Meaning & Analysis
A person who is impulsive or quick to anger will never be without sorrow or trouble in their life. The term 'wants' is used in its older sense, meaning 'lacks'.
Insights
Self-Inflicted Suffering
Impulsivity and anger are not merely reactions to external problems but are internal, generative sources of suffering. The proverb suggests that our own dispositions are the architects of our misfortunes.
Consequences of Poor Judgment
The proverb illustrates that poor emotional regulation inevitably leads to negative life outcomes. It frames hastiness and anger as character flaws that guarantee a life filled with conflict and regret.
The Cycle of Negativity
Anger and haste create a self-perpetuating cycle. An impulsive action leads to a negative consequence ('woe'), which in turn fuels more frustration and anger, ensuring a constant state of distress.
Temperament and Fate
The proverb reflects a pre-modern understanding of psychology, aligning with the concept of the four humors. The 'hasty' or 'angry' man is a clear depiction of the choleric temperament, believed to be hot-headed and prone to conflict, thus naturally attracting 'woe'.
Archaic Language
The use of 'wants' in its archaic sense, meaning 'lacks' or 'is without', is crucial. A modern reader might misinterpret it as 'desires'. This linguistic artifact underscores the proverb's historical depth and its evolution in language.
A Moral Warning
This proverb serves as a timeless piece of social advice, cautioning against the disruptive nature of impulsivity and anger. It promotes patience and deliberation as virtues essential for avoiding self-inflicted misfortune and maintaining social harmony.
Rhetorical Devices
Hyperbole
The use of 'never' is an absolute statement that heightens the proverb's cautionary tone, presenting the connection between hastiness and woe as an unbreakable, inevitable law of human nature.
Characterization
The proverb creates a distinct character archetype—the 'hasty man'—to personify the abstract concepts of impulsiveness and anger, making the moral lesson more concrete and memorable.
Alliteration
The alliterative phrase 'wants woe' creates a rhythmic, memorable quality that enhances the proverb's impact and makes it more likely to be repeated and remembered.
Transcription
Quotations
Sith hasty man lakked neuer woo.
Hasti man lakkith newer woo.
(The hasty).
An hasty man neuer getteth good.
Angrie men are subiect to many sorrowes.
(wanted never wae).
The hastie person neuer wants woe, they say.
(The hastie man seldom).
(The hastie).
(The angry).
The envious man shall never want woe.
Hastie men never want woe.
(An angry).
(A wilfull).
(The cholerick).
[As in 1636 Cam.].
Cholerick men never want Woe.
[As in 1636 Cam.].
(never wanted woe).
But willfull fowks, duz never want weay, it's said.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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