Often using a catch phrase, a person does not even think about its true meaning. The expression "About the dead is either good or nothing."
"it became almost a Russian proverb. For some reason, it is believed that a deceased person immediately does not scold. Death envelops him with a mysterious halo and can condemn someone who will slander the deceased on Earth, recalling his unseemly acts during his life.
Where did this expression come from?
This expression, which has become almost a guide to action, is found in the treatise of Diogenes Laertius - "Life, Teaching and Opinion of Orthodox Philosophers." De mortuis nihil nisi bonum, or De mortuis nil nisi bonum dicendum est. The basis for this was the expression of Hilton (6th century BC) - τὸν τεθνηκóτα μὴ κακολογεῖν, which can be translated as "Do not slander the dead."
There is also a completely different Latin proverb: De mortuis - veritas, which translates as "About the dead - the truth."
These two expressions have nothing in common with each other, therefore, which of them to follow, each decides for himself.
It turns out that there is no consensus on this issue, especially since the truth, as you know, everyone has their own. For some, the deceased person was the best, but for someone, on the contrary, brought a lot of sorrows in life.
If everyone gathers and begins to express their individual point of view on the earthly path of the deceased, then a great scandal will certainly arise, therefore it is considered indecent to speak badly about the dead.
Other versions
There is still such an opinion, it is impossible to speak badly about the dead, not because there is such a proverb. It is believed that a deceased person can no longer justify himself, and yet even the most terrible criminals still have the right to a lawyer. Speaking poorly about the deceased, a person assumes the role of prosecutor and judge, and who has the right to compete with God, to whom the soul of the deceased went directly.
The people also have another belief, when they speak badly about the dead man, his soul begins to worry, and for slander and lies, she can even return and take revenge on the offender.
Also, they don’t speak badly about the dead, because they do not want to offend his relatives and friends. Just for ethical reasons.
Why sometimes you can still talk bad about the dead
If you look, it turns out that not one person on Earth adheres to this rule. Of course, everyone is trying not to slander about deceased relatives, friends and acquaintances, however, this unwritten law does not apply to famous people. The more a person is famous, the more actively all the details of his life will be revealed.
And then what about criminals, maniacs and killers? How can you recall Andrei Chikatilo or Adolf Hitler with a kind word or just keep silent about their crimes.
