Proverbs store the wisdom of ages in short, memorable lines with several layers of meaning. This blog states a weekly proverb and explores its meaning. Sir Winston Churchill, the former British Prime Minister, war leader, writer, painter, historian, bon viveur, whose mother was a United States citizen, recommended that people lacking formal education to learn proverbs. "The Wisdom of Nations lies in their Proverbs... Collect and learn them". William Penn, founder of the State of Pennsylvania.
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Monday, May 29, 2006
A bad workman blames his tools
It is of course a fact that some people will blame their failings wherever they can and this saying has some validity, yet anyone who does practical work soon discovers the importance of good, well maintained tools. So a saying such as "a good workman is highly critical of the state of his tools and makes sure he has the best" would be quite appropriate! It could be that this saying was originated by disgruntled employers whose miserly nature meant their work people had to make do with rubbish equipment. A good workman with bad tools will struggle to do a good job; a bad workman will do a bad job even with good tools - and probably damage them in the process!
Interesting Insight. Here's a Sanskrit saying along the silimar lines.
ReplyDeleteअमन्त्रमक्षरं नास्ति
नास्ति मूलमनौषधम् ।
अयोग्यः पुरुषो नास्ति
योजकस्तत्र दुर्लभः ॥
There is no syllable that cannot be used in mantras.
There is no root that cannot be used in medicine.
There is no person who is useless.
But, the users capable of making effective use of these are rare.