1.
the early bird catches the worm; early rising brings benefits
A proverb meaning that waking up early leads to advantages or profits. Encourages the virtue of early rising.
Since they say the early bird catches the worm, I started taking morning walks.
Etymology
Waking up early brings some benefit, even if small. The 三文 (three mon) was a small amount of money in old Japan, but the proverb emphasizes that even a small gain is better than nothing.
The 文 was a unit of currency in the Edo period. While three mon was a trivial sum, the proverb suggests that the cumulative benefits of early rising add up.
Usage
Close English equivalents
- The early bird catches the worm
- Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise
Writing
Sometimes written with 得 instead of 徳, though 徳 (virtue) is more traditional.