As the twig is bent, so grows the tree
Meaning: Early experiences and upbringing shape a person's lifelong character and habits.
Origin: Popularized by Alexander Pope's Moral Essays (1732), with roots in ancient Greek thought.
Translations
- French: Tel l'arbuste est plié, tel grandit l'arbre (literally: As the sapling is bent, so grows the tree)
- Spanish: Como se dobla la ramita, así crece el árbol (literally: As the twig is bent, so the tree grows)
- Japanese: 若木が曲げられる方向に木は育つ (Wakagi ga magerareru hōkō ni ki wa sodatsu) (literally: A tree grows in the direction the young plant was bent)
More proverbs about Human Nature
- If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together — Short-term speed comes from solitude; long-term achievement comes from collaboration.
- A bad workman always blames his tools — Incompetent people blame external factors for their failures instead of taking responsibi…
- Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow — Happiness multiplies and burdens lighten when shared with others.
- A hungry stomach has no ears — People cannot focus on anything else when their most basic needs are unmet.
- The fish sees the bait but not the hook — People are often tempted by apparent benefits while ignoring the hidden dangers.
- What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over — We only suffer from what we know about; ignorance can sometimes bring a measure of peace.
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