Conflicting Wisdom.

Posted by Bruce Taylor on May 11, 2005

In Reply to: Conflicting Wisdom. posted by Bruce Kahl on May 10, 2005

: : : : "Watch the pennies and the pounds take care of themselves". Could you explain the meaning?

: : : If you're careful over the small things in life, then the big things will come to succesful outcomes on their own. Sadly, not quite true, but a reasonable guide! The 'pounds' here are, of course 'pounds stirling' and not 'pounds weight'.

: : There is also an old expression "Don't be penny wise and pound foolish." which seems on first glance to read somewhat the opposite. I have often wondered if anyone has collected a list of these sayings that seem to be pairs of conflicting wisdom.

: Actions speak louder than words. The pen is mightier than the sword.

: Look before you leap. He who hesitates is lost.

: Many hands make light work. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

: A silent man is a wise one. A man without words is a man without thoughts.

: Beware of Greeks bearing gifts. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

: Clothes make the man. Don't judge a book by its cover.

: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Better safe than sorry.

: The bigger, the better. The best things come in small packages.

: Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Out of sight, out of mind.

: What will be, will be. Life is what you make it.

: Cross your bridges when you come to them. Forewarned is forearmed.

: What's good for the goose is good for the gander. One man's meat is another man's poison.

: With age comes wisdom. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings come all wise sayings.

: The more, the merrier. Two's company; three's a crowd

All the idioms contradicting each other just proves that the exception proves the rule

See: the meaning and origin of the phrase "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth".