Meaning & Analysis
A young lamb is just as likely to be taken to market (for slaughter) as an older sheep, emphasizing the equal vulnerability of youth and age to death or fate.
Insights
Mortality of All Ages
This proverb metaphorically expresses that death comes to the young just as swiftly as to the old, highlighting life’s unpredictability and the universality of mortality.
Fate’s Indifference
Conveys that destiny does not discriminate by age or perceived ripeness—both the innocent and the experienced are subject to the same final end.
Vanity of Youthful Security
Challenges the common assumption that youth guarantees time or safety, urging a more sober and reflective understanding of life’s fragility.
Memento Mori Tradition
The proverb belongs to the long-standing European tradition of ‘memento mori’—reminders of death’s inevitability that served both religious and philosophical functions, promoting humility and readiness for the afterlife.
Rural Symbolism and Everyday Wisdom
Drawing on the familiarity of rural markets and animal husbandry, the proverb roots existential reflection in the rhythms of peasant life, where animals of all ages were commodities, mirroring human vulnerability.
Counter-Narrative to Age-Based Expectations
It resists the comforting narrative that old age precedes death, suggesting instead that youth is no shield. This may have offered comfort or realism in times of high child mortality and plague.
Symbolism of the Lamb
The lamb, often a Christian symbol of innocence and sacrifice, enhances the emotional weight of the message—youthful purity does not exempt one from suffering or death.
Rhetorical Devices
Analogy
Compares human mortality to the fate of animals in the market, creating a relatable and earthy metaphor that communicates profound truth through simple observation.
Irony
There is an implicit irony in the juxtaposition of youthful vitality with sudden death—emphasizing life’s unpredictability through contrast.
Alliteration
Phrases like ‘lamb to the market’ and ‘sheep to the slaughter’ possess rhythmic alliteration that makes the proverb more memorable and aphoristic.
Transcription
Quotations
As sone goth to market the lambys fell As the shyppys.
As ofte comes the lambe to the market as the elder sheepe.
Als soone cumes the lambis skine to the mercat as the old sheipis.
As soone commeth a lambe to the market, as a sheepe.
As soone commeth a lambes skin to the market as a sheepes skin.
As soone goes the yong lambe to the roste, as the olde sheepe.
(As soone goes the lambeskin).
[As in 1639 Cl.].
As the English Proverb hath it, As soon goes the Lamb, as the Sheep to the slaughter.
[As in a.1598 Ferg.].
As soon goes the Lambskin to the Market as the old Sheeps.
Cross References
Annotations
- The English say, Of Young die many, Of old Men 'scape not any.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.