Meaning & Analysis
An action or endeavor is not (or is) worth the expense, effort, or resources invested; the outcome does not (or does) justify the input. 'To quit the cost' means to repay the expense.
Insights
Cost-Benefit Principle
The proverb serves as a fundamental principle of cost-benefit analysis, urging an evaluation of whether the potential rewards of any venture—be it financial, emotional, or intellectual—outweigh the required sacrifices.
Diminishing Returns
It functions as a warning against pursuing endeavors with diminishing returns, where continued investment of time, money, or energy no longer yields a worthwhile or proportional outcome.
Prudence and Foresight
The proverb champions prudence and foresight, advising careful consideration and strategic planning before committing to a course of action to avoid squandering resources on futile or unprofitable ventures.
Mercantile Origins
Rooted in the practical language of early modern commerce and agriculture, the proverb applies an accounting principle to everyday life, reflecting a mindset where the value of an action is measured by its tangible return.
Precursor to ROI
This proverb is a timeless, colloquial expression of the modern concept of 'Return on Investment' (ROI), demonstrating that the core principle of weighing costs against benefits is a fundamental and enduring aspect of human decision-making.
Psychology of Justification
The proverb encapsulates the psychological need to avoid wasted effort and regret. It serves as a mental shortcut for decision-making, helping to rationalize choices by framing them in terms of tangible outcomes and justification.
Rhetorical Devices
Archaic Phrasing
The phrase 'quit the cost' is an archaic formulation meaning 'repay the expense'. This lends the proverb a sense of traditional, time-honored wisdom.
Structural Flexibility
The inclusion of '(will)' makes the proverb adaptable. It can be used as a negative warning ('it will not quit the cost') or a positive encouragement ('it will quit the cost'), making it a versatile tool for expressing judgment.
Conciseness
The proverb's power lies in its direct and unadorned structure, which presents a complex economic calculation as a simple, memorable, and universally applicable statement.
Transcription
Quotations
(quitt cost)
And to instruct them, 'twill not quit the cost.
'Twill not quite for cost.
The digging of them out never quitted the cost.
And if you have Water plenty in your Hop-Garden, it will quit the cost in such years.
Cross References
- See St., no. 2105.
Annotations
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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