Proverb Review
Here are some English Proverbs that I’m going to review and see whether they still hold up, fall apart today, or if they just plain don’t make any sense.
#1 “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”
Like an overload of dopamine, it’s good to remove yourself from the reward chemical. I myself appreciate things more when I’m deprived of them for a while, and not take them for granted. Rolls off the tongue too. 6/10
#2 “Actions speak louder than words”
Some people compare this to “the pen is mightier than the sword” and act like the two clash. They don’t. The pen being mightier than the sword refers to diplomacy and how signings and written agreements can prevent mass violence and wars which is obviously the better option. Actions speaking louder than words refers to what a single man can do, compared to what he says, and how we walk the walk. Again, nice and straightforward. 8/10
#3 “Honesty is the best policy”
This only applies when you’re a kid between 3 and 7. Anyone beyond that has at least five instances in their life where a noble, justified white lie was infinitely better than telling the truth. Very case by case basis, not reliable. 3/10
#4 This is a double whammie of “fortune favours the bold” and “good things come to those who wait”. These are both real dangerous when you adhere strongly to one or the other. Constantly taking risks can eventually get you in trouble when your luck runs out and doing bugger all is not good for life either. They both sound like phrases people came up with to justify their recklessness or their apathy. Sickening.
4/10 for both. Maybe if they were clumped into one phrase like “Mate, iz good to like, hop out your comfort zone sometimes… innit?”, it’d be good.
#5 “If you play with fire, you’ll get burned”. Basically a fact. 10/10
#6 “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”.
Here’s a classic example of the dumb analogy distracting you from the actual message. The only acceptable glass house is the one you put your tomatoes in. And you shouldn’t be throwing stones around in your house anyway. 2/10
#7 “A watched pot never boils”. I too have indeed had many times where a pot begins to boil while not under my observation, and obsessively observing things with a critical eye isn't a good habit either. 7/10
#8 “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”. Point to me the closest cake that a person would have no intention of eating. You can’t do it. For eons, I had no idea what this even meant cause it’s trying to sound clever but falls flat on its rear. 3/10
#9 “Practise makes perfect”. Good, simple, straight to the point, and it usually works too. 9/10
#10 “What you can’t hear can’t hurt you”.
Poison, disease, ninjas, cancer, biting insects, the sun. This is just terrible. 1/10
Thank you for reading and have a beautiful day.
Daniel
