Duality & Contrast: English Vocabulary List

used to imply that the burden of high expectations placed on the children of successful or accomplished individuals can be damaging and lead to rebellion or negative behavior

"Expectations cause problems."

"The founder's son had none of his father's drive — clergymen's sons always turn out badly."

used to imply that those who work in a certain profession may be difficult clients or recipients of services related to that profession due to their preconceived notions and knowledge of the field

"Experts are often the worst at following their own advice — doctors make the worst patients."

"The surgeon ignored his own symptoms for weeks, proving that doctors make the worst patients."

used to imply that in any situation or experience, there are both positive and negative aspects that coexist

"Good and bad exist."

"Fame brought money but also constant scrutiny — every light has its shadow."

used to emphasize that every positive or desirable thing is accompanied by its contrasting or negative counterpart

"Good and bad always exist."

"Success came with sacrifice — every white has its black, and every sweet its sour."

used to suggest that two seemingly opposite or extreme things or people can actually have some common ground or similarity, despite their apparent differences

"Opposites often meet and connect — extremes meet."

"The most conservative and the most radical members of the team found common ground — extremes meet."

used to imply that it is possible for something that is very serious or profound to quickly and easily become something trivial or absurd, often with little warning or explanation

"Greatness and absurdity are very close — from the sublime to the ridiculous is only one step."

"The serious debate turned into a silly argument, showing that from the sublime to the ridiculous is only one step."

used for saying that something may appear pleasant or desirable on the surface, but it can have negative or harmful consequences as well

"Good things often come with a price — honey is sweet, but the bee stings."

"The role was prestigious and well-paid, but honey is sweet, but the bee stings — the pressure was relentless."

used to imply the idea that love is often associated with strong emotions and impulsive behavior, which can cloud a person's judgment and lead them to behave foolishly or make unwise decisions

"Love clouds your judgement — one cannot love and be wise."

"He made poor business decisions to please her — one cannot love and be wise."

used to suggest that people are often drawn to those who are different from themselves in terms of personality, interests, or other characteristics

"Different people are often drawn to each other — opposites often attract."

"She was introverted and methodical, he was loud and impulsive — opposites attract."

used to imply that professionals or experts in a particular field may neglect to use their skills or services for their own benefit or that of their family members

"Experts often neglect their own domain — the shoemaker's son always goes barefoot."

"The IT manager's own laptop was riddled with problems — the shoemaker's son always goes barefoot."

used to suggest that even though a person may have the desire or intention to do something, their physical weakness or limitations may prevent them from actually carrying it out

"The mind wants but the body resists — the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

"He wanted to wake up early and exercise every day — the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

used to suggest that even the happiest experiences in life come with some negative aspects or challenges

"There is always something mixed in with happiness — there is no joy without alloy."

"The promotion was wonderful, but the relocation that came with it was hard — there is no joy without alloy."

used to describe the behavior of young people, who may be impulsive and reckless in their youth but become more responsible and sensible as they get older

"Wild young people often become responsible adults — wanton kittens make sober cats."

"The most disruptive student in the class became the most disciplined professional — wanton kittens make sober cats."

used to suggest that wherever there is progress or success, there will always be those who seek to exploit or corrupt it

"Good draws out bad — where God builds a church, the devil will build a chapel."

"Every genuine initiative seemed to attract imitators and exploiters — where God builds a church, the devil will build a chapel."

used to warn against being misled by tempting but ultimately harmful or unnecessary things, emphasizing that God provides what is needed while the devil tempts with what is wanted

"Tempting offers can be bad."

"Be cautious of easy opportunities, as God sends meat and the devil sends cooks."

used to imply that while certain things can be beneficial when used properly, they can become harmful or dangerous if they are not controlled or managed effectively

"Control is very important."

"Technology has transformed business, but fire is a good servant and a bad master — misuse it and it consumes you."

used to imply that resources and opportunities are finite, and that one person's loss can create an opportunity for someone else to succeed

"Someone always benefits from another's loss — one man's loss is another man's gain."

"When the market leader collapsed, smaller rivals thrived — one man's loss is another man's gain."

used to suggest that professionals or experts in a particular field may neglect to apply their skills or services to their own lives or those of their immediate family

"Those who provide services often lack them — the cobbler's wife is the worst shod."

"The health consultant worked seventy-hour weeks — the cobbler's wife is the worst shod."

used to suggest that people often desire the rewards or benefits of a particular goal but are not willing to take the necessary steps or make the necessary sacrifices to achieve it

"Everyone wants heaven, nobody wants to die."

"He said that everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die, which explains why people avoid making hard sacrifices."

used to suggest that the vulnerabilities of one's opponent can provide an opportunity for one's own strength or power to be demonstrated

"Our strength comes from the weakness of our rivals — the weakness of the enemy makes our strength."

"They gained market share not through excellence but because the competition had declined — the weakness of the enemy makes our strength."

used to imply that every good thing in life has its own negative aspects or challenges

"Every good thing has a downside — every rose has its thorn."

"The partnership was valuable, but every rose has its thorn — the terms were difficult."

used to imply that even if one's intentions are good, one's actions may still lead to negative consequences, and that one must be mindful of the impact of one's actions on others

"Good intentions are not enough without good actions — the road to hell is paved with good intentions."

"She meant to help but only made things worse, as the road to hell is paved with good intentions."

used to suggest that being away from home can make a person more interested in news from their home and family, as they are no longer directly involved in the daily events

"Travel gives you perspective on home — go abroad and you will hear news of home."

"She learned more about her country's reputation by living overseas — go abroad and you will hear news of home."