Words worth understanding
Start with the thought in plain English. Then explore the imagery, a practical example, when to use it, and what the saying does not mean.
4,000 entries with editorial explanations. The wider collection also contains entries still awaiting an individual interpretation.
proverb · Traditional
Appreciating what is sufficient can make ordinary life feel abundant. The continual feast pictures ongoing satisfaction, without requiring someone to accept deprivation, injustice or unmet needs as though they were adequate.
Read the explanation and example ↗proverb · Traditional (French-language collection)
Someone who refuses to use or share anything can experience possessions as perpetual scarcity. The saying criticises miserliness rather than people who lack resources.
Read the explanation and example ↗proverb · Traditional (French-language collection)
Relief from a troubling burden can be a worthwhile gain even without acquiring money or possessions. The proverb asks readers to recognise the value of what no longer weighs on them.
Read the explanation and example ↗proverb · Traditional
The saying gives enough to the person who is content. It links a sense of sufficiency with satisfaction rather than a fixed quantity.
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Having enough without depending on borrowing or flattering others can feel freeing. The saying values reduced dependence, without implying that needing help makes someone less worthy or less capable of contentment.
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A worthwhile result can still contain minor imperfections. The harvest and thistles suggest appreciating substantial success without letting small defects eclipse it, while leaving room to address defects that genuinely matter.
Read the explanation and example ↗proverb · Traditional (Spanish-language collection)
Practical comfort can matter more than other people’s laughter. The speaker chooses warmth over approval, while leaving open whether the criticism concerns harmless appearance or something that needs attention.
Read the explanation and example ↗proverb · Traditional (Spanish-language collection)
The scale of a provision can fit the need it serves. The little bird and nest invite proportionate choices, without requiring small ambitions or accepting inadequate shelter and resources.
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Being satisfied with enough can offer a kind of richness that possessions alone do not provide. The proverb values contentment without claiming that deprivation is desirable or that material needs do not matter.
Read the explanation and example ↗proverb · Traditional (French-language collection)
The open fields represent room to move beyond confinement. The saying values the relief and possibility of having space to act rather than remaining enclosed.
Read the explanation and example ↗proverb · Traditional (French-language collection)
Enough should be assessed against an actual need. A modest amount can be sufficient, even when comparison with larger amounts makes it look inadequate.
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