A proverb is basically a composition of high intellectual words which has everyday learning, piece of advice, and the truth behind all. Proverbs are a short, clever saying with a lot of wisdom to offer on our lives. Including them in our conversations can be fun as it will help us know the people of other countries and how they think. Also, it facilitates a thorough understanding of both the culture and the language that we are learning.
It can enrich us and society if we are to understand the viewpoints behind the saying. Not to forget – our memes, catchphrases from television and social media are declining the value of proverbs. However, its moral values and social skills can never be replaced.
So here are some amazing proverbs with million-dollar wisdom
1. Necessity is the mother of invention
Meaning: When in need or in difficult situations, you have no other choice to survive or to come up with innovative solutions.
Example: The need for easy transportation of heavy loads from one place to the other led the man to invent wheels. And that’s how we know necessity is the mother of invention.
2. Discretion is the better part of valor
Meaning: It is wise to be more careful in each step of your life than to show unnecessary bravery.
Example: Son: Can I go swimming in a lake with my friends?
Father: No, my child.
Son: But they’ll say I’m a chicken if I don’t go!
Father: Discretion is the better part of valor, and I would rather have them call you a chicken than risk your life at all.
3. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Meaning: We miss the person who isn’t with us anymore, but couldn’t value them when they were still with us.
Example: These two never understood each other’s worth until they were separated and sent far away from each other. Now they miss each other all the time. I think absence makes the heart grow fonder.
4. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Meaning: Be appreciative of what you have because it is always better than what you might get.
Example: I think I should buy the car at the offered price instead of waiting for the prices to drop. After all, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
5. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
Meaning: If things were to happen just by wishing or praying, even the poorest of all will have everything that they want.
Example: X: I want a business that makes me a millionaire in just a few months so I wouldn’t need a vacation from my own work.
Y: If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Stop fooling yourself and work hard towards your goal. You never know what your future awaits.
6. Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: We connect with similar people who think or act the way we do.
Example: Both of them are foodies, exploring new outlets is what they do. No wonder they are best friends. As they say, birds of a feather flock together.
7. The best-laid plans go astray
Meaning: Even after our best preparations, things may not turn the way we expect them to.
Example: X: I had every detail covered for this project, but now I’m told that my partner will be presenting the project in front of the class.
Y: Well, that’s unfortunate, but sometimes the best-laid plans go astray.
8. Watch the doughnut and not the hole
Meaning: Appreciate what you have. Don’t keep your focus on what you don’t have.
Example: X: I have an assignment to submit next week, but I don’t know what should be written on this topic.
Y: Ask your friends. Look through the books. Try to understand the topic. Watch the doughnut and not the hole.
9. Appearances can be deceptive
Meaning: Sometimes, things appear to be different from what they are.
Example: You shouldn’t trust people so easily – whom you are not familiar with so or who are not likely to show their true self because appearances can be deceptive.
10. An idle brain is the devil’s workshop
Meaning: We have negative thoughts or opinions towards everything when we are sitting idle. Our mind works differently when we have nothing to do.
Example: You should always keep your kids busy with something or the other. Drawing, playing, or letting them do household chores keeps them busy. After all, an idle brain is the devil’s workshop.
11. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Meaning: From person to person, the perception of beauty always varies. My choice may not be similar to yours.
Example: I don’t like the color of your house, it should’ve been white. But then, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.
12. It’s no use crying over spilt milk
Meaning: There’s no use in being upset over things that have already happened in the past.
Example: Our previous trip was a disaster, Anne lost her spectacles and it made her upset. Also ruined everybody’s mood, but it’s no use crying over spilt milk.
13. Enjoy it while it lasts
Meaning: Make the best use of your time, live in the present because it’s never coming back.
Example: School life is the best time of your life or your childhood, enjoy it while it lasts. Because then, you’ll be running to chase your life.
14. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today
Meaning: You should never delay your work when you can do it immediately.
Example: I regret not completing my homework the day it was given, I would be more relieved and in a better state of mind. Instead, I kept delaying and couldn’t complete it. That is why you should never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
15. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar
Meaning: It is easier to win the hearts of people on your side by persuasion and politeness than by confrontation and threats.
Example: X: The food delivery has taken more time than they had shown. I want to take the issue up with them and get a free meal.
Y: I suggest that you politely deal with them. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
16. Two wrongs don’t make a right
Meaning: You should never take revenge on the person who has harmed you, even if you think that he deserves it.
Example: Just because he insulted you publicly does not mean you can do the same thing when you meet him the next time, two wrongs don’t make a right.
Conclusion
Who doesn’t like to use a good proverb in everyday conversations? We all do at some point or the other, it’s an integral part of our life. What makes them interesting and popular is that they connect to deep psychological roots with human beings. To know and to inculcate is to connect with other people along with the wisdom of the past.
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