User:Spannerjam/Left-overs

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Tier One[edit]

  • Every man thinks his own geefe swans.
    • Meaning: "This proverb imitates that an inbred Philauty runs through the whole Race of Flefh and Blood, and that Self-love is the mother of Vanity, Pride and Miftake. It turns a Man's Geefe into Swans, his Dunghill Poultry into Pheafants, and his Lambs into Venifon. It blinds the Underftanding, perverts the Judgment, depraves the Reafon of the otherwife moft modeft Diftinguishers of Truth and Falfity. It makes a man fo fondly conceited of himfelf, that he prefers his own Art for its Excellency, his own Skill for its Perfection, his own Compifitions for their Wit, and his own Productions for their beauty. It makes even his Vices feem to him Virtues, and his Deformities Beauties; for fo every Crow thinks her own Bird faireft, though never fo black and ugly."
    • Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [1]
  • Suum cuique Pulchrum.
    • Translation: To each its own is beautiful.
    • English equivalent: The bird loves her own nest. (Spanish, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Latin)
    • Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [2]

Tier Two[edit]

    • Meaning: "There are a Set of People in the World of fo unfettled and reftleis a Temper, and such Admirers of Novelty, that they can never be long pleafed with one way of’ living, no more than to continue long in one Habitation; but before they are well enter’d upon one Bufinefs, dip into another, and before they are well fettled in one Habitation, remove to another; fo that they are always bufily beginning to live, but by reafon of Ficklenefs and Impatience, never arrive at a way of living: fuch Perfons fall under the Doom of this Proverb, which is delign’d to fix the Volatility of their Tempers, by laying before them the ill Confequences of fuch Ficklenefs and Inconltancy."
    • Source for meaning: Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [3]

Tier Three[edit]

    • Meaning: "All the falfe as well as fooliih Conclufions, Afrom a particular to an univerfal Truth, fall under the Cenfure of this Proverb. It teaches, that as he that guefies at the Courfe of the Year by the Flight of one fingle Bird, is very liable to be mifiaken in his Conjeéture; fo alfo a Man cannot be denominated Rich from one fingle Piece of Money in his Pocket, nor accounted univerfally good from the Practice of one fingle Virtue, nor temperate: becaufe he is flout, nor liberal becaufe he is exactly juft: that one Day cannot render a Man completely happy in point of Time, nor one Action confummate his Glory in Point of Valour. In fhort, the Moral of it is, That the right way of Judging of Things, beyond Impofition and Fallacy, is not from Particulars, but Univerfals."
    • Source for meaning: Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [4]

Tier Four[edit]

    • English equivalent: He sets the fox to keep his geefe.
    • Meaning: "This Proverb reflects upon the ill Conduct of Men in the Management of their Affairs, by intrufting either Sharpers with their Money, Blabs with their Secrets, or Enemies or Informer: with their Lives: For no Obligation can bind againft Nature: A Fox will love a Goofe ftill, though his Skin be ftript over his Ears for it; and a Common Cheat will always follow his old Trade of tricking his Friend, in fpite of all Promifes and Principle: of Honour, Honefty, and good Faith."
    • Source for meaning: Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [5]

Tier Five[edit]

    • English equivalent: A shoemaker must not go beyond his laft.
    • Meaning: "The moral Instruction of this Proverb, is, That Perfons, though skilful in their own Art, ought not meddle or make with Things out of their own Sphere, and not prefume to correct or amend what they do not underftand. The Proverb is only the Latin Ne futor ultra crepidam, in an Englifh Drefs; and firft took its Authority from a Story of the celebrated Painter Apelles, who having drawn a famous Piece, and expof’d it to publick View, a Cobler came by and found Fault with it, becaufe he made too few Latcbets to the Golofhoes: Apelles mends it accordingly, and fets it out again, and the next Day the Cobler coming again, finds Fault with the whole Leg; upon which Apelles comes out, faying, Cobler, go Home and keep to your Laft."
    • Source for meaning: Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [6]

Tier Six[edit]

    • English equivalent: To cut large thongs out of another man's leather.
    • Meaning: "This Proverb is not only levelled at a Cutter to a Shoemaker, who does not contrive and cut out his Mafter’s Leather to the beft Advantage; but it aims at all thofe Perfons, who, niggardly to an Excefs of their own, would Fain gain the Charaéter of Generous or Charitable at other People’s Expences, and fo are very liberal of other People's Pockets to fave their own, either in Donations of Amity or Aims."
    • Source for meaning: Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [7]

Tier Seven[edit]

  • The younger brother the better gentleman.
    • Meaning: "The Elder Brother of a Houfe depending on his Efiate, is either indulged by Parents, or gives up himfelf to an indolent Humour, that his Soul in his Body, like a Sword in the Scabbard, rufis for want of life, thinking‘ his Efiate fuflicient to gentilize him, if he have but only the Accompliihment of a Fox-Hunter, or a Country Juftice; the Younger Brother being put to his fhifts, having no Inheritance to depend upon, by plying his Studies hard at Home, and accompliihing himfelf by Travels Abroad, oftentimes, either by Arts or Arms, raifes himfelf to a confpicuous pitch of Honour, and fo becomes much the better Gentleman."
    • Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [8]

