"A journey of a thousand miles..."

 

Lao Zi (Wikimedia)

Proverb: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

• This saying actually comes from the Dao De Jing, an ancient book by one of China's great and mysterious philosophers, Lao Zi. A passage in Chapter 64 reads in one translation:

The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout; the tower of nine storeys rose from a (small) heap of earth; the journey of a thousand li commenced with a single step.

Meaning: No matter how great the task, it begins (and continues) one "step" at a time.

• Those of us who launch a lot of online projects have been taught, "Don't wait until (you think) you're ready." In other words, "Just do it!"

Dialogue: Two students are talking in the lunch room about a school assignment.

Alex: Hi, Robby. Have you finished writing your story yet?
Robby: Finish it? I haven't even started it!
Alex: Why not?
Robby: I haven't figured out the ending.
Alex: Seriously? Don't worry about the ending. Just start at the beginning and let it unfold. You know what they say, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Robby: Okay. I'll get started tonight!
Alex: Well, you'd better. It's due the day after tomorrow!

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"? The correct answer is in the first comment below.
     A. Your friend is almost finished painting his house.
     B. Your friend has been making plans to open a business for three years.
     C. Your friend needs to bake a pie, but he hasn't even found a recipe yet.

"People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 11 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones

• This is a picturesque way to talk about people criticizing others for a weakness they themselves share.

Meaning: Don't criticize others for doing something that you also do.

• For example, someone who drives badly shouldn't call another person a "bad driver" when he can be criticized for the same thing. He would be "throwing stones" at that person, even though, if someone "threw stones" at him in return, his fragile house--made of glass--would also be damaged.

Mini-Dialogue: A boy named Todd is sitting alone in the cafeteria. His friend Roland asks what's wrong.

Roland: Hey, Todd, what's up? Why are you all alone?
Todd: Oh, my friend Albert is a real jerk, so I quit hanging out with him.
Roland: What did he do?
Todd: Oh, he's always making fun of my clothes, and my hairstyle, and just my overall look.
Roland: Wow. He's not such a great dresser himself.
Todd: Exactly! My dad always says, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
Roland: That's right!

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"? The correct answer is in the first comment below.
   A. Your friend's room is always clean, but she tells her brother that his is a mess.
   B. Your friend tells you not to talk so much, but he virtually never shuts up.
   C. Your friend quits his job, but only after he has found another one.

"Two heads are better than one"

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 10 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: Two heads are better than one.

• This is an old idea. The Bible says of people, "Two are better than one," and the Greek philosopher Aristotle says the same: "Two good men are better than one." In 1546, John Heywood wrote in his Proverbs:
      Some heads have considered two heads to be better than one
      But ten heads without wit I consider as good as none.
  (I have modernized Heywood's version.)

Meaning: It's easier to find the solution to a problem if you have someone to help you think about it.

• Remember: another person can have a different point of view, or know something you don't know.

Mini-Dialogue: Alex sees his friend Jon at a study table looking worried.

Alex: Hey, Jon. What's wrong?
Jon: These math problems! I wish I could afford a tutor!
Alex: You don't need to pay anyone. Just get a "study buddy."
Jon: What, like, just a friend?
Alex: Exactly! Someone to help you see your "blind spots." You know, "Two heads are better than one."
Jon: Good idea!

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "Two heads are better than one"? The correct answer is in the first comment below.
   A. Your project manager suggests you talk with another team member to help you solve a problem.
   B. Your friend insists that you bring a date to the dance.
   C. The scientist kept his research a secret so no one would steal his ideas.

"A stitch in time saves nine"

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 9 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: "A stitch in time saves nine"

• This saying was popularized by Benjamin Franklin in his Poor Richard's Almanac, but it was known before that.

Meaning: If you see a potential problem and solve it before it grows, you'll prevent it from becoming a big problem later.

• Literally, it means that one stitch done soon enough prevents having to make nine stitches later.

Mini-Dialogue: Wayne sees his friend Lillian looking around on the floor.

Lillian: Darn it!
Wayne: What happened, Lil?
Lillian: Oh, I just lost a button.
Wayne: That's too bad.
Lillian: Yeah, I knew it was just hanging by a thread. If only I'd done something about it sooner...
Wayne: I know. "A stitch in time saves nine," right?
Lillian: Exactly.

