Thought for Today
Proverbs Day Eight
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."
Meaning: Don't be overly critical or ungrateful when receiving something as a gift.
Example: Even though the gift wasn't exactly what she wanted, she appreciated the gesture and didn't look a gift horse in the mouth.
"He who goes farthest has the most friends."
Meaning: Success and achievement tend to attract more people and friendships.
Example: As he climbed the corporate ladder, he noticed that he who goes farthest has the most friends; more people wanted to be associated with him.
"The farther from the wood, the sweeter the music."
Meaning: Being removed from a noisy or chaotic environment can make one appreciate peace and tranquility more.
Example: After a hectic workweek, the weekend in the countryside felt incredibly peaceful; the farther from the wood, the sweeter the music.
"The farther a blind man goes, the more he feels the need for a guide."
Meaning: The more challenges one faces, the more they may realize the importance of seeking help or guidance.
Example: In the complex world of finance, he encountered difficulties and understood the value of a financial advisor; the farther a blind man goes, the more he feels the need for a guide.
"He that has a head of wax must not walk in the sun."
Meaning: People who are sensitive or easily influenced should avoid situations where they might face criticism or pressure.
Example: Knowing that he had a head of wax and was sensitive to criticism, he avoided confrontational meetings.
"A friend in need is a friend indeed."
Meaning: A true friend is one who offers support and assistance when you're in trouble or need.
Example: When he was going through a tough time, his friend helped him without hesitation; a friend in need is a friend indeed.
"Every man is the architect of his own fortune."
Meaning: Individuals have control over their destinies and can shape their own futures.
Example: Through hard work and determination, he built a successful career, proving that every man is the architect of his own fortune.
"Better to be an old man's darling than a young man's slave."
Meaning: It's preferable to be cherished and treated well by someone older and wiser than to be dominated by a younger person.
Example: She chose to marry an older man who respected her and valued her opinions; better to be an old man's darling than a young man's slave.
"The road to success is farther than you think, but worth the journey."
Meaning: Achieving success often requires more time and effort than initially expected, but the rewards make it worthwhile.
Example: Despite facing setbacks and challenges, he persisted on his entrepreneurial journey, believing that the road to success is farther than you think, but worth the journey.
"Sly as a fox."
Meaning: Describing someone who is clever, cunning, or deceitful.
Example: He managed to outsmart his competitors in the business deal; he's as sly as a fox.
"Don't trust the fox to guard the henhouse."
Meaning: Be cautious about entrusting responsibility or authority to someone who may have conflicting interests.
Example: They didn't want the competitor's employees to oversee their company's sensitive data; don't trust the fox to guard the henhouse.
"The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing."
Meaning: Contrasting approaches to knowledge and expertise, with some being versatile and others specialized.
Example: She excelled in multiple fields, while her colleague was a renowned expert in a specific area; the fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.
"A fox smells its own hole first."
Meaning: People tend to notice flaws or problems in others that they may have themselves.
Example: She criticized her friend's spending habits, but a fox smells its own hole first; she had similar financial issues.
"Outfoxed."
Meaning: Being defeated or outwitted by someone who is clever or cunning.
Example: Despite his elaborate plan, he was outfoxed by the detective; his criminal scheme failed.
"Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests."
Meaning: A reminder of the importance of having a place to call home.
Example: She cherished her cozy apartment because she knew that even foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests.
"A fox may grow gray, but never good."
Meaning: Suggesting that one's inherent nature or character doesn't change with age.
Example: Despite his advancing years, he continued to engage in dishonest practices; a fox may grow gray, but never good.
"Run with the fox and hunt with the hounds."
Meaning: Trying to be on both sides of a situation, often to benefit from either outcome.
Example: He publicly supported both political parties, hoping to gain favor regardless of the election results; he was trying to run with the fox and hunt with the hounds.
"When the fox preaches, take care of your geese."
Meaning: Be cautious when someone with questionable intentions offers advice or guidance.
Example: He tried to convince them to invest in a dubious scheme, but they remembered the proverb: when the fox preaches, take care of your geese.
"A fox's sleep is always disturbed."
Meaning: Suggesting that a person with a guilty conscience is often anxious and troubled.
Example: After cheating on the exam, he couldn't sleep well because a fox's sleep is always disturbed.
"Don't make a permanent decision based on temporary anger."
Meaning: Cautioning against making hasty or irreversible choices when you are upset or angry.
Example: After an argument, he decided to quit his job, but his friends advised him not to make a permanent decision based on temporary anger.
"When anger rises, think of the consequences."
Meaning: Encouraging people to consider the potential outcomes or repercussions of their anger-driven actions.
Example: Before confronting his colleague in a heated manner, he remembered the proverb: when anger rises, think of the consequences.
"Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured."
Meaning: Expressing that harboring anger can be more damaging to oneself than to the target of the anger.
Example: She realized that holding onto her anger was affecting her mental and physical health, as anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.