good words without deeds are nothing but / meer rushes and reeds

/ɡˈʊd wˈɜːdz wɪðˌaʊt dˈiːdz ɑː nˈʌθɪŋ bˌʌt mˈiə ɹˈʌʃɪz and ɹˈiːdz/

/ɡˈʊd wˈɜːdz wɪðˌaʊt dˈiːdz ɑːɹ nˈʌθɪŋ bˌʌt mˈɪɹ ɹˈʌʃᵻz ænd ɹˈiːdz/

used to imply that words or promises are meaningless without actions to back them up

Examples

1. When my friend kept making promises but failing to follow through, I reminded him that good words without deeds are rushes and reeds.