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A bird in the hand was worth two in the bush, he told her…

“A bird in the hand was worth two in the bush, he told her, to which she retorted that a proverb was the last refuge of the mentally destitute.” quote by W. Somerset Maugham
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“A bird in the hand was worth two in the bush, he told her, to which she retorted that a proverb was the last refuge of the mentally destitute.”

W. Somerset Maugham

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker claims a common proverb is safe, while the listener mocks it as a crutch for the intellectually poor.

In simple terms: A proverb is seen as a safe but lazy shortcut.

Key Takeaway

Question the value of clichés.

Themes

caution intellectualism communication

Mood

skeptical reflective

Type

aphilosophical critical

When to use this quote

  • everyday conversation
  • debates
  • writing
  • teaching
  • counseling

Key Concepts

proverbial wisdom mental laziness

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you rely on sayings instead of thinking?
  • When is a proverb helpful?
A Different Perspective

Proverbs can oversimplify complex ideas.

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