as the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined
English
Etymology
From the Epistles to Several Persons (1732): "'Tis education forms the common mind, Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined."
Proverb
as the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined
- A person's formative experiences in youth influence their character during adulthood.
Translations
a person's formative experiences influence their adult character
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Further reading
- Oxford Reference