English proverbs (U - V)

English proverbs (U - V)

Proverbs are popularly defined as short expressions of popular wisdom. Efforts to improve on the popular definition have not led to a more precise definition. The wisdom is in the form of a general observation about the world or a bit of advice, sometimes more nearly an attitude toward a situation.

U

• An unasked question is the most futile thing in the world
• Unprepare to prepare, be prepared to be unprepared
  • supposedly said by W.B.Govo in 1916
• Use it or lose it
• Use it up, wear it out, make do with, or do without
  • Great depression era proverb.

V

• The value is determined by the agreement of two people.
• Variety is the spice of life.
  • An early version is found in William Cowper, The Task (1785), Book II, "The Timepiece", lines 606–7:
    • Variety's the very spice of life,
      That gives it all its flavour.
• Vengeance is mine, thus saith the Lord.
• Virtue which parleys is near a surrender. - Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721
• Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. (Japanese proverb)