Words worth understanding
Start with the thought in plain English. Then examine its imagery, practical application and limitations.
2,058 selected entries have editorial explanations. An explanation is not independent authentication of an attribution. Start with the individually source-checked classics ↗
proverb · Traditional
Someone or something encountered infrequently may slip from active attention. The saying warns about neglected contact or reminders, without proving that absence destroys affection, memory or the value of a relationship.
Read the explanation and example ↗proverb · Traditional (French-language collection)
The mortar retains a trace of what it has held. The garlic image suggests that past use can leave an impression, without proving that people or situations can never change.
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