Tier Eight[edit]

    • "The Lark is a lofty Bird, and foars perhaps as high as any of the Inhabitants of the airy Regions; and if there be no other way of coming at them, till the Sky falling down on their Heads beats them down into our Hands, we shall be little the better for ’em. This Proverb is ufually apply’d to Such Perfons who buoy themfelves up with vain Hopes, but in Embryo, ill conceived ... to laft till their Accomplifhment." says Mr. Bailey. He somewhat unpedagogically remarks that "A lark is better than a kite" for "a little which is good, is better than a great deal of that which is good for nothing."
    • Divers Proverbs with Their Explication & Illustration, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [9]

How to gain friends and influence people[edit]

−

− −

  • People are not interested in you. They are not interested in me. They are interested in themselves - morning,noon and after dinner.

−

−

  • Principle 2 - Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're wrong."

− − − • Principle 1 Don't criticize, condemn or complain.

− • Principle 4 Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.

−

  • Principle 5 The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.

− • Principle 6 Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.

− • Principle 9 - Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas anddesires.

− "To save face."

− − Wouldn't you like to have a magic phrase that would stop

− arguments, eliminate ill feeling, crea

− te good will, and make the other

− person listen attentively?

− Yes? All right. Here it is: "I don'

− t blame you one iota for feeling as

− you do. If I were you I would undoubtedly feel just as you do."

− − Three-fourths of the people you will ever meet are hungering and

− thirsting for sympathy. Give it to them, and they will love you.

Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order[edit]

    • Meaning: "It is as impossible that a system radically erroneous, once commenced, should end well, as it is that a mathematical problem, commenced wrong, should come out right."
    • Source for meaning: William Henry Porter (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 202. 
    • Meaning: "No one needs to be told that a vast deal of labor is expended unnecessarily. This is occasioned, to a great extent, by the neglect of seasonable repairs. To prevent it is the part of wisdom and forethought."
    • Source for meaning:Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 13. 
    • Meaning: "Prosperity is called the just scale, but adversity the only balance, to weigh friends in. A false friend may flatter you, and court your favor in prsoperity, but he will flee from you in adversity. [...] One good friend is better than a thousand poor ones."
    • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 22. 
    • Meaning: "We should never use an old tool when the extra labor in consequence costs more than a new one. Thousands wear out their lives and waste their time merely by the use of dull and unsuitable instruments."
    • Alternate meaning: "We often apply it to exchanges among servants, clerks, or any persons employed, whose service, at first, in any new place, is very good, both efficient and faithful; but very soon, when all the new circumstances have lost their novelty, and all their curiosity has ceased, they naturally fall into their former and habitual slackness."
    • Source for meaning: Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 38. 
    • Meaning: "It is better to make some confession, or pay a little deference to others, our neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and especially our superiors, rather than lose our credit or break friendship."
    • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 46. 
    • Meaning: "If we neglect objects of charity at home, or within the circle of our immediate acquaintance, to extend our good deeds to those abroad, our sincerity, our motives, and our character, are suspected, and there is ground of suspicion. For it is in the order of nature to relieve, first, by our liberality and benefactions, those connected with us, - our families, and immediate neighborhood."
    • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 51. 
    • "Trial ... often exhibits truly wonderful results." and if you fail it might not have been in vain since "truth will sooner come out from error than from confusion" as Francis Bacon says.
    • William Henry Porter (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 202. 
    • Meaning: "Sustained by truth, man becomes a most sublime spectacle. At this altar his whole immortal nature can impartially bow, eternally to adore. Here is the foundation of all true eloquence and dignity - the conscience untrammeled gives boldness and majesty, and the whole soul rises to the glorious height of its own nobility."
    • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 194. 
  • Second meaning: Reality is always the best beginning. Within reality is the possibility of our own personal miracle. The power of faith starts with reality. If we can bring ourselves to state the truth about ourselves and our circumstances, then the truth will set us free. Once we finally understand and accept the truth, the promise of the future is then freed from the shackles of deception, which held it in bondage.
    • Meaning: "The comparative states of the disciplined and undisciplined characters are readily discovered, by the comparative effects which ordinary providences exert upon them. The former will evince a sense of dependence, and the principle of gratitude, in seasons of prosperity; and still trust, maintaining the same uniform principle of obedience during the alternate periods of adversity. But the other is elated with the feeling of vanity and the swelling sensation of pride, as soon as any prosperous gales waft over him; and when adversity approaches, in return, there is a corresponding depression of spirit, and the world seems only a frown upon him. Such are the characters in contrast."
    • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 90. 
    • Meaning: "And so with respect to gifts and donations in general, whether their value be more or less, they should be accounted tokens of kindness and received with promptness and cordiality."
    • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 127. 
    • English equivalent: Too many cooks spoil the broth.
    • Meaning: "You may apply this truth to any province; for instance, the literary profession. If several authors attempt in unison to compose a written treatise upon any subject, there cannot be that natural connection and unity so essential to any production of merit. It will not suit any good taste, will prove unpopular, will lose its designed effect. Thus it is injudicious for many to meddle with any one task, which can be accomplished as well and better by a single individual. Though each may be good in his trade or profession, they are not generally so inclined to agree together, from their different tastes and modes of accomplishment; whence the common saying, 'No enemies so great, as those of the same craft'"
    • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 173. 
  • Where no fuel is, the fire goeth out.
    • Meaning: "[This proverb refers to the] ease and facility of executing that which we love to do, - that which is congenial to our taste, and approved by our judgment."
    • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 202. 
  • El tiempo y la marea no esperan al rey.
    • English equivalent: Time and tide wait for no man.
    • Meaning: "Take, for illustration, the case of the negligent and unreflecting man. He resolves to accomplish a certain important object at some future period; but in the intervening time, some preparatory, though in itself comparatively trifling business, is indispensable. He defers this business; [...] At length the period for accomplishing the ultimate object arrives: but, alas! the prerequisite, so absolutely connected and essential, is neglected And then, vain man!"
    • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 169. 
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1743". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. II. Routledge. p. 1210. ISBN 978-0-203-00905-5. 
    • Meaning: "Actions may be, and indeed sometimes are deceptive in a measure though not as much so as words; and accordingly are received in general as more full and satisfactory proofs of the real disposition and character of persons than verbal expressions."
    • Source for meaning:Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 10. 
    • Meaning: "In private animosities and verbal contentions, where angry passions are apt to rise, and irritating, if not profane expressions are often made use of, as we sometimes see to be the case, not only among neighbors, but in families, between husbands and wives, or parents and children, or the children themselves and other members of the household, - the least said, the better in general. By multiplying words, cases often grow worse instead of better."
    • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. pp. 125. 
    • Meaning: "He that sows bountifully, also reaps bountifully. [...] Open then mouth wide, and it shall be filled; lay broad and firm your foundation for a noble and permanent superstructure; raise high your standard of excellence, if you would make high and worthy attainments. And do what you attempt to do, well."
    • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 163. 
    • Meaning: "It is a fact worthy of remark, that when a set of men agree in any particulars, though never so trivial, they flock together, and often establish themselves into a kind of fraternity for contriving and carrying into effect their plans. According to their distinct character they club together, factious with factious, wise with wise, indolent with indolent, active with active et cetera."
    • Source for meaning: Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 41. 
    • "The taste, not the looks, must constitute the criterion. It may be like, many other things, beautiful externally but within devoid of every excellence. Perhaps no sense is more decisive or correct in judgment, than the perception of taste."
    • William Henry Porter (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 176. 

