Welcome to the latest entry in “The Dictionary of Clichés,” where we serve up your daily slice of wisdom alongside a generous helping of humor and linguistic flair. Today’s phrase is—yep, you guessed it—“Cast bread upon the waters.”
📖 Casting Bread Upon the Waters: Invest and Expect the Unexpected
Origins and Definition:
The phrase “Cast bread upon the waters” originates from the Bible, specifically the Book of Ecclesiastes (11:1): “Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.” It signifies the act of investing time, money, or effort without an expectation of immediate return. The connotation? Have faith that down the line you’ll reap the rewards. This Biblical expression encourages the practice of generosity and patience.
Elbert Hubbard’s Buttery Humor
Elbert Hubbard adds his trademark humor with modern flair, quipping: “Cast your bread upon the waters and it will come back to you—buttered,” brilliantly encapsulating the optimistic twist that your good deeds may bring unexpectedly delightful returns.
Similar Terms and Expressions:
- You reap what you sow - Eventually, you will face the consequences of your actions, both good and bad.
- What goes around comes around - Good turns given will eventually receive good turns in return.
- Pay it forward - Do a good deed for someone in the hope they will continue the chain of kindness.
- Chickens coming home to roost - Bad actions or decisions are causes of one’s own problems.
Synonyms:
- Investing
- Giving
- Contributing
- Donating
- Plunging
Antonyms:
- Withholding
- Hoarding
- Retaining
- Stashing
- Clinging
Humor-Filled Quote:
“Some people are like bread cast upon the waters - they keep coming back buttered up.” - Anonymous
Proverbs:
- “The more you give, the more you receive.” – This emphasizes the cyclical benefit of generosity.
Suggested Literature and Films:
-
Books:
- “Pay It Forward” by Catherine Ryan Hyde
- “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein
-
Songs:
- “WE Are the World” by USA for Africa
- “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
-
Poetry:
- “The Gift Outright” by Robert Frost
- “A Man Without a Country” by Kurt Vonnegut
-
Movies:
- “Pay It Forward” (2000)
- “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006)
Early mornings pave the roads for eager afternoons to cruise into witty evenings―you may cast your bread upon the waters and find yourself gliding effortlessly on the buttered surface life has purposed. 🥂
Author: Penny Proverbwell Date written: 2023-10-15
