Meaning & Analysis
It is just as well to do something immediately as to delay it and do it later.
Insights
Avoidance of Procrastination
The proverb advocates acting promptly rather than postponing the inevitable, highlighting that delay offers no benefit over immediate action.
Acceptance of Necessity
It suggests that when something must be done, it is futile to resist or put it off; one may as well accept and address it from the outset.
Efficiency and Wisdom
Implies that efficiency and wisdom lie in facing obligations head-on, reducing anxiety and wasted time that come with procrastination.
Psychological Truth
The proverb recognizes the common human tendency to delay unpleasant or difficult tasks, yet reminds us that postponement only prolongs discomfort without changing the necessity.
Practical Wisdom
Echoes a theme found in many cultures and eras—such as 'better sooner than later' or 'don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today'—suggesting a universal endorsement of timely action.
Literary Economy
Its concise, balanced phrasing makes the advice easily memorable and repeatable, giving it the quality of folk wisdom distilled through everyday experience.
Rhetorical Devices
Antithesis
The juxtaposition of ‘first’ and ‘last’ succinctly captures the contrast between action and delay, lending force to the advice.
Parallelism
Balanced structure reinforces the equivalence of early and late action, making the proverb rhythmically appealing.
Colloquial Tone
The direct, conversational style lends the proverb an air of practical, everyday advice.
Transcription
Quotations
Well, you must have it, As good at first as last.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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