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"One swallow does not a summer make, nor one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy." This is a paraphrase of a statement made by Aristotle. It is often rendered: "One swallow doth not a summer make." In the statement, swallow refers to the bird, and not what you do when you are eating something. In spring or early summer, swallows would return from their migration to spend the warm season in Greece. Aristotle is saying just because you saw a swallow, that doesn't mean you've experienced the whole summer. One summery day isn't the whole summer either. And one day of happiness doesn't mean you are entirely happy.

It can be used in any number of ways. Say a friend has just ended a relationship. You might say, if you are sure he won't hurt you, "one swallow doth not a summer make", indicating that there are many relationships ahead. Or someone might do very well in one college course. You could say a bit sarcastically, "one swallow doth not a summer make", suggesting that there have to be many good grades before the person is educated.
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Keeley Olson

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3y ago

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Related Questions

What does the phrase two swallows don't make a summer mean?

Perhaps you refer to the saying of Aristotle, in the Nichomachean Ethics: One swallow does not make a Summer; echoed in 1546 by John Haywood in Proverbs as One swallow maketh not summer, and again in 1577 in Northerbrooke's Treatise against Dancing as One swallow proveth not that summer is near. Cervantes repeats it in Don Quixote. Walt Kelly's Pogo remarked it depends on what you swallow.


Who said one swallow does not make a spring?

"One swallow does not a summer make, nor one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy." This is a paraphrase of a statement made by Aristotle. It is often rendered: "One swallow doth not a summer make." In the statement, swallow refers to the bird, and not what you do when you are eating something. In spring or early summer, swallows would return from their migration to spend the warm season in Greece. Aristotle is saying just because you saw a swallow, that doesn't mean you've experienced the whole summer. One summery day isn't the whole summer either. And one day of happiness doesn't mean you are entirely happy. It can be used in any number of ways. Say a friend has just ended a relationship. You might say, if you are sure he won't hurt you, "one swallow doth not a summer make", indicating that there are many relationships ahead. Or someone might do very well in one college course. You could say a bit sarcastically, "one swallow doth not a summer make", suggesting that there have to be many good grades before the person is educated.


What is the meaning of the idiom 'one swallow doesn't make a summer'?

Even if something good happens to you, it doesn't mean there will be many good things happening too. For example: Bill passed an exam in Math yesterday, but one swallow doesn't make a summer. He still needs to work on it continuously since he is not good at it.


What is the meaning of One swallow does not make summer?

Don't jump to conclusions based on incomplete evidence.


What is the origin of the idiom one swallow doen't make a summer?

The phrase "one swallow doesn't make a summer" originated from a statement made by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle in his work "Nicomachean Ethics." It means that one isolated incident or positive event does not guarantee overall success or improvement.


Who said one swallow doesn't make a summer but too many swallows make a fall?

This quote is attributed to Aristotle in his work "Nicomachean Ethics". It means that one small event doesn't necessarily indicate a trend, but an accumulation of similar events can lead to a significant outcome.


What is a definition of the word 'gurge'?

According to one online dictionary, "gurge" can mean a whirlpool or "to swallow up".


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