English Explanatory Dictionary

as the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. A person's formative experiences in youth influence their character during adulthood.

Word forms

as the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined

Etymology

From the Epistles to Several Persons (1732): "'Tis education forms the common mind, Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined."

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