Contrary Proverbs
Proverbs are statements which show in condensed form life experience and teach us something . They are usually based on an image which is easy to grasp. Many of them through frequency of repetition have become chunks of a language having lost connectives:
"First come, first served." "Out of sight, out of mind."
Almost every good writer uses language idioms, and proverbs. They are the ways in which speech develops because they reflect the wisdom, cultural traditions and customs of a certain nation.
But what is interesting, within the same language, that is within the same culture and mentality, we can come across absolutely opposite, contrary proverbs.
Why so? There always exist two sides to the same coin! Any situation is rarely totally bad, or totally good. Any action is rarely totally correct. We do not live in a vacuum and choosing our way of action, doing what is good for us and other people, we might neglect the interests of somebody else...
I am all for considering two sides of any matter. How about you?
Here's a list of contrary proverbs. I don't think you have ever looked at them collected together.There's something to think about, right?
Here's a good opportunity for you to check your knowledge of the proverbs. Do you recognise them?:)
Have a great day!:)
Recent Comments
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Thank you Vera, now I'm jumping from one side to the other ...........it feel like I'm doing the hokey pokey ha ATB Carson 1
But true.....I was going back and forth. Had to bookmark it so I can come back and absorb the usefulness of it. Tell me it didn't have you jumpin from one to the other, the next on better than the last. Ha!!! ATB Carson 1
This is golden treasure. I love proverbs and I am a collector of African proverbs with interest in proverbs from all cultures. They are a rich source of guidance in our lives. The contrasts provide a great balance and there are some which incorporate both contracts in one proverb.
My attempt
No room to swing a cat. "be careful what you wish for, it may just get you (LOL)"
Don't believe everything you read. All roads lead to Rome
Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. As a man thinks, so is he.
When it rains it pours
Follow the river and you will reach the sea.
Me and my children are having a blast at the intention versus the result of the cat dumper.
Thanks, Tyrell. All these are beautiful examples of proverbs which fit the situations. Your knowledge of proverbs is amazing.:)
Very well put together...I wish there were only two sides to things...even a coin has three. Sure makes life interesting. Debbie
Great Stuff, Vera, (as always....) I like to think I consider at least two sides of every issue. There are some that only have one correct side, but those have to do with religion and politics, so I won't go into them. (I always make people mad when I do..)
Thank you for this refreshing look at some of this contrariness!
My mind is obviously not working, I looked at the images and could not, for the life of me, identify the parables associated with them, except maybe the one about 'it never rains, but that it pours' (??)
My pleasure, Mickey.I can't believe you can make people mad...lol Yes, that is true. It never rains, but pours. Let's wait for others to stretch their memory...:)
Something definitely worth thinking about. Feel better and make it a great day as well.
Bishop
I am all for considering both sides too! Great post-Vera, I really enjoyed it! You have a great day!
Thank you,Cindy.
Feels better now.
It's raining at last after a series of extremely hot days.
How are you there in your sunny state?:)
Great! You got some rain!
I'm good thanks! Hot and muggy here..I am sure we will likely get the usual afternoon thunderstorm...which my ducks love! ;-)
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Great post. I love stuff like this.
My pleasure, Craig.:)