As the twig bends so bends the tree

Posted by Victoria S Dennis on July 04, 2009 at 22:59

In Reply to: As the twig bends so bends the tree posted by Steven Robles on July 04, 2009 at 22:13:

: Does anyone know the derivation of the phrase "as the twig bends so bends the tree"?

It's just an old proverb.The idea has been expressed in various ways for nearly five hundred years. E.g. in 1530: "A man may bend a wande while it is grene & make it straight though it be ne'er so crooked", and Alexander Pope in 1732: "'Tis Education forms the common mind, Just as the Twig is bent the Tree's inclined". (VSD)

• As the twig is bent so grows the tree. Smokey Stover 07/July/09
• As the twig bends so bends the tree As the twig is bent, so bends the tree. 07/July/09