In the Russian language there are a lot of stable phrases and expressions in which we are talking about God, his attitude to man. Some of them carry a certain meaning, which indicates the greatness of the Creator. The phrase "Man proposes, but God disposes" is considered to be such an expression. The article will discuss the meaning of this expression, the history of its appearance, and its use in the literature.
The origins of the expression
Many enduring expressions that speak of God, his relationship to people and people to him, are taken from the Holy Scriptures. For example, the golden rule of humanity’s morality, which states that you need to treat other people the way you would like to be treated. This is the very instruction given by Jesus Christ, and it is this which is mentioned in the Gospels. In the Russian language there are phrases taken both from the New Testament and from the Old, and many of them became winged.
The phrase “Man proposes, but God disposes” is taken from the Old Testament from the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 19:21): “There are many plans in a person’s heart, but only that which is determined by the Lord will happen.” Naturally, the modern wording is very different from the text of Scripture, but it was this parable that became the basis for expression.
Literally, this phrase is found in the works of Christian writers. Scientists suggest that for the first time this phrase in literal form appeared in the work "On the imitation of Christ." In addition, they believe that the author of the book is Thomas the Kempian. In this work, the author refers to the Christian prophet Jeremiah, as if he had uttered this phrase and also said that all righteous people trust God. This expression testifies to the special Providence of God in relation to each specific person.
“Man assumes, but God disposes”: what does this expression mean
The phrase means that a person does not rule over his fate, that he does not control it and cannot know it in advance. Dreams, hopes, seemingly unmistakable calculations, verified assumptions, plans - all this can collapse at one moment, all this can be destroyed by a natural cataclysm, an accident, as a result of someone's malicious intent or human stupidity. But these are just the visible reasons for what happened. And the hidden reasons lie in the predestination that someone forms somewhere and somewhere ...
A person cannot foresee the consequences of his actions. He was not at all given to know what would be useful to him, and what would be harmful. Sometimes negative events change the fate of a person and himself, making him kinder, more cordial, humane, and positive ones, such as winning a lottery, can easily destroy him.
This phrase contains a deep meaning. This is an instruction to us all. A person should not be offended by the Lord for what he has to endure. You need to know a simple truth: everything that happens is necessary for it to happen, all the actions of a person and his suffering will lead him to where he should be, and will make him what he should be.
Proverbs close in meaning
In Dahl V. I., in the book “Proverbs of the Russian people” it is indicated that this is a stable expression that is translated from a foreign language.
Proverbs close in meaning:
- There is no arguing against fate.
- Which have not be avoided.
- You cannot fool fate.
- To what is written on the family.
- Whatever happens happens on time.
The use of expression in fiction
The expression “Man assumes, but God disposes” is found in fiction: with Shulgin V.V. in the novel “The Last Witness”, with Kozlov P.K. in the essay “Tibetan Expedition. Geographical diary ”, by V. Meshchersky in the memoirs“ My Memories ”, by Bulgarin F.V. in the novel“ Ivan Ivanovich Vyzhigin ”, by Dzhaarbekova S. A. in the novel“ Unusual Fate ”, by V. Voynovich , Hasek Yaroslav, Chekhov A.P. in the story "Slander."