Let’s face it: clichés get a bad rap. We roll our eyes at them, dismiss them as lazy thinking, and slap them on tacky motivational posters that no one buys. But here’s the thing—these overused nuggets of wisdom stick around for a reason. They’re annoyingly accurate, just like that friend who always says, I told you so.
Sure, they’re trite, but they’re also true. So, let’s dust off a couple of these overused gems and and figure out why they refuse to fade into obscurity.
Time heals all wounds
The phrase “Time heals all wounds” is often attributed to the ancient Greek poet Menander, who wrote something similar around 300 BCE: “Time is the healer of all necessary evils.” This sentiment was echoed by later philosophers and writers.
They say time heals all wounds. And sure, it does—a stubbed toe stops throbbing, a bad haircut grows out, and even the sting of betrayal dulls eventually. But here’s the catch: time is a notoriously lazy doctor. It doesn’t rush to your bedside with a first-aid kit; instead, it leaves you to your own devices.
A stubbed toe heals faster than disappointment or betrayal because humans are stubborn creatures. We cling to grudges like prized possessions, replay embarrassing moments like a greatest-hits album, and text our exes “by accident” just to see if they’re still as toxic as we remember. Spoiler: they are.
But time has a secret weapon—distance. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and suddenly, the things that felt like open-heart surgery now feel like paper cuts and trust me you will even laugh about them, eventually.
And let’s not forget, time heals unevenly. It patches up heartbreak with duct tape but leaves you with a scar so you’ll think twice next time. It’s less a miracle cure and more of a slow negotiation. So, yes, time heals all wounds. But it also teaches you how to stop poking at them.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
The sentiment behind “Actions speak louder than words” can be traced back to the 17th century. It appears in various forms, including John Pym’s 1628 statement: “A word spoken is an action in suspense.”
Talk is cheap. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the annual chorus of, “This year, I’ll lose weight, get in shape, stop smoking, and finally learn French!”. By February, the gym membership’s gathering dust, the cigarettes are back in the glove compartment, and the only French you’ve learned is “croissant”.
Words are easy—deliciously so. They require no discipline, no sweat, and certainly no leaving the couch. Saying, “I’ll start running every morning,” sounds proactive; doing it requires getting up at 6 a.m. in February darkness, discovering your lung capacity is that of a chain-smoking sloth, and questioning all your life choices by minute three.
Actions, though? They’re the great equalizer. They don’t care about how well you sell your intentions—they care about what you actually do. You can promise your friends, family and yourself that you’re quitting sugar, but when you’re face-deep in a donut box at 3 p.m. on a Tuesday, those words hold about as much weight as most New Year’s resolutions.
Every one of us has made bold declarations only to betray ourselves with just one exception. Because, really, how bad can one exception be? Except one turns into 12, and suddenly you’ve got Netflix asking, “Are you still watching?” You know what I’m talking about.
At the end of the day, actions don’t just speak louder—they cut through the noise. So, the next time you’re tempted to announce, “This is my year!” pause. Ask yourself: Is it really? Or is this another audition for a role you’ve played too many times before?
Because while words might inspire, only actions get results. And actions? They’re impatient. They don’t wait for Monday or the New Year or some mythical right time. They just do the work—and quietly make you better for it.
Words Have Power 