Meaning & Analysis
To dilute wine by adding water to it, an action historically performed to reduce its alcoholic strength, make it last longer, or for cultural reasons of temperance.
Insights
Moderation and Temperance
The proverb signifies the act of moderating one's ambitions, passions, or demands. It implies a deliberate reduction of intensity in favor of a more temperate or reasonable approach.
Reduction of Courage
It can mean to diminish one's courage, spirit, or resolve. Adding water to the 'wine' of one's bravery makes one less bold or confrontational, often as a strategic retreat or concession.
Compromise and Concession
The phrase can describe the act of compromising or backing down from a strong stance. It suggests a willingness to be less assertive or demanding in a negotiation or conflict.
Diminished Expectations
Adding water to wine lessens its quality and the pleasure of drinking it. Metaphorically, it can mean having one's hopes, enthusiasm, or expectations dampened or diminished.
Historical Temperance
The act of mixing water with wine was a standard practice in ancient Greece and Rome, where drinking undiluted wine was seen as barbaric. The proverb leverages this historical context, equating dilution with civilized restraint and moderation.
Psychology of Moderation
The proverb reflects the psychological act of self-regulation—taming one's ego, impulsiveness, or excessive passion. It champions emotional control and strategic compromise over unchecked ambition or aggression.
Cultural Symbolism
The 'wine' symbolizes a potent force—be it courage, ambition, or passion—while 'water' represents a diluting element of caution, reality, or compromise. This contrast makes the proverb a timeless metaphor for tempering one's intensity.
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphor
The proverb is built on a central metaphor where 'wine' represents a potent quality like passion, courage, or ambition, and 'water' symbolizes the act of tempering or diluting that quality.
Domestic Imagery
The simple, universally understood imagery of mixing water and wine makes the abstract concept of moderation tangible and memorable.
Antithesis
The proverb creates a clear antithesis between the potency of wine and the neutralizing effect of water, effectively highlighting the core theme of moderation versus intensity.
Transcription
Quotations
Which if he doe after hee hath well mingled Water in his Wyne, he may chaunce to finde cause of Repentaunce.
The cheife rebells .. began to put water in theire wine, and to proceed with more temper.
To throw water into ones wine, viz. to abate his courage.
Pour no water in my wine, for there are worms that go up and down the River.
Faith, in your wine I perhaps may put water.
Cross References
- See St., no. 2522.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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