The Origin & Value of “Look Before You Leap”

“Look before you leap” is first known to appear in this 14th century
Manuscript (Ms. Douce)
now housed in the Bodleian Library, at Oxford.

Today, like so many days, I urge you to look before you leap.

Maybe it’s a matter of what you choose for breakfast. Maybe it’s what you decide to speak up about to your boss. Maybe it’s a matter of who you decide to vote for.

We make so many decisions big and small on a daily basis, but they can’t all be taken lightly. We can’t just eat our Wheaties because that’s what everyone else is eating or because someone who may or may not have been fully trustworthy told us that this was the best choice for our future health.

Look before you leap, people.

Its all about thinking, paying attention, and taking on the world in a way where the world won’t drop out under your feet.

Of course, the phrase “look before you leap” goes as far back as at least 1350 (see the illuminated manuscript at the right). It’s first English citation is an a collection of proverbs by John Heywood in 1546, and it’s first use in the United States was in 1677 in the History of Indian Wars in New England.

It’s a saying that has been around for a long time and for good reason.

Etymology aside, “look before you leap” is a valuable expression–one you should embody with every important choice you make in your life. Your landings will prove much kinder that way. At least, that’s my two cents.

References:

“English Illuminated Manuscripts.” Web Gallery of Art. Accessed November 6, 2016. http://www.wga.hu/html_m/zgothic/miniatur/1301-350/1english/

Titelman, Greogory Y. Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings. New York: Random House Reference, 1996.

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