With PROSPERITY be thou not lifted up and with adversity be not cast down

Meaning & Analysis

Do not become proud or arrogant when fortunate, and do not become discouraged or despairing when facing misfortune.

Insights

Emotional Balance

The proverb encourages a steady and balanced temperament, advising that neither success nor failure should overly influence one's emotional state or sense of self.

Humility and Resilience

It metaphorically advocates for humility during good times and resilience during hardship, promoting the virtues of moderation, patience, and equanimity.

Stoic Philosophy

The saying reflects the stoic ideal of remaining unshaken by fortune’s highs or lows, cultivating inner stability regardless of external circumstances.

Philosophical and Literary Tradition

This attitude is echoed in classical philosophy (notably Stoicism and Christian ethics) and in literature, such as Shakespeare’s praise for those who accept 'Fortune’s buffets and rewards... with equal thanks.' The advice recurs in many cultures as a marker of true wisdom.

Psychological Well-being

Modern psychology recognizes the benefits of emotional regulation and perspective—avoiding pride prevents future disappointment, while resisting despair allows for recovery and growth.

Moral Instruction

The proverb serves as practical moral guidance, fostering contentment, gratitude, and patience through life’s fluctuations.

Rhetorical Devices

Antithesis

Juxtaposes prosperity with adversity, and pride ('lifted up') with dejection ('cast down'), to reinforce the call for moderation and steadiness.

Parallelism

The matching structure of the two clauses enhances memorability and emphasizes the symmetry of the advice.

Imperative Mood

The direct address ('be thou not') gives the proverb a prescriptive, instructive tone.

prosperityadversityhumilityresiliencestoicismbalance

Analyzed with gpt-4.1 on July 10, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

— 1550, TAV., Flowers Sent., s. A3v.

Learne in prosperity to be silent, and not transported, in adversity to be patient, and not dejected; in neither to be discontented.

— 1640, BRATHWAITE, Art Asleep Husb., p. 188

Shakespeare Citations

For thou hast been As one, in suff’ring all, that suffers nothing; A man that Fortune’s buffets and rewards Hast ta’en with equal thanks.

— Ham, III.ii

Cross References

P522 Neither be daunted with poverty nor lifted up with riches.

Related Proverbs

P610 He that considers in PROSPERITY will be less afflicted in adversity 97.1%A378 It is better to be mute than with an ASS to dispute 95.4%P649 An empty PURSE makes one wise, but too late 95.4%A365 One poor ASS cannot carry two burdens 95.4%P556 PRAYERS and provender hinder no journey 95.2%F612 He that has no ill FORTUNE is troubled with good 95.2%P653 He that buys and lies shall feel it in his PURSE 94.9%N336 Where NOTHING is, a little does ease 94.9%N331 They that have NOTHING need fear to lose nothing 94.8%F707 He who cannot counterfeit a FRIEND can never be a very bad enemy 94.8%M290 A MAN of gladness seldom falls into madness 94.8%P241 The PERSUASION of the fortunate sways the doubtful 94.8%F110 He may find FAULT that cannot amend 94.8%F730 Be not ungrateful to your old FRIENDS 94.7%D416 As you have DONE so shall you feel 94.7%A53 AFFLICTIONS are sent us by God for our good 94.7%E114 Better come at the latter END of a feast than the beginning of a fray 94.7%A202 Speak not ALL you know, do not all you can, believe not all you hear 94.6%F695 A FRIEND is not so soon gotten as lost 94.6%A23 Short ACQUAINTANCE brings repentance 94.6%

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