My previous post pitted one proverb against another, which prompted me to continue with a few more.  Amazingly, despite their compacted wisdom, so many proverbs render contrary advise. Consider further:

When away from a loved one, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” offers solace; but “Out of Sight; Out of Mind,” evokes fear. Surely, some military personnel in remote locations may bond closer to their loved ones, as through exchange of love letters; but the notorious “Dear John” letters often arrive like a meat cleaver from an impatient love, indubitably as a result of being apart for too long. Though not a proverb, the well-known song from the musical “Finian’s Rainbow”, popularized by Frank Sinatra: “When I am not near the girl I love; I love the girl I’m near,” suggests that a middle ground may exist between the two.

“Knowledge is power” teeters against “Ignorance is bliss,” so which is it? Of the two, I much prefer the former, and strive to avoid being kept in the dark, despite the promised bliss. If one had to choose between the states of knowledge or ignorance, knowledge would prevail, of course, for few people wish to remain ignorant, though they may fail to do what is needed to obtain knowledge.

The proverb “Knowledge is power,” may be bolstered by “Two heads are better than one,” which does not mean “The more the merrier.” The latter raises frivolity rather than serious thought. But whenever two or more heads get together, stark reality sinks in: “If you want something done right, do it yourself.”

To be sure, when confronted with physical exertion, we all agree that “Many hands make light work.” But despite all the help, we must keep the task at hand in mind, for “Too many cooks spoil the broth.”

As a writer, I believe that “The pen is mightier than the sword,” and not just because I prefer writing to fighting. A fighter’s motto, however, may be the obverse: “Actions speak louder than words.” In other words, a slap upside a writer’s head does command attention. Amen.