Meaning & Analysis
No matter how fiercely the wind blows, it will eventually become calm. The term 'lown' is an archaic word for 'to calm down'.
Insights
The Transience of Adversity
The proverb suggests that all periods of difficulty, crisis, or turmoil, no matter how intense, are temporary and will eventually end. It is a message of hope and an encouragement to endure hardship with patience.
Emotional Fluctuation
On a personal level, the 'wind' can symbolize powerful emotions like anger, grief, or passion. The proverb implies that even the most overwhelming feelings will naturally subside over time, advocating for emotional patience and perspective.
The Inevitability of Calm
The proverb reflects a belief in natural cycles and equilibrium. Just as a storm gives way to calm, periods of chaos in life are inevitably followed by periods of peace and stability, suggesting a universal balancing principle.
Psychological Resilience
This proverb serves as a psychological anchor, promoting resilience by framing adversity as temporary. It encourages a long-term perspective, suggesting that enduring present hardship is possible because tranquility is an inevitable future state, a common theme in wisdom literature.
Nature as a Metaphor for Life
The proverb draws a direct parallel between meteorological phenomena and human experience. It reflects a worldview where the predictable patterns of the natural world provide a model for understanding and navigating the chaos of human affairs, from emotional turmoil to political unrest.
Socio-Political Commentary
The 1721 quotation by Kelly, which applies the proverb to 'present Disturbances', highlights its use as a form of political or social commentary. It offers a message of reassurance and patience during times of conflict, suggesting that peace and order will eventually be restored.
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphor
The wind serves as a powerful metaphor for any form of intense turmoil, whether it be emotional, social, or political, making the proverb broadly applicable to various life situations.
Antithesis
The structure of the proverb is built on the stark contrast between the violent action of the wind ('Blow...so fast') and its eventual cessation ('lown at the last'), which effectively emphasizes the core message of inevitable change.
Archaic Diction
The use of archaic terms like 'ne'er' (never) and 'lown' (to calm) lends the proverb a sense of timeless, traditional wisdom and authority.
Transcription
Quotations
(at last).
*Let the present Disturbances be never so great, they will at length settle.
(fast, It will fall at last).
Annotations
- turn calm
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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