Meaning & Analysis
Even a small or humble item possesses some discernible quality or taste, whereas a complete absence of that item has no properties at all.
Insights
Pragmatism over Perfectionism
The proverb advocates for pragmatism and the wisdom of accepting 'good enough'. It suggests that holding out for a perfect outcome can result in getting nothing at all, so it is better to accept a modest or imperfect gain.
Value of Small Gains
It highlights the value of any gain, however small. In contrast to an 'all-or-nothing' mentality, the proverb celebrates incremental progress and acknowledges that any amount of substance is preferable to a complete void.
Aversion to Emptiness
The proverb implicitly warns against the despair of absolute lack. It frames 'nothing' as the ultimate negative state, thereby elevating the status of 'something' as a defense against total want or failure.
Psychological Resilience
This proverb champions a mindset of psychological resilience and gratitude. It serves as a cognitive tool to reframe disappointment or scarcity into a more positive perspective, encouraging individuals to find value in partial successes or modest possessions rather than despairing over what is absent.
Economics of Scarcity
The proverb reflects a fundamental economic principle, particularly relevant in historical contexts of scarcity. It underscores the idea of marginal utility, where the value of moving from zero to one—from nothing to something—is immense, regardless of the quality of that 'something'. The cross-reference 'Better a louse in the pot than no flesh at all' vividly illustrates this survivalist logic.
Rhetorical Development
The proverb's evolution, as seen in the quotations, particularly Swift's addition of 'but nothing has no flavour', demonstrates a rhetorical strengthening over time. It moves from a simple statement to a balanced, antithetical phrase, enhancing its memorability and impact as a piece of folk wisdom.
Rhetorical Devices
Alliteration/Assonance
The repetition of the 's' sound in 'Something', 'some', and 'savor' creates a soft, sibilant quality that makes the phrase pleasing to the ear and easy to remember.
Antithesis
The proverb's meaning is sharpened by its implied (and sometimes explicit, as in the quotations) contrast with the state of 'nothing'. This antithesis clearly frames the choice between a modest gain and a total loss.
Sensory Metaphor
The proverb uses the concrete, physical sense of taste ('savor') as a metaphor for the abstract concepts of worth, value, and satisfaction. This makes a philosophical point tangible and relatable.
Transcription
Quotations
(Somewhat).
Giue it to me; somewhat hath some sauour.
Something, though meane, hath sauor, nothing none.
Would I were married, somewhat has some favour [for sauor].
(Somewhat).
Somewhat hath some sauour, so we get the chincke, we will beare with the stinke.
In some thing is some sauour.
Something you know, will have some sauour.
Better so and so, than nothing at all, viz. something hath some sauour.
Has he got a good fortune with his lady? for they say, something has some sauour, but nothing has no flavour.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.