The worth of a thing is best known by the want of it
It is only when we have been deprived of something that we appreciate the true value of it. One illustration of this is, of course, the other proverb: Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Proverbs starting with letter W
The worst wheel of the cart creaks most
The inefficient or lazy worker is the one who does all the complaining.
Worse things happen at sea
We say this in a resigned tone when we find ourselves in an awkward or difficult situation, or when we have to put up with something less than we expected. 'The butcher hasn't delivered the joint '... Read more →
The worse luck now, the better another time
Just as we are not always lucky, so we are not always unlucky. The colloquial phrase is: 'Better luck next time.'
Words cut more than swords
A sharp tongue wounds. This means the same as The tongue is not of steel, yet it cuts.
A word spoken is past recalling
Once you have said a thing, it is too late to regret having said it. We find the following in The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam translated by Edward FitzGerald: The Moving Finger writes; and, having... Read more →
A word is enough to the wise
An intelligent person can readily take a hint. Whoever is speaking to him knows that he does not need a long explanation. The Latin version is verbum sat sapienti, but we usually omit sat (enough)... Read more →
A wonder lasts but nine days
A nine day's wonder is an event that attracts much attention, but is soon forgotten. Dr Brewer divides the nine days into 'three days' amazement, three days' discussion of details, and three days'... Read more →
The wish is father to the thought
We soon believe what we want to believe. In World War II we called it 'wishful thinking', which is defined in The shorter Oxford English Dictionary as 'n illusory state of mind towards events which... Read more →
Wise men learn by other men’s mistakes; fools by their own
It is better to keep out of trouble by not repeating the foolish behaviour of others than it is to do as they did and suffer in the same way.