Published on 12:00 AM, September 03, 2015

Proverbs that contradict each other

There is a proverb for every occasion; that may be why proverbial wisdom is so contradictory itself. It seems so obvious to me now and I can hardly fathom how I didn't see it before. So, I have lined up 11 contradictory proverbs and have put together an in-depth understanding of them in my utmost straight forward language.

1.     Absence makes the heart grow fonder / Out of sight, out of mind:
Your ex-lover will pine, or play the field.

2.     Good things come to those who wait / Time and tide wait for no man:
So hurry up and wait?

3.     Love makes the world go around / When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out of the window:
Make the most out of life with your beloved but in case you're broke, dump 'em.

4.     Morning shows the day / All's well that ends well:
When you think not being a morning person won't matter because the evening person is the only one people will notice. But then its evening and they complain about you being a bad morning person and it turns out you're just a horrible person in general.

5.     The face is the mirror of the mind / Don't judge a book by its cover:
So, don't be quick to judge someone unless you've made sure they're pretty to look at.

6.     A miss is as good as a mile / Something is better than nothing:
The only time I had a friend was Eugene the Rock; some would say he was a 'Kana Mama'/'Dushto Goru' but at least he was a mama/goru. I was confused whether I was supposed to keep him or get rid of him and these decisions are hard, you know.

7.     Great minds think alike / Fools seldom differ:
Agreeing with others is a sign of incredible intellect, or stupidity. Maybe both? I don't know.

8.     Look before you leap / He who hesitates is lost:
My friend once tried to ask out his crush. But he wasn't sure of the outcome: “Should I take a risk? Should I have some plan in action?” Basically, he was left hanging between two
cruelly supposed advisable jokes so he went back to admiring her from afar and reading manga.

9.     Money is the root of all evil / Money makes the world go around:
Take note, kids: money is both very detrimental and constructive, which is why I am not going to pay you any allowance.

I have found a loop hole to escape my potential children's wrath.

10.     Actions speak louder than words / The pen is mightier than the sword:
Well, writing is hard. So is stabbing people with it. Leave me alone.

11.     Hold fast to the words of your ancestors / Wise men make proverbs but fools repeat them:
This article is a joke. My life is a joke. Your life is a joke. This world is a joke.

When a proverb is offered as an explanation, heads nod in acceptance without demanding any further discussion. However, when an exact opposite event occurs, a completely contradictory proverb resurfaces, heads nod in acceptance yet again without a second look into it. Seriously, classic sayings. Get it together. 

Maisha Maliha speaks what crosses her mind in the most positive way but is often misinterpreted and thought to be a lunatic. Unfollow her at www.facebook.com/MyshoeMaliha