‘For want of a nail the shoe is lost; for want of a shoe the horse is lost; for want of a horse the rider is lost.’ This was one of Benjamin Franklin’s proverbs which established in 1930s. As we all know, the proverb describes the loss of an empire just because of a missing small nail. No matter how well you prepared, a small neglect could still breed great mischief. Sometimes it may only cost you a little money; sometimes it may hurt others; but sometimes it do cause catastrophe.…
There are many pithy observations that contain a general truth in society today. An example of a pithy observation is the statement, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” There is also this aphorism written by Henry David Thorreau. Mr. Thoreau said, “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish that they are really after.” This quote has a very strong explanation. Henry David is telling us that many people go on a hunt for things not really knowing what they are looking for. This could also mean that what they are really searching for is in disguise by some thought of theirs. This quote is very precise and truthful.…
Benjamin Franklin once said “If your head is wax, don’t walk in the sun”. Franklin had created an aphorism. Webster’s dictionary defines an aphorism as “a short phrase that expresses a true or wise idea” (Aphorism). Franklin modified most of his aphorisms to correspond with traditional or folk sayings, known as proverbs. This aphorism is parallel to a Russian proverb that instructs, “One who sits between two chairs may easily fall down”. What do these proverbs mean? How are they similar? Why do different cultures preserve similar kinds of wisdom? All of these questions can be answered by first knowing who Benjamin Franklin was, and understanding how these aphorisms reflect the time period in which they were created in.…
The book of Proverbs has a unique ability to teach us about God’s commandments in a concise manner. The content is so powerful because of the Proverbs’ usage of rhetorical elements. For example, sin is often compared to animals in order to prove that sin is dangerous, dirty and often instinctual, just like many animals. The similes and metaphors are employed to make us aware of the gravity of sin and help us realize the importance of avoiding sin at all possible cost, just like we avoid dangerous and dirty animals.…
The keys to great aphorisms are their ability to be applied to more common situations, thereby making them even more memorable by their availability for frequent usage, their ear-catching prominence and their paradoxical nature. That final element is what makes aphorisms so engaging. The most witty and intelligent examples are those that expose two supposed opposites for their ironic closeness and display the fine line between contradiction and a surprisingly parallel relationship between both.…
“In life the smallest things can make the greatest impact on the world”. This is known as the Butterfly Effect in chaos theory. The butterfly effects most famous example is a hurricane creation depending on whether or not a butterfly flaps its wings. For instance if a rat in a hurry is frightened it gives off a gas that tells all the other rats to run away saving the pack form harm. The most well-known illustration of the butterfly effect is also known as the ripple effect. The butterfly effects shows that everything we do affects everything else. As said “If you think you are too small to have an impact try going to bed with a mosquito”.…
Quick translation: a very casual way to say "Hi" or "How are you?" or "What is happening here?"…
This proverb basically means that what you do is more important then what you say; for example just because I say I will contribute to charity don’t mean anything; until I really contribute to charity in that way by proving my words.…
This is an oft-repeated proverb. Like all proverbs. It too aims at keeping people away from mistakes, and their consequent results. More often than not they come to our help when we do not know what to do. This one is a sort of spear against the devil of carelessness.…
Chinese proverb. It says, "Study till old, live till old, and there is still three-tenths studying left to do." Meaning that no matter how old you are, there is still more studying left to do…
Proverbs have a deep meaning and if we analyze them ,we can decipher their meaning . This proverb literally means that a small tear in a cloth or garment can be corrected or remedied if attended to in time . But if ignored this small tear may widen leading to more work or the garment may have to be discarded.…
Some proverbs/idioms are given below together with their meanings. Choose the correct meaning of proverb/idiom, If there is no correct meaning given, E (i.e.) 'None of these' will be the answer.…
This I have seen in life—those who are overcautious about themselves fall into dangers at every step; those who are afraid of losing honor and respect, get only disgrace; and those who are always afraid of loss, always lose.…
Aristotle is praised for naming fortitude, First of the cardinal virtues as that without which no other virtue can steadily be practiced; but he might, with equal propriety have placed prudence and justice before it. Since without prudence fortitude is mad; without justice it is dangerous. Only a fool or a suicide will jump into a river without making sure about the depths, eddies and whirlpools. And even there no one tests the depth of a river with both feet.…
Therefore, I never dare to make a fuss of anything again, don't dare to make a mountain out of a mole hill again, and always chew over everything before…