External acts indicate undisclosed thoughts.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Where a party's subjective intent is unknown, the court infers it from outward conduct — overt acts are the law's window into hidden purpose.

Where this applies

• A husband claims he loves his wife, but he changed the locks while she was away and moved her belongings to the curb — his actions reveal his true intent.
• A business partner says he wants the partnership to succeed, but he has been secretly diverting clients to a competing firm — his external acts expose his hidden purpose.
• A contractor claims he intended to finish the job, but he pulled his crew off the site, returned the client's key, and took another contract across town.