Birchen twigs break no ribs.
Meaning: Gentle correction in youth prevents greater harm than harsh punishment inflicts.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
More proverbs about Wisdom
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- Like carrying coals to Newcastle. — Supplying something to a place already abundant in it wastes effort and resources foolish…
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- Look to the main chance. — Prioritize opportunities that offer genuine benefit over distractions or minor advantages.
- Hasty climbers have sudden falls. — Rushing toward goals without careful planning or preparation invites disaster and setback.
- After clouds comes clear weather. — Difficult periods naturally pass, revealing better circumstances beyond temporary hardshi…
From our untranslatable words
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- Ma — The meaningful negative space between things — a deliberate pause in music, an empty room…