ext_80229 (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
whymzycal.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandom_grammar2014-02-07 08:21 am
whymzycal.livejournal.com) wrote in fandom_grammar2014-02-07 08:21 am
Entry tags:
Say What? Discretion is the better part of valor / When in Rome, do as the Romans do
Happy Friday, grammar lovers, and welcome back to "Say What?"
Today we'll be looking at two very familiar sayings, discretion is the better part of valor and when in Rome, do as the Romans do, both of which deal with prudence (and, in the latter's case, also a bit of politeness). So without further ado, let's have at it! With examples from Supernatural.
Discretion is the better part of valor
This well-known proverb first appeared in William Caxton's Jason, in 1477. It means we should be cautious and avoid unnecessary risks or, to use a similar saying, look before you leap—good advice, no matter how you choose to word it. In fact, this advice is so excellent it's been used in countless publications since Caxton introduced it (which is probably why it's so familiar).
One of the most famous instances of this proverb occurs in William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1, when Falstaff says
Other authors, like Robert Ludlum, have also seen fit to include it in their works:
It's even appeared in songs, such as the 1963 "Farewell, Mother":
In each instance, the speaker reminds us that they would much prefer to be left safe and whole rather than rushing into a potentially dangerous situation. In terms of fanfiction, you can use discretion is the better part of valor in pretty much any story where a character would do better to consider the situation carefully before wading in.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
You might say our next proverb has more to do with being polite, but it also carries some implication that the smart thing to do is act with prudence. Often shortened to the simpler when in Rome, this saying suggests that we should follow local customs—it is, after all, impolite and sometimes impolitic to try setting your own rules when you're someone else's guest.
This proverb, often attributed to Saint Ambrose (c.340-397), is likely older than discretion is the better part of valor. Tradition has it that Saint Ambrose advised Saint Augustine Si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more; si fueris alibi, vivito sicut ibi, or "When you are at Rome, live in the Roman style; when you are elsewhere, live as they live elsewhere."
It first appeared in English in the Commonplace Book in 1530, and since then, it's seen plenty of circulation while referencing both Rome and other locales:
You might get more mileage out of this saying in fanfiction than discretion is the better part of valor, depending on your subject, because the idea of blending in by following the customs of those around you is both commonplace and common sense:
If you're writing stories that include characters facing tricky situations with unpleasant outcomes or people having to blend in with groups they're not part of, feel free to toss in one or both of these sayings. Writers of all genres use proverbs all the time, and you know what they say: when in Rome … .
Sources
"Discretion is the better part of valor." The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, Christine Ammer. Houghton and Mifflin, 2003.
"Discretion is the better part of valor." Random House Dictionary of America's Popular Proverbs and Sayings, Gregory Titelman. Random House, 2000.
"When in Rome do as the Romans do." The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, Christine Ammer. Houghton and Mifflin, 2003.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Random House Dictionary of America's Popular Proverbs and Sayings, Gregory Titelman. Random House, 2000.
Today we'll be looking at two very familiar sayings, discretion is the better part of valor and when in Rome, do as the Romans do, both of which deal with prudence (and, in the latter's case, also a bit of politeness). So without further ado, let's have at it! With examples from Supernatural.
Discretion is the better part of valor
This well-known proverb first appeared in William Caxton's Jason, in 1477. It means we should be cautious and avoid unnecessary risks or, to use a similar saying, look before you leap—good advice, no matter how you choose to word it. In fact, this advice is so excellent it's been used in countless publications since Caxton introduced it (which is probably why it's so familiar).
One of the most famous instances of this proverb occurs in William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1, when Falstaff says
"The better part of valor is discretion; in the which better part I have saved my life." (c. 1597-98)
Other authors, like Robert Ludlum, have also seen fit to include it in their works:
"I wish I were ten or twelve years younger, Kendrick, and I'd whip your tail—I could have done it even at that age. At sixty-three, however, you learn that caution is the better part of valor, or whatever it is." (The Icarus Agenda, 1987)
It's even appeared in songs, such as the 1963 "Farewell, Mother":
Discretion's the better part of valor,
At least I've often heard you say;
And he who loves his life, dear mother,
Won't fight if he can run away.
In each instance, the speaker reminds us that they would much prefer to be left safe and whole rather than rushing into a potentially dangerous situation. In terms of fanfiction, you can use discretion is the better part of valor in pretty much any story where a character would do better to consider the situation carefully before wading in.
"Damn it, I knew I should've done more research on this coven before I tried to break in here," Dean grumbled. "Stupid booby-trapped warehouse." The cursed ropes around his wrists were way too tight, and his fingers were going numb.
He jumped when Sam dropped down from somewhere high above.
"Yep. You need to remember that discretion is the better part of valor, here," Sam said as he sprinkled something on the ropes to loosen them. "Try a little more caution next time, hmm?"
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
You might say our next proverb has more to do with being polite, but it also carries some implication that the smart thing to do is act with prudence. Often shortened to the simpler when in Rome, this saying suggests that we should follow local customs—it is, after all, impolite and sometimes impolitic to try setting your own rules when you're someone else's guest.
This proverb, often attributed to Saint Ambrose (c.340-397), is likely older than discretion is the better part of valor. Tradition has it that Saint Ambrose advised Saint Augustine Si fueris Romae, Romano vivito more; si fueris alibi, vivito sicut ibi, or "When you are at Rome, live in the Roman style; when you are elsewhere, live as they live elsewhere."
It first appeared in English in the Commonplace Book in 1530, and since then, it's seen plenty of circulation while referencing both Rome and other locales:
When in San Francisco do as natives do. (New Yorker, 1957)
When in Rome … . In markets overseas, companies must respect cultural differences. (New York Times, 1993)
You might get more mileage out of this saying in fanfiction than discretion is the better part of valor, depending on your subject, because the idea of blending in by following the customs of those around you is both commonplace and common sense:
Sam eyed the leather tunics and replica armor with skepticism. "Are you sure you want to wear this stuff? It's about a hundred degrees out there," he said to Dean.
"Well, yeah," Dean said. He grinned. "None of the LARPers will talk to me if I'm dressed like an FBI agent. So it's gotta be Knights of the Round Table for the next couple of days. When in Rome, am I right?"
If you're writing stories that include characters facing tricky situations with unpleasant outcomes or people having to blend in with groups they're not part of, feel free to toss in one or both of these sayings. Writers of all genres use proverbs all the time, and you know what they say: when in Rome … .
Sources
"Discretion is the better part of valor." The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, Christine Ammer. Houghton and Mifflin, 2003.
"Discretion is the better part of valor." Random House Dictionary of America's Popular Proverbs and Sayings, Gregory Titelman. Random House, 2000.
"When in Rome do as the Romans do." The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, Christine Ammer. Houghton and Mifflin, 2003.
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Random House Dictionary of America's Popular Proverbs and Sayings, Gregory Titelman. Random House, 2000.