A hedge between Keeps friendship green.
A hedge between Keeps friendship green.
Meaning in plain English
Clear boundaries can help a friendship remain healthy. Some separation in space, time or responsibilities may prevent small intrusions from becoming repeated resentment.
Example
Friends who live next door agree to message before coming over, preserving spontaneous visits without treating either home as permanently open.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The hedge separates neighbouring spaces while green suggests continuing life and health. The image proposes that closeness can be sustained by limits rather than by removing every distinction between people. Knowing what belongs to whom, when a visit is welcome or how a shared arrangement works can reduce friction. The proverb is not a command to build a physical barrier or make every friendship distant. Its point is that consideration includes respecting a boundary. A useful boundary is understood and proportionate, allowing connection while preventing assumptions that gradually make it uncomfortable.
When to use it
Use it when a clear limit would protect a friendly relationship from recurring intrusion.
Keep in mind
Boundaries should support respectful connection, not become a pretext for hostility or refusing all reasonable cooperation.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-03. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 774 · Hedge
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗
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