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apothegm practical. A dictum is a statement of some person or school, on whom it depends for authority; as, a
dictum of Aristotle. A saying is impersonal, current among the common people, deriving its authority from its
manifest truth or good sense; as, it is an old saying, "the more haste, the worse speed." A saw is a saying that
is old, but somewhat worn and tiresome. Precept is a command to duty; motto or maxim is a brief statement of
cherished truth, the maxim being more uniformly and directly practical; "God is love" may be a motto, "Fear
God and fear naught," a maxim. The precepts of the Sermon on the Mount will furnish the Christian with
invaluable maxims or mottoes. A byword is a phrase or saying used reproachfully or contemptuously.
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PROWESS.
Synonyms:
bravery, gallantry, intrepidity, courage, heroism, valor.
Bravery, courage, heroism, and intrepidity may be silent, spiritual, or passive; they may be exhibited by a
martyr at the stake. Prowess and valor imply both daring and doing; we do not speak of the prowess of a
martyr, a child, or a passive sufferer. Valor meets odds or perils with courageous action, doing its utmost to
conquer at any risk or cost; prowess has power adapted to the need; dauntless valor is often vain against
superior prowess. Courage is a nobler word than bravery, involving more of the deep, spiritual, and enduring
elements of character; such an appreciation of peril as would extinguish bravery may only intensify courage,
which is resistant and self-conquering; courage applies to matters in regard to which valor and prowess can
have no place, as submission to a surgical operation, or the facing of censure or detraction for conscience'
sake. Compare BRAVE; FORTITUDE.
Antonyms:
cowardice, cowardliness, effeminacy, fear, pusillanimity, timidity.
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PRUDENCE.
Synonyms:
care, discretion, judgment, carefulness, forecast, judiciousness, caution, foresight, providence, circumspection,
forethought, wisdom. consideration, frugality,
Prudence may be briefly defined as good judgment and foresight, inclining to caution and frugality in
practical affairs. Care may respect only the present; prudence and providence look far ahead and sacrifice the
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
237
present to the future, prudence watching, saving, guarding, providence planning, doing, preparing, and
perhaps expending largely to meet the future demand. Frugality is in many cases one form of prudence. In a
besieged city prudence will reduce the rations, providence will strain every nerve to introduce supplies and to
raise the siege. Foresight merely sees the future, and may even lead to the recklessness and desperation to
which prudence and providence are so strongly opposed. Forethought is thinking in accordance with wise
views of the future, and is nearly equivalent to providence, but it is a more popular and less comprehensive
term; we speak of man's forethought, God's providence. Compare CARE; FRUGALITY; WISDOM.
Antonyms:
folly, imprudence, rashness, thoughtlessness, heedlessness, indiscretion, recklessness, wastefulness.
improvidence, prodigality,
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PURCHASE.
Synonyms:
acquire, barter for, get, procure, secure. bargain for, buy, obtain,
Buy and purchase are close synonyms, signifying to obtain or secure as one's own by paying or promising to
pay a price; in numerous cases the two words are freely interchangeable, but with the difference usually found
between words of Saxon and those of French or Latin origin. The Saxon buy is used for all the homely and
petty concerns of common life, the French purchase is often restricted to transactions of more dignity; yet the
Saxon word buy is commonly more emphatic, and in the higher ranges of thought appeals more strongly to the
feelings. One may either buy or purchase fame, favor, honor, pleasure, etc., but when our feelings are stirred
we speak of victory or freedom as dearly bought. "Buy the truth, and sell it not" (Prov. xxiii, 23) would be
greatly weakened by the rendering "Purchase the truth, and do not dispose of it." Compare BUSINESS; GET;
PRICE; SALE.
Antonyms:
barter, dispose of, exchange, put to sale, sell.
Prepositions:
Purchase at a price; at a public sale; of or from a person; for cash; with money; on time.
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PURE.
Synonyms:
absolute, guiltless, simple, unmixed, chaste, holy, spotless, unpolluted, classic, immaculate, stainless,
unspotted, classical, incorrupt, true, unstained, clean, innocent, unadulterated, unsullied, clear, mere,
unblemished, untainted, continent, perfect, uncorrupted, untarnished, genuine, real, undefiled, upright,
guileless, sheer, unmingled, virtuous.
That is pure which is free from mixture or contact with anything that weakens, impairs, or pollutes. Material
substances are called pure in the strict sense when free from foreign admixture of any kind; as, pure oxygen;
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
238
the word is often used to signify free from any defiling or objectionable admixture (the original sense); we
speak of water as pure when it is bright, clear, and refreshing, tho it may contain mineral salts in solution; in
the medical and chemical sense, only distilled water ( aqua pura) is pure. In moral and religious use pure is a
strong word, denoting positive excellence of a high order; one is innocent who knows nothing of evil, and has
experienced no touch of temptation; one is pure who, with knowledge of evil and exposure to temptation,
keeps heart and soul unstained. Virtuous refers primarily to right action; pure to right feeling and motives; as,
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God," Matt. v, 8. Compare FINE; INNOCENT.
Antonyms:
adulterated, foul, indecent, obscene, tainted, defiled, gross, indelicate, polluted, tarnished, dirty, immodest,
lewd, stained, unchaste, filthy, impure, mixed, sullied, unclean.
* * * * *
PUT.
Synonyms:
deposit, lay, place, set.
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