“Closed mouths don’t get fed and lazy hands don’t count bread”

“Closed mouths don’t get fed and lazy hands don’t count bread” is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying means that one must speak up to get fed, but one must work for it, too.
       
 
Google Books
Girlfriend to Girlfriend:
Everyday Wisdom and Affirmations
By Julia A. Boyd
New York, NY: Dutton
1995
Pg. 39:
Sometimes I have to remind myself that a closed mouth don’t get fed . -Lucy
 
Google Groups: alt.rap
TOE UP3344
Apr 6, 1996, 3:00:00 AM
(...)
Excuse my ignorance please but mama always told me a closed mouth don’t get fed… (mama is deep).
 
Google Groups: seattle.forsale.misc
Aaron Surina
Jun 13, 1999, 3:00:00 AM
(...)
REMEMBER ...
A CLOSED MOUTH DON’T GET FED@!
   
Genius (lyrics)
Tell It Like It Is
E-40
Track 6 on The Ball Street Journal (2008)
(...)
A closed mouth dont get fed
And a lazy hustler don’t get bread
   
X/Twitter
Cory Gibbons
@corygibbons
bite your tongue for no one and whatever is said, take it how they want, a closed mouth don’t get fed.
1:06 PM · Aug 21, 2008