The CITIZEN is at his business before he rise

Meaning & Analysis

A citizen is already mentally occupied with their work, plans, or obligations before they have physically gotten out of bed in the morning.

Insights

Diligence and Ambition

The proverb symbolizes extreme diligence and ambition, portraying a person whose commitment to their goals is so profound that it dominates their thoughts from the very first moments of consciousness.

Foresight and Planning

It illustrates the concept that success is built on foresight and mental preparation. The effective individual is one who strategizes and plans their actions before the day even officially begins.

The Demands of Urban Life

The proverb can be seen as a commentary on the demanding nature of urban life, where the pace and competition require constant mental alertness and preoccupation with one's affairs to thrive.

Anxiety and Responsibility

It highlights a state of perpetual mental unrest, where the 'business' represents not just work but also worries and responsibilities that prevent true relaxation, even during periods of supposed rest.

Rise of the Bourgeoisie

The proverb reflects the values of an emerging urban, mercantile class, where constant industriousness and mental engagement in commerce were prized virtues, distinguishing the 'citizen' from the landed gentry or rural laborers.

The Preoccupied Mind

Psychologically, the proverb captures the modern condition of a mind that never rests, where work-related anxieties and planning intrude upon personal time, starting from the moment of waking.

The Virtue of 'Busyness'

It champions a cultural ethos where 'busyness' is a mark of virtue and responsibility. The ideal citizen is not idle but perpetually engaged in productive thought, underscoring a societal premium on work ethic.

Rhetorical Devices

Paradox

The seemingly impossible statement of being at work before rising creates a memorable paradox that emphasizes the depth of the citizen's mental commitment.

Antithesis

The juxtaposition of a state of rest ('before he rise') with a state of activity ('at his business') effectively highlights the relentless and inescapable nature of the citizen's duties.

Symbolism

The 'citizen' and his 'business' are symbolic, representing not just an urban dweller and their job, but a whole mindset of ambition, responsibility, and civic/economic engagement.

diligenceambitionanxietyplanningurban-lifework-ethic

Analyzed with gemini-2.5-pro on July 24, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

— 1640, HERB., no. 951

— 1658, EDMONDSON, Comes Fac. in Via, p. 24

— 1659, N.R., p. 93

Related Proverbs

S386 A SHOEMAKER's son is a prince born 92.6%N175 The NIGHT is the time of rest for all creatures 92.5%L97 Agree, for the LAW is costly 92.3%D566 Well does he live within DOORS that is beloved without doors 92.2%H837 In the HUSBAND wisdom, in the wife gentleness 92.1%K52 He has KINDRED enough that has a good wife 91.9%K81 A KING's favor is no inheritance 91.9%S644 Good SOPS may be made in an old pot 91.9%L63 A long LANE and a fair wind and always your heels here away 91.8%S654 SORROW comes unsent for 91.8%L356 A LITTLE in the morning is enough, enough at dinner is but little, a little at night is too much 91.8%N248 To change one's NOTE 91.7%T462 A TRADE is better than service 91.6%D115 Farewell my good DAYS, they will be soon gone 91.6%T447 TOUCH and take 91.6%D486 It is a good DOG can catch anything 91.5%S730 That is well SPOKEN (There is nothing ill said) that is well taken 91.4%G108 GIFTS enter without knocking 91.4%A198 Of ALL and of all commend me to Ball, for by licking the dishes he saved me much labor 91.4%A187 He that gives ALL before he dies provides to suffer (is a fool) 91.3%

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