As the twig is bent the tree's inclined.
Meaning: Early influence shapes lifelong character; childhood experiences determine adult disposition.
Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.
More proverbs about Wisdom
- Let the best dog leap the stile first. — Merit should determine priority; the most capable should lead the way.
- The better the day, the better the deed. — Good fortune amplifies moral responsibility—prosperity demands virtue, not vice.
- Every bird must hatch her own egg. — Each creature bears sole responsibility for nurturing what they themselves have created o…
- One beats the bush and another catcheth the bird. — One person's labor enables another's gain, rewarding the opportunist over the worker.
- Even small birds must have meat. — The poorest among us require sustenance and dignity, not merely scraps or leftovers.
- He that bites on every weed must needs light on poison. — Indiscriminately sampling everything you encounter will eventually expose you to somethin…
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