This contribution arrived in March 2023.
Language is dynamic—adapting to conditions and contexts in which it finds itself. There is the joke of someone blowing into his hands to warm them up during the winter; and another, of someone blowing in his tea to cool it down for being so hot.
Analogously, certain proverbs may come across as contradictions of others, or worse, as offering conflicting wisdom. To illustrate, consider the expression “Go in the room and get a cup.” This will have different meanings depending on whether we are soccer tournament officials or are at a tea party, where one would be the soccer trophy, and the other would be a tea cup.
With that, let us look at these listed pairs of contradictory proverbs and their meanings:
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
Meaning: Don't give up too easily; persistence pays off in the end.
Don't beat a dead horse.
Meaning: Not to press on with an issue that has already ended.
The early bird gets the worm.
Meaning:The person who arrives first is the one who is successful.
The second mouse gets the cheese.
Meaning: But the second mouse gets the cheese because the first mouse got killed in the mousetrap and so you got rewarded for starting late or procrastinating.
Many hands make light work.
Meaning: A job becomes easier as more people help.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Meaning: Each of many cooks (especially in a leading role), adding something to a soup, which finally tastes awful.
You're never too old to learn.
Meaning: Whatever your age, you can still increase your knowledge.
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Meaning: People are often reluctant or unwilling to change old habits or long-held beliefs.
Ask no questions and hear no lies.
Meaning: The proverb is used to discourage an inquisitive person from asking questions
Ask and you shall receive.
Meaning: Promise of God in the Bible (not a proverb) wherein you ask and you shall receive anything you want; and that your request should align with God's will.
Variety is the spice of life.
Meaning: Life is more interesting when one tries new things to vary one's experiences
Don't change horses in midstream.
Meaning: In politics: to make major changes in an activity that has already begun; to choose someone or something else after it is too late.
Don't cross the bridge till you come to it.
Meaning: Don't worry about problems before they arrive.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Meaning: If you know about something which is going to happen in the future, you can be ready to deal with it.
Silence is golden.
Meaning: That words are important, but sometimes it is better to say nothing.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Meaning: The person who complains or protests the loudest attracts attention and service.
Clothes make the man.
Meaning: People are judged according to the way they are dressed.
Never judge a book by its cover
Meaning: You should not decide upon something (thing, not person) based just on outward appearances.
The best things come in small packages.
Meaning: The things that we value the most and find of the highest quality are small.
The bigger, the better.
Meaning: We would prefer it if something is bigger.
A miss is as good as a mile.
Meaning: Missing by a narrow margin has the same practical effect as missing by a wide one.
Half a loaf is better than none.
Meaning: It is better to take what you can get now, even if it is very little, than not getting at all.
Look before you leap.
Meaning: Think carefully before taking action.
He who hesitates is lost.
Meaning: A person who spends too much time deliberating about what to do loses the chance to act altogether.
The pen is mightier than the sword.
Meaning: Physical fighting is not as effective as more intellectual ways to solve a conflict.
Actions speak louder than words.
Meaning: People's actions show their real attitudes, rather than what they say.