"A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words"

Saturday Proverb:

Proverb: "A picture is worth a thousand words"

Meaning: 

This is an English idiom. It refers to the idea that a complex idea can be conveyed with 

just a single still image or that an image of a subject conveys its meaning or essence more

effectively than a description does.

History / Interesting Fact:

One of the earliest known references to the expression is from a 1911 newspaper article in which newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane, speaking about journalism and publicity, says “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.”

"Keep Your Friends Close And Your Enemies Closer”

Saturday Proverb:

Proverb: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer”

Meaning: 

One should be on their toes and alert of their surroundings if malicious people are around, to ensure such people can't wreak havoc in one's life.

History / Interesting Fact:

In The Godfather Part II (1974) - written by Mario Puzo & Francis Ford Coppola: Michael Corleone said: "My father taught me many things here — he taught me in this room. He taught me — keep your friends close but your enemies closer."

"Fortune Favours The Brave"

Saturday Proverb:

Proverb: "Fortune favours the brave."

Meaning: 

People who bravely go after what they want are more successful than people who try to live safely.

History / Interesting Fact:

The Yorkshire Regiment:

Used as the motto for the British Army's Yorkshire Regiment.

The Yorkshire Regiment - regimental cap badge

"There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch."

Saturday Proverb:

Proverb: "There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Meaning:

Things that are offered for free always have a hidden cost.

History / Interesting Fact:

The "free lunch" refers to the once-common tradition of saloons in the United States providing a ”free” lunch to patrons who had purchased at least one drink. Many foods on offer were high in salt – for example: ham / cheese and salted crackers - so those who ate them ended up buying a lot of beer.

Rudyard Kipling in 1891 noted the following

...came upon a bar-room full of bad Salon pictures, in which men with hats on the backs of their heads were wolfing food from a counter. It was the institution of the "free lunch" I had struck. You paid for a drink and got as much as you wanted to eat. For something less than a rupee a day a man can feed himself sumptuously in San Francisco, even though he be a bankrupt. Remember this if ever you are stranded in these parts.

"You Reap What You Sow."

Saturday Proverb: 

Proverb: "You reap what you sow."

Meaning:

Your actions have consequences. When you do good things, good things happen to you. When you do bad things, bad things happen to you.

History / Interesting Fact:

The origin of this proverb is from the Bible: Galatians VI  - the King James Version

"The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil."

Saturday Proverb: 

Proverb: "The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil." 

Meaning:

People who complain the most will get what they want.

History / Interesting Fact:

The origin of this proverb is unknown however in its current form it is attributed to American humorist Josh Billings who is said to have popularised it in his poem "The Kicker" (c. 1870)

"When in Rome - do as the Romans."

Saturday Proverb:

Proverb: "When in Rome - do as the Romans."

Meaning: 

Act the way that the people around you are acting. This phrase might come in handy when you're travelling abroad notice that people do things differently than you're used to.

History / Interesting Fact:

Why did this proverb single out Rome and Roman values to be emulated? It simply turns out that it was all to do with the travel arrangements of a couple of early Christian saints.