All’s Well That Ends Well

Meaning of “All’s Well That Ends Well”

The proverb “all is well that ends well” or “all’s well that ends well” is used when a person has successfully achieved his or her goal after going through pitfalls and overcoming the obstacles. In simple terms, though the journey is difficult in the end, everything turns out to be good as intended. In other words, it means that if a work is finished is good, then everything is good.

Origin of “All’s Well That Ends Well”

Although this proverb seems to have coined by William Shakespeare, as he has used it as the title of his popular play, it has been found as an odd proverb long before him in The Middle English Dialogue Between Reason and Adversity stated to have been published in 1425 or around.

It is also said that John Heywood, the famous compiler, has used this proverb in A dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the prouerbes in the Englishe tongue, which was published in 1546. It goes:

“They must in all haste, though a leafe of borage
Might by all the substance that they can fell.
Well aunt (quoth Ales) all is well that endes well.”

Examples in Literature

Example #1

All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare

This is one of the famous plays by William Shakespeare. The proverb has been used by Helena, a French-Spanish countess, who demonstrates her love for Bertram. Bertram does not respond to her feelings, and she follows him everywhere. Finally, she reaches the king to offer her services to heal him in return for a marriage to a person she likes. The story moves from a simple love tale to suspense and romance and finally ends with Helena’s and Bertram’s wedding after passing through several interruptions. Hence, the title ‘All’s Well that Ends Well’ suits perfectly to the play.

Example #2

All’s Well That Ends written by Samuel Melo and sung by Rainbow Kitten Surprise

The colder the night, the warmer your hands hold
Held in your arms, the hole in my head grows whole
I don’t want to die alone, but I don’t wanna die at all
I’m not gonna keep you be the phone, dear
Hang up when you’ve had enough
Too much to talk
Call me when you’re coming down, call me when you hang
All is well that ends well, but all is well that ends
Clocks made God from the monsters in my head
Do you wanna know my name
Is that all you want to take from me
In your arms the end is in my eyes
And I don’t want to die in my sleep when you’re left
Call me when you hang and
Call me when you’re left
Call me when you come down
Call me when you hang
I don’t want to die alone, but I don’t wanna die at all
I’m not gonna keep you by the phone dear
Hang up when you’ve had enough
Too much to talk
Call me when you’re coming down, call me when you hang
All is well that ends well, but all is well that ends
Call me when you hang
Call me when you
Hang your head and cry if you like, but all is well that ends

The song is a desperate call for love. The singer gives the girl the freedom to choose while explaining his anguish. He tells her that he does not want to die and would like to keep talking over the phone until she is tired. The writer has used the proverb twice in the verses and repeated it in the same verse with a different twist. However, the meanings stay the same that if she returns to him and calls him, then everything is okay.

Example #3

All’s well, that ends well! – A short story by Hugh Gallagher

He pretended to look cross for a while but could not keep up the pretence for long and smiled.
“Pull me a pint young bartender,” he shouted.
“You don’t mind – really?” asked Sean.
“No, not at all,” he said.
“As a matter of fact I was going to have to lay you off for the next six weeks, anyhow. I came in here to get a pint inside me before I had the nerve to tell you!”
“All’s well, that ends well!” said Emma. “Let’s all have a drink to celebrate, shall we?”
“Make mine an orange,” declared Sean.
“Pour it yourself, son!” cried Mr Brown. “You’re a barman now. Aren’t you!”

Hugh Gallagher used this phrase as the title of his short story which explores the journey of 19-year old, Sean. Sean is an orphan, who visits his future father-in-law, Mr. Brown, to ask for his daughter’s hand. However, he becomes Mr. Brown’s pub employee. Sean was working with a newsagent. However, he sacrifices his career for Emma, Mr. Brown’s daughter. Emma finally says that ‘All’s well, that ends well’ as the couple celebrates their union with Mr. Brown. Here the phrase means that Sean has done well by coming to her father.

Examples in Sentences

Example #1: “All’s well that ends well is almost similar to the line from every fairy tale – everyone lived happily ever after.”

Example #2: “James was late for his wedding. Mary was glad he came. So, all’s well that ends well. Now, James and Mary are one of the best couples in their society.”

Example #3: “Sorry to know about your bike accident. I am glad you are not hurt. All’s well that ends well.”

Example #4: “All’s well that ends well, except for when the middle is not so great. –The Herald Journal.”

Example #5: One of the robbers had a change of heart and helped the police to catch the culprit. So, all’s well that ends well.”