proverb · Words worth keeping
There are three friends in this world: courage, sense, and insight.
There are three friends in this world: courage, sense, and insight.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Courage, sense and insight are called three friends. The saying values resolve together with judgment and understanding.
What the words are saying
The friendship metaphor makes these qualities appear supportive rather than interchangeable. A useful reading asks what a particular decision needs from each, instead of treating determination alone as sufficient. The phrase establishes neither an exhaustive list of useful qualities nor a guaranteed result from possessing them.
Everyday example
Someone considers both what they dare to attempt and what their understanding suggests is reasonable.
When to use it
Use it to discuss complementary qualities in a decision.
What it does not mean
No complete model of character or guaranteed success is established.
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 942; PDF page 131
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.