Look before you leap
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- Meaning
- The phrase "Look before you leap" metaphorically suggests that one should evaluate potential risks and understand the situation fully before acting. This proverb highlights the importance of foresight and caution to avoid pitfalls and hasty decisions that may lead to regret.
- Allegory
- The person at the cliff's edge symbolizes someone contemplating a significant decision, metaphorically standing before potential risks (the foggy abyss). The warning signs around the cliff represent the preparation and foresight advised by the proverb "Look before you leap." The rising sun in the background symbolizes enlightenment and the wisdom gained through cautiousness, emphasizing the positive outcomes of careful planning and consideration before taking action.
- Applicability
- This metaphorical advice can be applied in numerous everyday situations ranging from personal decisions like financial investments, career moves, or even when entering relationships. It encourages a culture of thoughtful decision making which can lead to more successful outcomes and decreased likelihood of negative consequences.
- Impact
- The phrase has had a significant impact on both individual decision-making processes and broader cultural attitudes towards planning and caution. It is frequently cited in educational contexts to teach and reinforce the value of strategic thinking and caution.
- Historical Context
- The exact origin date of this phrase is unclear, but it is rooted deeply in English literature and folklore. It has been echoed throughout various texts over the centuries, which exemplify the timeless wisdom that impulsive actions often lead to preventable mistakes.
- Criticisms
- While generally seen as wise, “Look before you leap” has also been critiqued for potentially discouraging risk-taking necessary for innovation and change. Critics argue that excessive caution can lead to missed opportunities and stagnation.
- Variations
- The interpretation of this proverb remains largely consistent across cultures, emphasizing a universal human understanding of the risks associated with impulsive actions. However, the emphasis on caution versus action may differ based on cultural attitudes towards risk and opportunity.
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Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
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An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
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The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
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Better safe than sorry.
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Strike while the iron is hot.
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Make hay while the sun shines.
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Caveat emptor.
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A stitch in time saves nine.
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Love all, trust a few, Do wrong to none: be able for thine enemy Rather in power than use; and keep thy friend Under thy own life's key: be check'd for silence, But never tax'd for speech.
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Time and tide wait for no man.
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When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.
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