When Proverbs Clash!

Why Old Sayings Keep Confusing Us!

Rubi Joshi
ILLUMINATION
2 min readJul 24, 2024

--

Photo by Joao Tzanno on Unsplash

I sometimes wonder if ancient wisdom can be trusted. Whenever I’m confused, I recall a proverb from school, only to remember another one that’s basically its opposite, taught at the same school! Seriously, how can we figure things out if even age-old sayings suffer from a split personality and can’t agree on what’s best?

Here are some proverbs that really make my head spin:

1. “Seek and Ye Shall Find” vs. “Curiosity Killed the Cat”

So, should I channel my inner Indiana Jones and explore that mysterious attic noise, or heed the flag waving that says, ‘Whoa there, detective — RUN!’?

2. “The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword” vs. “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”

So, if I’m writing my thoughts to seem wise and cool, is that enough to conquer the world, or is it more like, ‘That’s great and all, but am I actually doing anything about what I write?’ Should I keep typing or get my hands dirty?

3. “The Clothes Make the Man” vs. “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover”

Should I dress sharp, like I’m gearing up for a big interview, and dazzle them, or just be my fabulous self and focus on what’s inside that counts?

4. “The Bigger the Better” vs. “Good Things Come in Small Packages”

So, should I go for the giant-sized extravaganza or savor the little delights? Is grandeur the way to go, or should I be satisfied with a tiny, perfect chocolate truffle

5. “What Is Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander” vs. “One Man’s Meat Is Another Man’s Poison”

Should I stick with what works for everyone, or embrace the idea that one person’s treasure might be another’s disaster? The sign says it’s good for them — so will it be good for me as well?

6. “Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” vs. “Out of Sight, Out of Mind”

Okay, the big one! If someone leaves, should my heart hold on to them and cherish the long-distance relationship, or should I just enjoy the peace and quiet? Should I appreciate the person leaving or just forget them?

And there you have it! Whether you’re tackling life’s big decisions or just trying to make sense of the small stuff, remember that even the wisest sayings can’t always agree. Life isn’t black and white; it’s all about finding answers in the grey areas. Everyone’s situation is different. So, pick your side, enjoy the comedy of contradictions, and maybe — just maybe — learn a little something along the way!

Got any more? Throw them my way!

🙏 Support me at: Paypal 🙏

🌸Connect with me:🌸

Linkedin

Instagram

Youtube

🛒 Shop my Recommendations:🛒

Wishlink

--

--

Rubi Joshi
ILLUMINATION

✒️🌸Philosophy, Humor, Sci-Fi and Out-of-the-Box Facts Writer.🌸✒️ Open to contracts and projects. For Business Inquiries, contact: rubyjoshiofficial@gmail.com