Understanding “A Miss is as Good as a Mile”
The proverb “A miss is as good as a mile” encapsulates a rather pessimistic, yet practical, truth about effort and failure. It suggests that a near miss is no better than a complete failure. The distance of the miss – whether inches or miles – is irrelevant; the outcome remains the same: a lack of success. It isn’t about minimizing effort, but rather accepting that in many situations, only the result matters.
Origins of the Phrase
The earliest documented appearance of this saying, though slightly different, dates back to William Camden’s Remains of a Greater Worke Concerning Britaine in 1614. Camden penned “An ynche in a misse is as good as an ell.” This initial iteration focused on the small margin of failure being as detrimental as a large one. Over time, the saying evolved. James Kelly’s 1721 Complete Collection of Scottish Proverbs records “An Inch of a miss is as good as a span.”
The modern phrasing, “A miss is as good as a mile,” solidified its place in the English lexicon by the late 18th century. It appears in The American Museum in 1788, becoming widely recognized in its current form. This evolution showcases how proverbs adapt and refine themselves through usage and cultural transmission.
Literary Analysis and Significance
The power of “A miss is as good as a mile” lies in its concise articulation of a complex idea. It speaks to the unforgiving nature of many pursuits – games, competitions, even life goals. The proverb often appears in literature not merely as a statement of fact, but as a commentary on character, fate, or the futility of striving. It can serve as a bleakly realistic counterpoint to more optimistic narratives.
Examining the Phrase in Poetry
Philip Larkin, in his poem As Bad as a Mile, doesn’t directly quote the proverb, but the poem’s theme echoes its sentiment. The poem describes repeated failed attempts at a simple task—throwing an apple into a basket. Larkin emphasizes the frustrating recurrence of failure, regardless of how close the attempts are. The repeated “miss” mirrors the proverb’s assertion that proximity to success is meaningless without actual achievement.
Proverbial Usage in Prose
In Joseph Conrad’s Collected Letters, Volume 4, the proverb appears in a more conversational context. Conrad uses it to downplay a near‑accident, suggesting that even avoiding a collision by a small margin doesn’t lessen the frightening experience. Here, the proverb highlights the psychological impact of failure—the fear and trauma remain regardless of how close one comes to disaster.
Nuance and Variation in Storytelling
Ron Harvey, in “Clothes, Friends and Close Calls,” plays with the proverb, substituting “smile” for “mile.” This alteration introduces a layer of irony and suggests that even a good intention can fall short if it doesn’t achieve its desired outcome. The twist demonstrates the proverb’s flexibility and how authors can adapt it to suit their narrative purposes.
Historical Context and Evolution
A. Wallace, in Popular Saying Dissected, traces the proverb’s potential roots in medieval romances. The suggestion that it may have originated from a comparison between two knights – Amys and Milles – provides insight into its historical evolution and demonstrates how proverbs can be born from specific cultural contexts.
The Phrase as a Literary Device
Beyond its direct use, “A miss is as good as a mile” functions powerfully as a metaphor, simile, or even a form of chiasmus. Its inherent pessimism lends itself to cynical or realistic portrayals of character and circumstance.
Example 1 (Metaphor): “He aimed for glory, but his efforts were a miss as good as a mile; all ambition, no result.” Here, the phrase encapsulates the futility of striving without achieving success.
Example 2 (Simile): “Like a miss as good as a mile, his hopes evaporated with the setting sun.” The simile emphasizes the suddenness and completeness of failure.
Example 3 (Chiasmus): “A miss is as good as a mile, and a mile is as good as a miss.” – a reversed statement that underscores the equivalency of failure, regardless of degree.
Further Considerations
While often negative, the proverb can also serve as a call to action. It implies that half‑measures and near‑successes are insufficient. A complete failure can be a more valuable lesson than a close call, forcing a reassessment of strategy and effort. The proverb doesn’t necessarily advocate for inaction, but rather for a commitment to complete and demonstrable success. Understanding its nuance is key to appreciating its enduring relevance in literature and life.