This episode introduces familiar sayings about affection and relationships. The guide treats them as cultural expressions rather than reliable rules for judging people or deciding what is fair.

Cultural note: “Love is blind” can describe idealizing a partner, but it should not excuse controlling or harmful behavior. “All is fair in love and war” is an old saying, not ethical permission to deceive or harm someone. The source’s advice about winning a man’s heart through food reflects an outdated gender stereotype, so it is omitted.

Keep exploringA proverb can sound confident without being good advice—these relationship sayings are a useful place to notice the difference.

Phrase guide · 3 expressions

Explore the expressions

Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.

Fairness in relationships

Recognize an old saying that can excuse unfair behavior if taken literally.

Recognition caution

all is fair in love and war

Meaning

A traditional saying that claims almost any action is acceptable when pursuing love or winning a conflict.

Tone & use

Often used ironically or to justify selfish behavior. It is not ethical permission to deceive, pressure, or harm another person.

Example

“He joked that all was fair in love and war, but his friends reminded him that honesty still mattered.”

NegativeProverb / cautionary

Do not use this proverb to excuse coercion, deception, or harm.

Affection and judgment

A proverb about how love can affect what someone notices.

Recognition caution

love is blind

Meaning

Strong affection may make someone overlook another person’s faults or behavior.

Tone & use

A traditional saying, not a judgment about every relationship. Never use it to minimize signs of harm or pressure someone to ignore their concerns.

Example

“Her friends worried that love was blind, so they asked whether she felt respected and safe.”

NeutralProverb / figurative

Do not use this phrase to excuse abuse, coercion, or unsafe behavior.

Things coming to an end

A familiar way to acknowledge that positive experiences do not last forever.

all good things must come to an end

Meaning

Pleasant experiences eventually finish.

Tone & use

A familiar, sometimes resigned phrase. It can sound dismissive if someone is grieving a major change.

Example

“The visiting musicians left after a wonderful week; all good things must come to an end.”

NeutralProverb / conversational

Knowledge check

Try it

Choose the expression that best fits each situation.

Try it · Choose the best expression

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Love and Fairness in Traditional Proverbs

Words and Their Stories · ≈5 min

Explore the expressions

Fairness in relationships

all is fair in love and war

Affection and judgment

love is blind

Things coming to an end

all good things must come to an end

Try it

A person says that cheating is acceptable because they are competing for someone’s affection. Which phrase might they misuse to defend that choice?