proverb · Words worth keeping
A friend at hand is better than a relative at a distance.
A friend at hand is better than a relative at a distance.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying prefers a nearby friend to a distant relative. It values available support over a relationship that may be harder to reach.
What the words are saying
The comparison concerns proximity in its image, not the worth of either person. A qualified interpretation considers what help is actually available without dismissing distant connections or assuming a neighbour can always assist. The supplied family ranking is not universal.
Everyday example
Someone identifies nearby support while also appreciating a distant relative’s continuing care.
When to use it
Use it to discuss availability without ranking human worth by distance.
What it does not mean
Proximity does not guarantee help or make distant relatives less valuable.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 700; PDF page 101
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.