Though the WOUND be healed yet the scar remains

Meaning & Analysis

Even after a physical injury has healed, a permanent mark or scar is often left behind on the skin.

Insights

Enduring Trauma

Emotional or psychological injuries, such as betrayal, loss, or abuse, can have enduring effects on a person's psyche long after the initial pain has subsided. The 'scar' represents lasting changes in trust, behavior, or perspective.

Forgiveness and Memory

While forgiveness can 'heal' the conflict between individuals, it does not erase the memory of the wrongdoing. The 'scar' is the indelible recollection of the event, which can permanently alter the nature of the relationship.

Irreversibility of Actions

This proverb warns that actions, especially harmful ones, have irreversible consequences. An apology may mend the immediate damage, but the event itself cannot be undone and its impact remains a permanent part of one's history.

Psychological Realism

The proverb captures a profound psychological truth about trauma, suggesting that recovery is not erasure but integration. The scar symbolizes the memory of an injury, representing both survival and lasting vulnerability. Shakespeare's use in 'Lucrece' deepens this, portraying a wound so deep the scar is a constant, unhealable reminder.

Relational Dynamics

This proverb serves as a powerful social caution, highlighting how hurtful actions or words can permanently alter the foundation of a relationship. Even if forgiveness is granted, the memory of the transgression—the scar—can create a permanent sensitivity or weakness in the bond.

Historical Legacy

Beyond personal injury, the proverb applies to collective historical trauma. Wars, civil injustices, or societal conflicts leave indelible marks on a culture's identity and memory. Even after peace or reconciliation is achieved, these historical scars continue to shape present-day attitudes and politics.

Rhetorical Devices

Metaphor

The core of the proverb is the powerful metaphor of a physical 'wound' and 'scar' to represent abstract concepts like emotional pain, historical events, and their lasting consequences.

Antithesis

The proverb creates a stark contrast between the state of being 'healed' and the fact that the scar 'remains'. This tension effectively highlights the central message that resolution does not mean erasure.

Pathos

The proverb's somber and realistic tone evokes a sense of melancholy and resonates with the universal human experience of being marked by past events, appealing directly to the listener's emotions.

traumamemoryforgivenesshealingconsequenceshistory

Analyzed with gemini-2.5-pro on August 18, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

Strikteth with a sting, And leaves a skarre although the wound be heald.

— 1573, GASCOIGNE, Fruits War: Posies, p. 159

As Wounds once healed leave a Scar behind them; so remitted Injuries leave commonly in the Actors a guilty Remembrance.

— 1612, J. HALL, Contempl., I iii, II 27

It is best that dissension should never be born among brethren . . Members rent and torn, cannot be healed without a scar.

— 1660, SECKER, Nonsuch Prof., IV 4, p. 358

A wound tho cur'd, yet leaves behind a Scar.

— 1679, OLDHAM, Sat. Jesuits (1685 ed.), III: Wks., p. 70

Tho' the Sore be healed, yet a Scar may remain.

— 1732, FUL., no. 5013

Shakespeare Citations

Bearing away the wound that nothing healeth, The scar that will despite of cure remain.

— Luc, 731

Related Proverbs

W447 The WIND in one's face makes one wise 92.9%W599 WOE to the house where there is no chiding 92.8%M64 As a MAN lives so shall he die, as a tree falls so shall it lie 92.4%M453 He that fills every MAN's mouth needs much meal 92.4%W237 He that bites on every WEED must needs light on poison 92.1%K74 You should be a KING of your word 91.8%M734 The MASTER's footsteps fatten the soil 91.7%W157 To him that wills WAYS are not wanting 91.6%H113 Happier are the HANDS compassed with iron than a heart with thoughts 91.6%H194 Make HASTE when you are purchasing a field but when you are to marry a wife be slow 91.5%W383 The WIFE (woman) is the key of the house 91.5%W930 The WOUND that bleeds inwardly is most dangerous 91.3%S422 Who marries between the SICKLE and the scythe will never thrive 91.3%G224 GOD stays long but strikes at last 91.0%M175 He that kills a MAN when he is drunk shall be hanged when he is sober 91.0%M760 No MATTER what's the disease when God is the physician 91.0%H146 He that eats the HARD shall eat the ripe 90.6%H217 He that HAS of his own needs not to borrow 90.6%C567 He that dies without the COMPANY of good men puts not himself into a good way 90.6%T117 The THIEF will be found out at last 90.4%

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