Proverbial Contrasts

Every coin has two sides. In this article the author explores the contradictions in proverbs…

- Vidhya Sanjay

I  find English to be such a funny language. I say this because the way we say a word or sound the word (pronunciation) is different from the way we spell it. Also, so many proverbs which are considered as wisdom packed in a capsule contradict each other. As a child, it used to be very confusing for me to read these proverbs and understand their meaning. But as I mature in life, I ask myself – “Do they really contradict each other? Or are we missing reading between the lines?” Let's explore a few of them.

Proverb: Life is what we make it.

Contrasting Proverb: What will be, will be.

Our life is the total of all the choices we execute for ourselves. So, along with our God, we are the coauthor of our own destiny. While, we understand that we make our choices, we have little or no control over the consequences that are handed over to us. So, that's why the contrasting proverb says, 'what will be, will be'. Life is a brutal/beautiful series of making choices, accepting the consequences and further making counter choices.

Proverb: Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

Contrasting Proverb: Don't cross the bridge until you come to it.