. Nov. 194]
It's a good plan to believe half you see and nothing you hear.
[1933 ‘R. Essex’ Slade of Yard xix.]
I listened with the old magician's warning lively in my mind; believe nothing of what you hear—and only half of what you see!
[1979 D. Kyle Green River High ii.]
The Democratic candidates are lined up, and they are making hot and heavy pitches for our votes. But, as the old saying goes, believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.
[2002 Washington Times 16 Aug. A19]
Related to: rumour; trust and scepticism
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
