Contradictory Proverbs (Paradoxical Proverbs)

Proverbs- are short well-known sayings

Utimately, we oftenly do not know which proverb should we believe or which proverb should we reject.

These are called Contradictory Proverbs (More Accurately Paradoxical Proverbs)

However, These proverbs can apply to one situation while the other cannot, so it is really dependable for each situation. We cannot reject them completely.

These are samples of paradoxical proverbs:

All good things come to those who wait. VS. Time and tide wait for no man.

The pen is mightier than the sword. VS Actions speak louder than words.

Wise men think alike. VS Fools seldom differ.

The best things in life are free things.. VS There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Slow and steady wins the race. VS Time waits for no man.

Look before you leap. VS Strike while the iron is hot.

Do it well, or not at all. VS Half a loaf is better than none.

Birds of a feather flock together. VS Opposites attract.

Don't cross your bridges before you come to them. VS Forewarned is forearmed.

Doubt is the beginning of wisdom. VS Faith will move mountains.

Great starts make great finishes. VS It ain't over 'till it's over.

Practice makes perfect. VS All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Silence is golden. VS The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

You're never too old to learn. VS You can't teach an old dog new tricks

What's good for the goose is good for the gander. VS One man's food is another man's poison.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. VS Out of sight, out of mind.

Too many cooks spoil the broth. VS Many hands make light work.

Hold fast to the words of your ancestors. VS Wise men make proverbs and fools repeat them.

These contradictions and paradoxes inhibits the casual sense of philosophical moderation as proposed by Aristotle.

Example:
The pen is mightier than the sword. (Jose Rizal's Books against the Spanish Colony)
VS
Actions speak louder than words. (Theatrical technique of Stage acting)

This is one example where 2 proverbs really does contradict. Remember, If you apply one proverb and reject the other, that proverb applies to that situation and the other proverb does not.

There are also proverbs that can create confusion and conflict among the believers.

Look before you leap. (Analyze before applying)
VS
Strike while the iron is hot. (Take the risk without minding the consequences)

Now, this is an example of a proverb that creates a certain conflict. Here is a situation that either of these 2 proverbs can be applied.

"There was a 10 year-old curious boy named Lando, who was quite curious at everything. He was walking at Central Park with a beagle on his right side. His beagle spotted a plastic bag full of Metamphetamine. The beagle barked at Lando, for him to check out the plastic bag. He is curious at the plastic bag. What should Lando do? Should he take it and experiment with it (Strike while the iron is hot)? Or should he think about the consequences (Look before you leap)?"

If he wants to be wise, he should think about the consequences. The consequences of not picking the plastic bag up are:
1. Lando will not be affected by the Illegal drug Scandal
2. Lando will know the morality.

If he wants to be curious, he will pick the plastic bag up and start sniffing it and selling it to other people.
The results are:
1. Lando will end up in prison
2. Lando will be a social deviant
3. Lando will not be himself as he was before he took the plastic bag.

So, therefore, he should choose "Look before you leap" proverb. Other proverbs like "Curiosity kills" and "Little knowledge is dangerous" can definitely be applied and they are indirectly contradictory to "Strike while the iron is hot" proverb.

If you want to go to the basics of Proverbs, here is the site: http://www.syvum.com/proverbs/students.html

Ciao!