D
Darkness conceals the hippopotamus.
Interpretation
Things that are not viewed with a broad and intricate sense hide many a hidden truth.
Comments
A judge probes deep before passing any judgement, because every case has some intricate detail buried in it. A broader and detailed view is essential. This implies that a mind that does not weigh an issue, dwells in the dark and cannot see major facts that are as big as a hippopotamus.
Origin
This proverb first emerged in the writings of Publilius Syrus (lst Century B.C.) with different wordings. Later Edmund Burke modified it to the present form in 1775.
Diligence is the mother of good fortune.
Interpretation
Hard work and ceaseless efforts paves the way to good result.
Comments
An excellent versicle from the great pen of Cervantes rules out luck, optimism and prayer too, but states that only relentless effort and hard work can lead to good results. Many great men have endorsed this view, after they became affluent and have openly stated that it was hard work that has elevated them in life.
Origin
W. Stephney's work, "Spanish Schoolmaster," in 1591 paves the way for this proverb. However, i was restated by Samuel Smiles in his work 'Thrift," in 1875.
Do not cut down the tree that gives you shade.
Interpretation
Never hurt or harm a do-gooder.
Comments
A tree is symbol of sacrifice that gives us shade, oxygen, cool breez, rain, etc. Thus, its immense use to all living things continues for many decades. The valu of trees near the seashore is manifested especially after the tsunami. Therefore, never harm a do-gooder, in any form.
Origin
This proverb was first recorded in 1711. Later, Edmund Burke, in his work "Thoughts and Details in Scarcity," in the year 1797 also stated it in a different version.
Do not insult the river God while crossing the river.
Interpretation
Never speak scornfully about a person you depend upon.
Comments
Some unfaithful children speak ill of their parents and teachers. Similarly, some employees pass sarcastic remarks about the organisation and their employers. Passing a derogatory comment will somehow reciprocate in the form of some harm in return.
Origin
A Hebrew proverb 'Never cast dirt into that fountain of which thou has some time drank' is now told thus with a twist.
Do not sigh, for you enemy will hear and rejoice.
Interpretation
Do not share your weaknesses and failures with anybody, especially your enemies.
Comments
Though one is friendly with others, there could be some who may secretly hate you for reasons like status, education, power, influence, wealth, etc. So, playing safe by not revealing one's failures or weaknesses, saves one from further downfall.
Origin
This proverb has a French origin way back in 1720 with variant wordings. It was used by Voltaire as well as by Napoleon in 1815.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Interpretation
Never do to others what you do not want them do to you.
Comments
To expect respect and good deeds from others is common. However, do we extend such courteous acts towards them? Very seldom! What you give is what you get! If you are respectful towards others, they will be respectful towards you. In other words behave with others, as you would have them behave with you.
Origin
Confucius (500 B.C.) taught it as a code of principle. And Mathew's biblical preaching also echoes it. A premier proverb practiced by all religions!
Don't change horses in mid-stream.
Interpretation
Analyse pros and cons, chalk out your actuin before commencing any job, to avoid changes midway.
Comments
Select a good horse before crossing the river. Trying to change it in mid-stream is dangerous, as both will be swept away in the river's current. Similarly, before commencing a job, have a clear vision and mission. Only forge ahead once all the loose ends are tied up, as an amendment half way can create problems.
Origin
A great saying by the noteworthy U.S.President Abraham Lincoln, in 1864, "I'm reminded of a story of an old Dutch farmer, who advised his counterpart that its not advisable to swap horses when crossing streams."
Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.
Interpretation
Resist your anger, else it will ruin you.
Comments
It is funny but true, that some people who get annoyed, like the man who hated his own face and hence cut off the nose from it, indulge in self-infliction. Cutting one's own nose to punish the face makes it more awkward. A corective action does not mean to inflict self-punishment.
Origin
Although traces show the proverbs existence in medieval Latin and the 14th Century French literature, it was first recorded in English in 1560 in "Deceit of Women."
Don't despise the nut, onr day it will be a palm tree.
Interpretation
Do not disregard a person on his face value.
Comments
There is an old saying that a drop of water makes a mighty ocean. Every person has some potential. However, small in size a person may be, with a little nurturing he has the might to grow into someone to reckon with.
Origin
This proverb was first recorded with slighty different words, in 1655, and Dickens in his "A Tale of Twin Cities" quoted the same in 1859.
Don't go near the water until you learn how to swim.
Interpretation
Do not invlove yourself in anything unless you have worked out a way on how to accomplish it.
Comments
Approaching a waterway without knowing how to swim is perilous, for one does not know how deep it runs. Likewise, it is better not to get involved in anything without knowing the intricacies in advance and not having a ready solution to overcome any perils that may arise.
Origin
The records show its emergency in the year 1855 in English in the form, "Never venture out of your depth till you can swim."
Don't jump high in a room with a low ceiling.
Interpretation
Acting within ones own limitations never hurt anyone.
Comments
Many disappointments that we encounter are attributed to our not realising the boundary of our limitations. High expectations, high-handedness, overacting and excessive actions always hit back. Before doing something one must analyse their own limitations to avoid any embarrassment arising from them.
Origin
Though this proverb has many different versions and variants, it obviously germinated from the seed sowed by Caxton's translated work in the year 1477.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Interpretation
Never kee all your savings in one place or all your investment in any one project.
Comments
The eggshell is so brittle that if too many eggs were kept in one basket even a small jerk would break them all. The egg here denotes one's savings. Keeping all your savings at one place is not wise for fear of theft, flood, fire, etc. Therefore, it is prudent to split them up and keep them separately.
Origin
First recorded in English in the 17th Century in Giovanni Torriano's work "A Common Place of Italian Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases." However, the grapevine has it that it was of Spanish or Italian origin.
Don't sell the fish that is still swimming in the ocean.
Interpretation
Never count anything until you take possession of it.
Comments
A plainly stated proverb, it cautions one not to jump to conclusions or build castles in the air. The fish one sees swimming in the ocean and is yet to be caught is something that one has not yet acquired and therefore cannot be claimed as one's own. Nothing is yours unless you own it!
Origin
Aesop's Fables paves the way for this proverbs origin in the 6th Century, that a woman vendor, carrying a basket of eggs daydreamed and dropped the eggs and in turn lost all her resources.