WHAT do U think THIS proverb MEANS???

Question

“A stranger nearby is better than a far-away relative.”,<< do u agree with this proverb?and what do u think it means?

Answer 1

Well you ca always adress to a stranger and make him a friend. Therefore this stranger may be a friend you havent met yet...

Answer 2

Well, the relative is supposedly more likely to help you than the stranger, right? But the relative is far away, so help would be some time coming. The stranger is nearby, so, even though the stranger is not as likely to help you, you will get help more quickly if the stranger does.

Answer 3

A stranger nearby is not to be taken literally. It is referring to someone who may not necessarily be "close to you" (in more ways than one, see below), but still helps you in a time of need. Someone who is there for you when you need them most.

A far-away relative is just referring to the opposite. Someone who is a relative or close friend should be there for you, but if they are not, what good are they? Sure they are relatives, but if they possess none of the characteristics a relative should possess, then is he or she really a relative?

Also another dimension of the subject's meanings....
A "stranger nearby" (or a person who cares and feels for you and is near your heart) is better than a "far away relative" (or someone who might be blood but has no care or concern for you).

Answer 4

I think it means that if a stranger is nearby they would be more likely to help you than a far-away relative. So I would agree with this because they are closer.

Answer 5

It means that you have the potential of being much more connected to and helped by a stranger who lives near you than you do by a relative who lives far away.

This was more true in the past when it was much more difficult to travel or to communicate long distances than it is now. With the technology we have now, you can easily communicate with your relative across the world, but in a crisis, it would still be easier for someone nearby to give you physical help or to sit at your bedside.

Answer 6

this is indeed a very wise and true proverb, it means that its better to rely on a stranger who is visible and closer to you instead of relying on your relatives who may not be within easy reach in case of emergency, or a call for help you. imagine you're stuck on a tree and you want wait for a relative who may be about two miles away whereas there may be a stranger just passing by, which of these two will you call for help?

Answer 7

Sounds like it was written before the days of phones and internet.
Probably means human contact with a stranger can be better than being alone even if you have relatives afar. Depends on the stranger I suppose. These days.....well ya gotta be careful. :-)

Answer 8

simply put, I think it is implying that strangers have the potential to be like FAMILY if you give those nearest to you an opportunity into your life; where as a far away family member may in fact be "family", and not even have any dealings with you, call you, come see you etc.

Some people take the word FAMILY out of context, not realizing that FAMILY can be your friends, neighbors, church FAMILY, work staff, etc.

Answer 9

This quote is probably similar to the Chinese saying that "Far water can not save close fire". If your relative too far away then how is she/he going to save you if you are in danger or need help immediately; therefore, stranger is better than your relative. ^_^ That is why be nice to people, because you never know that someday they are your life saver lol…

Answer 10

i think this quote means that if a stranger is nearby, there is no real impact on you, but if a relative moves far away, you miss them and feel a loss.
im not quite sure whether or not i agree or disagree, but it depends on the context