I never cease being dumbfounded by the unbelievable things people believe.
Leo RostenRead
Proverbs often contradict one another, as any reader soon discovers. The sagacity that advises us to look before we leap promptly warns us that if we hesitate we are lost; that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but out of sight, out of mind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the contradictory nature of wisdom found in proverbs, showcasing the complexity of decision-making.
Leo Rosten's quote reflects on the inherent contradictions present in proverbs and wisdom, indicating that while one piece of advice may encourage caution and reflection, another may promote immediacy and action. This illustrates the nuanced nature of human decision-making, where the best course of action often depends on specific circumstances, leading to confusion and the need for discernment.
Themes
ProverbsWisdomDecision-MakingContradictionsHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about conflicting advice in a self-help seminar.
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All quotes βI came to believe it not true that "the coward dies a thousand deaths, the brave man only one." I think it is the other way around: It is the brave who die a thousand deaths. For it is imagination, and not just conscience, which doth make cowards of us all. Those who do not know fear are not truly brave.
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The fellow who laughs last may laugh best, but he gets the reputation of being very slow-witted.
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Happiness comes only when we push our brains and hearts to the farthest reaches of which we are capable.
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