Meaning & Analysis
It is advisable to simultaneously embrace cheerfulness and exercise good judgment, suggesting that one should enjoy life but not at the expense of wisdom.
Insights
The Virtue of Balance
The proverb champions a balanced temperament, suggesting that a fulfilling life is achieved by integrating joy with prudence, avoiding the pitfalls of both reckless hedonism and joyless austerity.
Social Harmony
It serves as a guide for social conduct, advising one to be enjoyable company ('merry') while remaining sensible and considerate ('wise'), thus maintaining social harmony.
Prudent Pleasure
This maxim suggests that true pleasure is not mindless. Wisdom enhances enjoyment by preventing it from becoming destructive or regrettable, framing responsible indulgence as the most sustainable form of happiness.
Philosophical and Historical Resonance
The proverb reflects the Renaissance humanist ideal of a well-rounded individual, echoing the classical Aristotelian 'golden mean' by advocating for a balance between extremes—in this case, frivolousness and dourness.
A Social Corrective
This proverb often functions as a social corrective, a gentle admonition used when enjoyment risks becoming excessive or foolish. As noted in a 1721 citation, it's a way to encourage temperance without ending the fun.
Psychology of Prudence
Psychologically, the proverb champions emotional intelligence. It advises integrating the impulse for pleasure ('merry') with the capacity for judgment ('wise'), preventing joy from descending into recklessness.
Rhetorical Devices
Juxtaposition
The proverb's impact comes from juxtaposing 'merry' and 'wise'—two qualities that can be seen as conflicting—to create a unified, desirable ideal.
Balanced Structure
The simple, elegant 'A and B' structure creates a memorable and rhythmic phrase, giving equal importance to both cheerfulness and wisdom.
Conciseness
Its brevity and directness make it a powerful piece of advice that is easy to remember and apply in various social situations.
Transcription
Quotations
Therefore an other sayd sawe doth men advise That they be together both mery and wise.
(Tis good to be).
Therefore it is good to be wittie and wyse.
Tis good to be mery and wise the truth to say.
Argueth, that great Divines are sometimes more merry than wise.
To be merry and wise its good.
(It is good to be).
Come, come George, let's be merry and wise, the child's a fatherless child.
(It is good to be).
(It is good to be).
Be merry and wise.
Be merry and wise.
*Spoken when Peoples Mirth border too much upon Folly.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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