"The farther to the forest, the more firewood": the origin, meaning of the proverb

In this topic, we will study the meaning and origin of the proverb "The further into the forest, the more firewood."

Sometimes we ourselves do not notice how we use winged expressions in a conversation. But we do not always correctly understand their meaning. Indeed, behind these few simple words there is always a deeper essence. And in today's topic, we want to make out the expression “the farther into the forest”, the ending of which is still like to modify a little. And we will try to reveal a real idea, starting from origin.

“The farther to the forest, the more firewood” - where did the expression come from and what is its meaning?

Proverbs are an integral part of any national culture, national folklore. Short, wise and vital phrases, people at all times tried to keep in records and pass from generation to generation, as valuable instructions to their descendants. Such a well -known proverb is no exception - "the farther to the forest, the more firewood."

It's believed that It has Russian origin. In any case, the first similar phrases “further into the forest are more firewood”, “what's next to the forest, then more firewood” are found in Russian works of the XVII-XVII centuries.
- Later, a close phrase to today's wording “The farther to the forest, the more firewood” you can see with Anton Pavlovich Chekhov in Vaudeville (1884). And also by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol “Evenings on the Farm near Dikanka” (1931-1932) and Vladimir Fedorovich Tendryakov “Being running” (1960).
- There is a mention of this proverb and in the explanatory dictionary of Vladimir Dahl. Although some sources indicate its Moldavian and even Polish origin.

In the depths of the forest in the literal sense more firewood

But no matter where this proverb was born. At first, she was most likely a wise advice. And also Reflected the lifestyle and life of our distant ancestors. Indeed, in those days, firewood was the main component of the prosperous life of people, ensuring their existence in the cold winter months.
- With the help of firewood, dwellings were heated, premises for livestock, fired furnaces for cooking, melted baths in which people could wash themselves in winter. Firewood began to be harvested long before the onset of cold weather, and they did it mainly manually. In extreme cases, they used horses, folding firewood on the supply and bringing them home.
- Naturally, all the closest to the settlements of the forest, splashes and groves quickly turned out to be cut down. And the brushwood and the jacket, which was used for kindling, was already assembled. Therefore, it turned out to be more difficult to carry out a supply of firewood for the winter every year.
This could be done only by deepening far into the forest, which required significant expenditures of time and time. So the wise advice gradually turned into a proverb that has a literal meaning - “If you want to be with firewood for the winter, for this you need to make more efforts.” A little later, another, figurative meaning of this proverb appeared - "the more you study, the more you acquire knowledge."

Important: it is worth noting that in the depths of the forest, where there were fewer people and more firewood, the burden became heavier. Yes, it was possible to collect good firewood in considerable quantities, but they also needed to be transported home. And you won’t go into the thicket of forests with a wagon. Therefore, even in those times, this expression sounded as a warning, that in addition to efforts to get and get “firewood”, they will need to be responsible for them all in reverse.

There were years, the problem of firewood for people became less relevant. After all, they began to buy from the procurers, and in many places they began to use natural gas. But the surviving proverb continued its existence, gradually gaining allegorical meaning: "The further the events develop, the more difficulties and obstacles arises in the way."

But the more there are, the heavier the burden

Therefore, the proverb “the farther to the forest, the more firewood” at different times was of different meaning, and was also used in the literal and figurative sense. And now it can be applied in different situations. But More often it is used precisely in a figurative sense, when they want to say about the problems and difficulties that arise when deepening into any process.
- Or about a person who, to achieve his selfish goals, is more and more often performs some unseemly acts. For example, such a rude example is when a person is lying. He lied in one detail and one person. But then this circle increases, like the arsenal of these details. And all this must be carried on your shoulders.
And how do not cool, but even with good deeds, for example, when receiving a second education, other, small as firewood of the problem will go to pull up. But this does not mean that you need to give up any undertakings. Just always be responsible for your actions!
And you should never forget that the load from firewood becomes heavier. Therefore, do not overload yourself. After all, another proverb will work: "You will chase two hares, you will not catch a single one." The more firewood you collect, that you will not fit your hands, the more chances to scatter them. Therefore, calculate your strength!