No news is good news
Meaning
The absence of information or updates about a situation implies that everything is likely proceeding well or without problems.
Origin
In the early 17th century, communication was slow and often carried tidings of disaster, rebellion, or war. When King James I of England received a messenger from Ireland in 1616 who reported nothing amiss, the king famously declared, "No news is good news." This utterance perfectly encapsulated the relief of a ruler accustomed to hearing only ill tidings from distant and often rebellious territories. The simple wisdom of this observation quickly spread, becoming a common comforting adage for anyone awaiting news, suggesting that the absence of a message implies the absence of problems.
Examples
- I haven't heard anything from the hospital about my test results, so I'm trying to believe that no news is good news.
- The project manager hasn't called us with any issues, proving that no news is good news when you're waiting for critical feedback.