ProverbMorality
English origin1772
English origin1772Waste not, want not
Meaning: Using things carefully and avoiding waste prevents future need and scarcity.
Origin: First recorded in 1772, and made familiar by Maria Edgeworth's moral tale for children "Waste Not, Want Not," added to The Parent's Assistant in 1800. In it two cousins, careful Benjamin and wasteful Hal, are given parcels tied with string: Benjamin saves his, Hal cuts his and throws it away — with results the story makes plain. An older, sterner version runs "Wilful waste makes woeful want."
Equivalents in Spanish, German, Italian, and Dutch
Spanish: Quien guarda, halla (literally: Whoever keeps, finds)
German: Spare in der Zeit, so hast du in der Not (literally: Save in good times, and you will have in time of need)
Italian: Il risparmio è il miglior guadagno (literally: Saving is the best earning)
Dutch: Die wat spaart, die wat heeft (literally: Whoever saves something has something)
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