Meaning & Analysis
A person who saves leftover food from a meal effectively prepares a second meal for themselves, thus saving the effort of a new preparation. 'Laying the cloth twice' refers to setting the table for this future meal.
Insights
Foresight and Prudence
The proverb is a lesson in wise resource management and foresight. By not consuming everything at once, one ensures provisions are available for the future, illustrating the benefits of prudence.
Efficiency and Conservation
It highlights the value of conserving resources and avoiding waste. The effort invested in preparing the first meal yields a double benefit, making it an efficient use of time and materials.
Delayed Gratification
The act of 'leaving' a portion of the meal demonstrates self-control. It champions the practice of delaying immediate, full gratification in order to secure a future benefit or comfort.
Historical Domestic Economy
This proverb reflects the values of a pre-industrial domestic economy where resource scarcity was common. Thrift was not merely a virtue but a crucial survival strategy, and avoiding waste was essential for household stability.
Psychology of Security
The act of saving leftovers provides a tangible sense of security against future uncertainty. It reinforces a psychological mindset of preparedness and control, reducing anxiety about future needs by ensuring resources are available.
Critique of Consumerism
In an era of consumerism and disposability, the proverb serves as a powerful counter-narrative. It champions the timeless virtues of mindful consumption, sustainability, and the practical wisdom of preparing for the future.
Virtue of Self-Sufficiency
The proverb champions self-reliance. As one of the quotations notes, 'he that keepes any thing in store, serues his owne turne when he hath need'. By saving, an individual ensures they can provide for themselves without depending on others.
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphor
The phrase 'lays the cloth twice' serves as a vivid metaphor for having a second meal ready. It transforms the abstract benefit of saving into the concrete, familiar action of setting a table.
Causal Structure
The proverb is built on a clear cause-and-effect structure. The action of 'leaving' (saving) directly and inevitably leads to the positive outcome of 'laying the cloth twice' (a future meal).
Aphorism
The proverb uses a simple, direct statement to convey a practical rule for living, making it easy to remember and apply. Its structure is didactic, intended to teach a lesson.
Transcription
Quotations
Who dineth and leaueth for another time, couers the table twice.
i. He that keepeth in store, serueth his turne when he hath neede.
Use temperance in thy dyet, for who dineth and leaueth for another time, couers the table twice, and he that keepes any thing in store, serues his owne turne when he hath need.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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