your mouth doesn't become sweet by saying sugar

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alpacinou

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Hello.

In my language, we have a saying that translates like this:

By saying sugar, your mouth doesn't become sweet.

We use it when we want to suggest that saying something is not enough. You have to take action to achieve the desired effect.

Is there an idiom like that in English?

I already know "actions speak louder than words" but that is slightly different.
 

GoesStation

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We use a somewhat similar expression to encourage kind words: You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.
 

alpacinou

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We use a somewhat similar expression to encourage kind words: You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

Maybe I did not explain myself correctly, but that is different.

The proverb you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar means that it is much easier to get what you want by being polite rather than by being rude and insolent.

I'm looking for an idiom which means mere words do not get you results. You need to take actions.
 

GoesStation

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GoesStation

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I'm looking for an idiom which means mere words do not get you results. You need to take actions.
I'm told that my late father-in-law frequently said If wishes were horses then beggars would ride. That's a somewhat similar sentiment.
 
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