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would someone use the proverb, "A stitch in time saves nine"? The correct answer is in the first comment below.
   A. Miriam planted a vegetable garden and now she doesn't have to go to the market as often.
   B. Marlin invested wisely when he was younger, and now he's able to retire early.
   C. You put off painting your house; now the wood will need a lot of repair work before it can be painted again.

"For want of a nail the kingdom was lost"

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 8 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: "For want of a nail the kingdom was lost"

• This is actually a summation of a longer "poem":

"For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
"For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
"For want of a horse the rider was lost.
"For want of a rider the battle was lost.
"For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
"And all for the want of a nail."

Meaning: Seemingly-small events--or even mistakes--can have big consequences.

• "Want" here means "lack" or "absence"; that is, the named thing (nail, shoe, horse, etc.) is missing.
• This is something like the modern idea known as the "Butterfly Effect," where the small air motion made when a butterfly flaps its wing contributes to the formation of a hurricane.

Dialogue: Josh looks upset; Sarah asks why.

Sarah: Hey, Josh. What's wrong?
Josh: Well, I was supposed to have a big meeting with my adviser today, to file my graduation papers. I've missed the meeting a couple of times before, and today was the last chance before the deadline. But I missed the appointment!
Sarah: How did that happen?
Josh: Well, to get here on time, I have to catch a 7:40 bus.
Sarah: Yeah...
Josh: My sister was supposed to wake me up, and she didn't.
Sarah: Why not?
Josh: Because she was so tired when she went to bed last night that she forgot to set her alarm.
Sarah: Why was she so tired?
Josh: She was up late working on a big project for school.
Sarah: Why didn't she do it earlier in the evening?
Josh: Because she had to fix dinner. My mom couldn't do that because she got home too late.
Sarah: OK, why was your mom so late?
Josh: Because she had a flat tire. She ran over a nail. And because of that, I might not graduate on time, and I might not get the college of my choice, and I might be a total failure in life!
Sarah: And all because of a nail? Hmmm... That reminds me of a poem...

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "For want of a nail the kingdom was lost"? The correct answer is in the first comment below.
   A. Michelle forgot to get a flu shot, but fortunately she never caught the flu from anyone.
   B. Bob couldn't find his keys; was late to work; lost his job; and so on; and now he's homeless.
   C. Terry took the wrong exit and ended up in a strange neighborhood, but finally returned to the freeway and reached his destination.

"Let sleeping dogs lie"

My dog Bella. When she's sleeping, I just let her lie.

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 7 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: Let sleeping dogs lie.

Meaning: If a matter is settled, there's no need to bring it up again.

• Numerous sayings make the same point: "Let bygones be bygones," "Leave well enough alone," etc. the Romans said, Quieta non movere ("Don't move things that are quiet") and many others.

Mini-Dialogue: Sam sees his friend Dave looking a little low.

Sam: Hey, Dave. What's wrong?
Dave: Oh, my girlfriend and I had a fight last week. I think she smokes too much! The argument's over, but the smoking still bothers me.
Sam: Are you willing to break up with her over it?
Dave: Well, not really. She's a great person!
Sam: Then maybe you should just let sleeping dogs lie.
Dave: Yeah, you may be right.

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "Let sleeping dogs lie"? The correct answer is in the first comment below.
   A. Your boss scolded you last week; you want to go to him and explain yourself.
   B. Your friend wants to start a rock and roll band, and asks you to join.
   C. Your brother broke his friend's bike and offers to pay for it.

"Don't cry over spilled milk"

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 6 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: Don't cry over spilled milk.

• Some people say, "There's no use crying over spilled milk."

Meaning: One shouldn't waste time being sorry about things that have happened in the past.

• Once milk is spilled, there's no getting it back. We can also say "you can't unring a bell," or "there's no use closing the barn door after the horse is gone" to express the same idea.
  NOTE: It's best if we only use this for fairly small things, not life-changing disasters.

Mini-Dialogue: Jonas sees his friend Kimberly sitting by herself in the school quad.

Jonas: Hi, Kim. What's wrong?
Kimberly: Oh, I just found out I failed the final exam, and I have to repeat the class.
Jonas: That's too bad... Well, cheer up! You know, there's no use crying over spilled milk. You'll just have to do better next time.
Kimberly: I hear that!

