Author Archives: Hector Hernandez

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Text: “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”

Informant: “I first heard the proverb ‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’ in the parking lot of the Palisades Mall in New York when my family was unable to find ideal parking and had to settle with a bad spot. I remember being 8 years old and not knowing what my dad meant by this. He repeated it as some sort of justification for making us walk the length of the entire parking lot. I could see the defeat and emasculation in his eyes due to his inability to find sweet parking. While this proverb is about the wisdom of settling, to me, it represents a false sense of being content.”

Interpretation: The old proverb says, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” it is better to be content with what one has than to risk losing it in the quest for something greater. But the informant’s own experience reinterprets it as a sign of grudging acceptance rather than genuine satisfaction. Their father’s use of the expression to defend choosing an unfavorable parking space conveys both common sense and a sense of silent defeat, implying that there are instances when “settling” is more about a lack of alternatives than wisdom. Irony and comedy are added by the informant’s early viewpoint, which reads the saying as an attempt to cope with disappointment rather than as a lesson in thankfulness.

Men in glass houses, should not stand up in the bath

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Informant (A.B.): “[It’s] is a proverb that always resonated with me. Introduced to me by my father, I like the play on the classic proverb ‘men in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones’. The parody aspect of the proverb gives it a layered meaning. Sometimes life isn’t about destruction, but intense humiliation. My interpretation is that it’s okay to crave attention, but don’t commit to a life of transparency if you value privacy.”

Interpretation: A.B’s version of the original proverb “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” shifts the focus from hypocrisy to vulnerability of privacy, focusing on the tension between privacy and visibility. The original phrase serves as a warning against criticism against others while one is equally flawed, but this version highlights the dangers of self-exposure. The rewording emphasizes that not all mistakes lead to major catastrophes; some lead to embarrassment, making it a reflection on modern concerns about public image and social status. Nowadays, social media disturbs the line between personal and public life, but the proverb serves as a cautionary reminder that visibility and social image come with consequences. Transparency has its limits, and self-awareness is key to navigating a society where exposure can lead to both recognition and ridicule. 

Jack of all trades, master of none

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Text: “Jack of all trades, master of none”

Informant: “‘Jack of all trades, master of none’ is a proverb that greatly resonates with me and my craft. I often find myself bouncing around from idea to idea, unable to hone in on one particular skill set. This proverb induces feelings of annoyance and stress as I navigate my field, looking for a route that satisfies me. In an industry of underpaid post-production workers, this proverb is especially worth contemplating, as much as I’d rather not.” 

Interpretation: The proverb “Jack of all trades, master of none” has been used as a warning against overstretching yourself rather than becoming an expert in just one area. The informant finds the statement to be stressful and frustrating, which is shown in the modern reality of creative industries where adaptability is frequently required but not always rewarding. Their story demonstrates the conflict between specialization and flexibility, particularly in a business like post-production in the film industry, where having several skills can be a source of both professional uncertainty and survival. The expression shifts from describing a straightforward reality to describing a continuous conflict in which the necessity to wear several hats and the pressure to succeed in one area collide.

You wouldn’t punch a gift horse in the mouth.

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Poughkeepsie, NY
Language: English

Text: “You wouldn’t punch a gift horse in the mouth.”

Informant: “The first time I heard ‘You wouldn’t punch a gift horse in the mouth,’ I remember being told that wasn’t the saying, and I got confused because, well you wouldn’t punch a gift horse in the mouth. The people I was with agreed with that logic and ever since then it’s been my go-to proverb. I believe it represents a proverb’s ability to evolve into the modern age; for a meaning to stay timeless even as the context changes. It is this mentality that I try and take with me. No matter what I do, it’s important to stay timeless but real to myself. Even if my context changes, my meaning stays the same.” 

Interpretation: The informant’s misinterpretation of “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” into “You wouldn’t punch a gift horse in the mouth” highlights the nature of language and the way proverbs can evolve while maintaining their core meaning. Traditionally, the original saying advises against inspecting or questioning a gift, but the informant’s version changes the focus to a funnier, simpler truth—appreciation and respect for what is given. By applying this perspective to their own life, they express a desire to remain both timeless and authentic, suggesting that personal identity should be flexible in context but unwavering in essence. Their reflection on the proverb’s adaptability speaks to the nature of wisdom, emphasizing that while language and circumstances may change, fundamental values remain relevant. The reinterpretation of the proverb, rather than diminishing its meaning, reinforces the idea that wisdom is not just about rigid tradition but about finding truth in every era.

Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Text: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”.

Informant: “A proverb that was introduced to me by a friend is ‘give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. This saying was exhausted by my friend over a dozen times as he failed to teach me how to fish last summer. I associate this proverb with immense frustration and delusions of superiority and wisdom from my friend, as he too failed to catch a fish. I don’t even like fish like that. Salmon is good if prepared properly.”

Interpretation: This classic proverb highlights self-sufficiency and the long-term benefits of education over short-term aid. The informant’s humorous take on the phrase shows its challenges and its idealism, showing the frustration that can come with both teaching and learning. The experience suggests that knowledge alone is not enough, but execution plays a part as well. This perspective showcases the limitations of knowledge when it is isolated from success, exposing the bridge between theory and reality. A.B’s comment about not even liking fish also adds a layer of irony, questioning whether the skill being taught is even valuable to the learner, making it a playful critique of unwanted advice and misguided mentorship.