Etymology

still waters run deep

Today it means: A person with a calm appearance has, or may have, considerable inner emotion, character, or intellect. Full definition →

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The story

Of Latin origin, but possibly popularized by William Shakespeare, c. 1590, in "Henry VI," part 2, act 3, scene 1: : Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep; : And in his simple show he harbours treason.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.