The public at large, however, knew little and cared less about what was happening behind the scenes. Their eyeswhen they bothered to look at allwere upon the well lighted stage where the Harding Administration was playing a drama of discreet and seemly statesmanship.
Actions speak louder than words basically means that the character you play as yourself shows the real truth of who you are and what you're capable of, since playing the role of yourself can show your true colors without you even saying a word.
When we say sooner rather than later, what we really mean is soon rather than later. So there is a redundancy to sooner rather.. Only one is really necessary. Once you become accustomed to sooner than later, it starts to sound correct.