Meaning & Analysis
A direct blessing or prayer asking God to grant success, prosperity, and swiftness to the act of plowing a field, a foundational task in agriculture.
Insights
Success in Any Endeavor
The 'plow' symbolizes any significant undertaking, project, or enterprise. The expression is a general wish for success and prosperity in any form of labor or business, extending beyond its agricultural origins.
Blessing on Foundational Work
Plowing is the essential preparatory step for a future harvest. Metaphorically, the proverb wishes for the successful establishment of the foundational work upon which any future success or prosperity depends.
A Formal Expression of Goodwill
The phrase can be used as a polite, sometimes formal, salutation to wish someone well in their efforts, occasionally with a tone of non-interference, akin to saying, 'Good luck with your work; I will not stand in your way.'
Agrarian and Religious Heritage
Rooted in agrarian life, the proverb reflects a society where agriculture was paramount and divine favor was considered essential for a successful harvest. It is linked to historical traditions like Plough Monday in England, where the start of the plowing season was marked by blessings and rituals.
Evolution into General Goodwill
The phrase evolved from a specific agricultural blessing to a general expression of goodwill for any new venture. As seen in the 1604 quotation by Bodley regarding a printing press, the 'plow' became a metaphor for any significant undertaking, reflecting a societal shift toward more diverse forms of labor.
Psychology of New Beginnings
The proverb encapsulates the psychological need for hope and reassurance when starting a difficult and uncertain task. By invoking a divine blessing, it provides a sense of optimism and sanctifies the labor, framing it as a worthy and divinely supported effort.
Rhetorical Devices
Symbolism
The 'plow' serves as a powerful symbol for labor, preparation, and the beginning of any enterprise. It grounds the abstract concept of a new venture in a tangible, historically significant object.
Archaic Invocation
The phrase uses an archaic subjunctive mood ('May God grant speed...'), lending it a formal, prayer-like quality that elevates it from a simple wish to a solemn blessing.
Metonymy
The plow, as a tool, stands in for the entire agricultural process or any complex project. This use of a part to represent the whole makes the expression concise and impactful.
Transcription
Quotations
I pray to God, spede wele the plough.
But if you wil needs be chiefe, God speed wel the plough.
God speed their plowe!
Sir, God speede your plough. I am glad your presse is afoote, and yow so foreward before.
God speed the Plough, thou shalt not speed me.
God speed the Plough; plague Rooks and Crows, And send us Years more cheap.
For any business to proceed as it should do, and prosper .. as one should say, God speed the Plough in English.
Speed the plough! If I can make no sport, I'll hinder none.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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