About 20 years ago I read a reference book that said that the adage “One picture is worth a thousand words” was not a Chinese proverb, but was written by an American journalist who deliberately misrepresented it as a Chinese proverb, about 80 years ago. I don’t study Chinese literature or culture so I have no way to tell, one way or the other. 
I used to have a job that required me to visit all of the departments on the UCSB campus. I would see a lot of posters hanging on hallways and prof’s office walls.
My favorite was always the English department poster that read:
Why Have A Picture When You Can Have A Thousand Words?
Loved it…
For his effort, Barnard should have been paid in play money. He could have seen how he would like it.
It takes all kinds, I guess. :rolleyes: