🤑 Easy Come, Easy Go: The Fleeting Nature of Gains 💨
“Easy come, easy go” – a simple yet insightful phrase that teaches us about the temporary nature of easily achieved gains. This idiom echoes wisdom from ages past, guiding us through both windfalls and losses with a philosophical sigh and a dash of humor.
Definition: What is readily achieved or gained is also readily lost.
Historical Touchpoint: This principle has been observed for centuries. The Chinese sage Chuang-tsze noted, “Quickly come and quickly go,” around 400 B.C. Chaucer added, “As lightly as it comth, so wol we spende” (The Pardoner’s Tale). John Heywood included “Light come, light go” in his 1546 collection of proverbs. By the 19th century, ’easy’ became the popular adjective.
Synonyms:
- Here today, gone tomorrow
- Win some, lose some
Antonyms:
- Hard-earned, well-kept
- Slow but steady
Humor-Filled Quote: “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to shop. But remember – easy come, easy go!” – Anonymous
Literary References:
- The Pardoner’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer
- Essentials by John Heywood
Similar Expressions:
- “Win in haste, repent at leisure.”
- “Fortune gained in haste is lost in haste.”
Proverb Wisdom: 13th century Italian Proverb: “What quickly comes, just as quickly goes.”
Suggested Reading:
- The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Movie Suggestion:
- The Pursuit of Happyness – an exploration of finding success and coping with hardship.
Inspirational Thought: Always remember – while easy success can slip through your fingers like sand, the fulfillment lies in the journey and the lessons learned.
Remember, life’s sways are much like the tides – even if swift gains wash away, the sea of efforts never dries. 🌊
With witticisms and wisdom, Prof. Ling O. Logic, October 2023
