The spoken word flies; the written letter remains.

Explanation

Oral statements vanish once uttered, but written instruments endure as permanent evidence — this is why the law requires important transactions to be reduced to writing. (Duplicate maxim — see also 1.5.360.)

Where this applies

• Two business partners make a verbal agreement about splitting profits, but when they disagree six months later, neither can prove what was actually said.
• A landlord tells a tenant orally that the security deposit will be returned in full, but the written lease says otherwise — the written lease governs.
• A witness claims the defendant confessed aloud at a party, but there's no recording and no written statement — the spoken words are gone and impossible to verify.

See also

• 1.5.360 The voice once uttered flies away, the written letter remains.