SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS and A ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS

From Sampath’s Desk:

 

SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS:

 

Meaning:

 

Challenging experiences that can teach you a lot – you learn as a result of difficult or unpleasant experiences – the life experiences gained especially clinching success sometimes, and/or disappointment despite hard work sometimes regarded as a means of education – painful or difficult experiences that are seen to be useful in teaching someone life lessons

 

Example sentences:

 

Even without formal education, some people learn more from the SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.

 

The only school he ever attended was the SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.

 

Much of Ram’s knowledge was gleaned from the SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.

 

He learned his trade in the SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.

 

Krishnan has gone through the SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS, so he knows what works and what doesn’t.

 

They will very soon get the shock of their lives and learn some very unpleasant yet important lessons in the SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.

 

 

A ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS:

 

Meaning:

 

It means a person who doesn’t settle in one place/job will not accumulate wealth or status, or responsibilities or commitments, friends or possessions – it also means that such persons will have lesser things to worry about – you don’t attach yourself to things when you are on the go all the time moving from place to place, one job to another -

 

Example sentences:

 

A person who never settled in one place or job will never be successful. After all, a ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS.

 

It was time for you to have settled down at least five years back. You should have found a place that you liked and built a home there; for, a ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS.

 

His mother always said that she would like to see her son settled by the time he turned 28 years old. A boy wandering around after that is like a ROLLING STONE NOT GATHERING ANY MOSS, according to her.

 

I worry about Ramesh. He has never lived in the same place for two years in a row; and he also keeps changing jobs least realizing that a ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS.

 

 

In a lighter vein:

 

‘X’ asked jovially thus, “A rolling stone may gather no moss, okay; then how quickly a stationary stone can collect it?”

 

Proverb:

 

நீர்க்குட் பாசிபோல் வேர்க்கொள்ளாது.

As moss in water, it will not take root.

 

(R.SAMPATH)