I grew up on old sayings. My parents and grandmother used them frequently. And they meant something. You’ve heard me say in several of my other blogs that I loved many of Ma Ingalls sayings in The Little House On The Prairie books.
Here are a few old sayings:
- Actions speak louder than words
- Better late than never
- Easy come, easy go
- Beggars can’t be choosers
- Better safe than sorry
- No guts, no glory
- If you snooze, you lose
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder
- Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater
- People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones
- There’s no great loss without some small gain
AND
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!
If you look this saying up, you will find it attributed to several different people. I think that’s because it works in so many different settings, and people have used it many times over the years. One site says that Robert the Bruce, king of Scotland, said it to his troops. Another claims W.C. Fields said it.
It’s a great quote to use.
I actually used it recently. I jumped right in and painted my dining room table last Thursday. I just wanted to get it done and get that off my plate.
Before
After
And it didn’t look right. The top was too light a color to fit in with the dark hutch and buffet.
So—if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
I went back to Lowes this morning for more paint. This shade is called nutbrown. And I am happy with it.
After working for 10 minutes to get this picture to upload, another saying popped into my head— “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” (Oh my! Who made up that one? Poor cat. 😉)
It needs a few more coats of paint and then several coats of Polycrylic. (Note the word cry in the middle. Which is what I always want to do when I’m trying to get all the bubbles out so it looks smooth and professional.)
Anyways— I’ve spent the day entertaining myself with sayings as I worked.
Here’s one that makes me want to work on a book I’ve been writing but haven’t been able to work on it for quite a while…
“Winners Never Quit & Quitters Never Win” — Vince Lombardi
And a great Bible quote — “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
Do you have a favorite saying that brings up funny images in your head or has a lot of meaning for you?
Great post, Jane. The table looks great. I like the wood color on top. We used to have a table like that. I live my life fighting the battle between “Better safe than sorry”, and “No guts no glory.” Almost always leaning toward safe.
Those are great quotes, Tim. And, it is very hard to decide when to use each one, and what to go for, in any given circumstance.
Thanks for the thoughts, Jane. So glad you found the right look for your table and chairs (you didn’t give up)!
Thanks, Joni. Sometimes I tend to settle due to thinking… I’m not happy with it but it’s good enough. I’m glad I changed it to what I really liked this time.