Shakespeare[edit]

  • He that hath a beard is more than a youth; and he that hath no beard is less than a man.
  • This story shall the good man teach his son;
    And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
    From this day to the ending of the world,
    But we in it shall be remembered,
    We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
    For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
    Shall be my brother

The Adviser[edit]

If day by day I seek God's help And try to please him more Then if this new year's end I see Surely a happier girl I ll be Than any year before

The Art of War[edit]

I. Laying Plans
7.According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans.  20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.

III. Attack by Stratagem 3.Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.
17. Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. (2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. (3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. (5) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.
18. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

III. Tactical Dispositions 2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive.
11. What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
12. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage.
13. He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

V. Energy 19. Thus one who is skillful at keeping the enemy on the move maintains deceitful appearances, according to which the enemy will act. He sacrifices something, that the enemy may snatch at it.
21. The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy.

V1. Weak Points and Strong 1. Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
7. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.
8. Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
13. By discovering the enemy's dispositions and remaining invisible ourselves, we can keep our forces concentrated, while the enemy's must be divided.
25. In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them; conceal your dispositions, and you will be safe from the prying of the subtlest spies, from the machinations of the wisest brains.
27. All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
28. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.
30. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.
31. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

VIII. Variation in Tactics 2. When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In desperate position, you must fight.
9. If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.
'17. If in the neighborhood of your camp there should be any hilly country, ponds surrounded by aquatic grass, hollow basins filled with reeds, or woods with thick undergrowth, they must be carefully routed out and searched; for these are places where men in ambush or insidious spies are likely to be lurking.
19. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance.
41. He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

XI. The Nine Situations 19. Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.
29. The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the ChUng mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.
45. When you have the enemy's strongholds on your rear, and narrow passes in front, it is hemmed-in ground. When there is no place of refuge at all, it is desperate ground.

XIII. The Use of Spies

Word list[edit]

  • Affect.

Proverbs[edit]

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