You will follow him long ere five SHILLINGS fall from him

Insights

Unrewarding Pursuits

Warns against dedicating time and effort to a stingy or ungenerous person, suggesting that such a pursuit will yield no reward, favor, or benefit. 'Following' symbolizes service or seeking favor, while the 'shillings' represent any form of compensation.

Futility of Expectation

Illustrates the foolishness of expecting generosity from someone known for being miserly. The extended effort of 'following long' is contrasted with the nonexistent reward, emphasizing the futility of the expectation.

Pragmatic Character Judgment

Functions as a piece of practical advice on judging character, particularly in financial matters. It advises one to recognize and avoid investing time and energy in individuals who are inherently ungenerous and will never provide support.

Historical Economic Context

In the 18th century, five shillings represented a substantial sum, equivalent to a week's wages for a laborer. This context elevates the proverb from a simple observation of stinginess to a powerful statement on the utter futility of seeking patronage from a miserly individual, as the expected reward is significant yet utterly unattainable.

Social Commentary on Patronage

The proverb offers a sharp commentary on social hierarchies and the patronage system. It serves as cynical but practical advice for those in dependent positions, urging them to accurately assess the character of potential benefactors and avoid wasting their loyalty and service on ungenerous patrons.

Psychology of False Hope

Psychologically, the proverb addresses the human tendency to persist in unrewarding situations based on false hope. It acts as a corrective, urging a pragmatic assessment of a person's ingrained traits—like miserliness—and highlighting the folly of expecting someone to act against their fundamental nature.

Rhetorical Devices

Hyperbole

The act of waiting for a significant sum of money to literally 'fall' from someone's pocket is an exaggeration that powerfully emphasizes their extreme and unwavering stinginess.

Imagery

The visual of one person trailing another in the vain hope of picking up dropped coins creates a vivid and memorable picture of a fruitless and somewhat demeaning endeavor.

Metaphor

The entire phrase is a metaphor for the broader concept of seeking patronage or advantage from a person who is constitutionally unwilling to provide it.