 Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 |
The supposed wisdom of proverbs is mainly imaginary. As a rule, proverbs go in pairs which say opposite things. The opposite of 'More haste, less speed' is 'A stitch in time saves nine.'...
The great advantage of a proverb in argument is that it is supposed to be incontrovertible, as embodying the quintessential sagacity of our ancestors. But when once you have realised that proverbs go in pairs which say opposite things you can never again be downed by a proverb; you merely quote the opposite.
Source: On proverbs, 1932
Reprinted in: Mortals and Others, v,1:1975
More info.: https://russell-j.com/PROVERB.HTM