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "Don't cry over spilled milk"? The correct answer is in the first comment below.
   A. Your friend tells you she just got accepted to medical school.
   B. Your cousin tells you her mother (your aunt) just died.
   C. Your friend tells you he dropped a $10 somewhere and can't find it.

"Look before you leap"

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 5 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: Look before you leap.

• Samuel Butler phrased it like this in his Hudibras (1684):
  ...look before you ere you leap ["ere" means "before"]
  For, as you sow, you're like to reap.

Meaning: Before you act on a decision, always be prepared for what might happen.

Mini-Dialogue: Jean sees her friend Roy reading some brochures in a coffee shop.

Jean: Hi, Roy. What are you doing?
Roy: I'm thinking about buying a house.
Jean: Well, that's a big commitment. Just look before you leap!

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "Look before you leap"? The correct answer is in the first comment below.
   A. A friend says he's thinking about getting married.
   B. A friend says he got married last week.
   C. A friend says he's never getting married.

"If the shoe fits, wear it"

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 4 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: "If the shoe fits, wear it."

• Sometimes we say only half of the proverb: "If the shoe fits..."

Meaning: Accept things the way they are. If you did something wrong, take the blame!

• Some people think the expression may be related to the story of Cinderella, who lost a glass slipper at the Prince's ball, and became Princess when it was discovered that the "shoe fit." However, the original expression was, "If the cap fits…" and it has been suggested this was the dunce cap worn by poor students long ago.

Mini-Dialogue:

Eddie: Christina just called me fat!
Flo: I'm not saying I agree, but if the shoe fits...!

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "If the shoe fits, wear it"?
   A. Your friend says he's been working hard and someone calls him lazy.
   B. Your friend says his room is always clean and someone calls him a pig.
   C. Your friend says he's failed all of his tests and someone calls him dumb.

"Half a loaf is better than none"

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 3 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: "Half a loaf is better than none."

• "Loaf" is the standard counting word for bread.

Meaning: If you can't get everything you want, it's better to get something rather than nothing. Be happy with what you get.

• The "thing" you get doesn't have to be exactly half of what you wanted; getting a small raise at work instead of a big raise is still better than getting no raise!

Mini-Dialogue: Charlotte sees her friend Doug, and he looks unhappy.

Charlotte: Hey, Doug. Why so blue?
Doug: Well, I was hoping for full scholarship to university, but I just found out they only gave me 60%.
Charlotte: That's too bad. But hey, cheer up! "Half a loaf is better than none."
Doug: Yeah, I guess...

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "Half a loaf is better than none"? The correct answer is in the first comment below.
   A. You asked for a bicycle for Christmas; your sister got one, but you didn't.
   B. You asked for a loan of $1,000 at the bank, but they only approved $750.
   C. You tried to turn on your computer to do some homework, but it wouldn't start.

"Give the devil his due."

Proverb: Give the devil his due.

Meaning: Sometimes another person--especially one we don't like--does something well, and we don't want to admit it. When we do admit it, we are "giving the devil his due."

Mini-Dialogue:

Patrick: Oh, no! Michael got a higher score on the test than I did! 

Miriam: Patrick, no offense, but Michael studies a lot harder than you do. 

Patrick: Yeah, I have to give the devil his due. He really cracks the books!

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "Give the devil his due"? Correct answer is in the first comment below.

A. Your best friend, with really good grades, gets admitted to a good college.

B. Your hard-working but mean older brother gets a promotion at work.

C. Your favorite cousin, a really nice guy, gets engaged to a beauty queen.

"The early bird gets the worm."

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 2 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: The early bird gets the worm.

• You can also say, "The early bird catches the worm."

Meaning: The one who is prepared--or who gets there first--is more likely to succeed.

• These days, people like to make a joke about this: "The early bird may catch the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!"

Mini-Dialogue: Mario sees his friend Melissa waiting at the campus ticket office pn the morning tickets for a concert go on sale...

Mario: Hi, Melissa. Why are you already in line? The ticket office isn't even open yet!
Melissa: Well, like our teacher always tells us, "The early bird gets the worm."
Mario: Good luck! I hope you get what you came for.

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QUESTION:

Which situation illustrates the proverb, "The early bird gets the worm"? Answer is in the first comment below.

A. getting to the bakery before other customers, while the bread is still hot
B. waiting until the day of the deadline to send in an application
C. leaving home with just enough time to reach your destination