Out of sight, out of mind.
Procul ex oculis, procul ex mente.
Meaning and origin
The proverb "Out of sight, out of mind" suggests that people tend to forget or lose interest in things that are not immediately visible or present. In other words, when something or someone is no longer in one's line of sight or attention, it is easily forgotten or ignored.
The origin of this proverb can be traced back to ancient times, and variations of it can be found in different cultures. The idea behind the saying is a common aspect of human psychology – the tendency to focus on what is currently in our awareness and to overlook things that are not actively perceived. The proverb has been used in literature and conversation to convey the notion that absence can lead to forgetfulness or a lack of consideration.
Proverbs on a similar topic
- Like to like.
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
- A friend in need is a friend indeed.
- Love will find out the way.
- Love me, love my dog.
- There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.
- Good fences make good neighbours.
- A friend in the market is better than money in the chest.
- He gives twice who gives quickly.
- Lend your money and lose your friend.
- Old love will not be forgotten.
- Love and a cough cannot be hid.
- Dog does not eat dog.
- Look not a gift horse in the mouth.
- A burden of one's own choice is not felt.
- Old friends are better than new ones.
- In time of prosperity, friends will be plenty; in time of adversity, not one amongst twenty.
- Love cannot be compelled.
- There is honour among thieves.
- Every cook praises his own broth.
- He that has a full purse never wanted a friend.
- Hawks will not pick out hawks' eyes.
- Even reckoning makes long friends.
- Fair is not fair, but that which pleaseth.
- All one's geese are swans.
- Friends may meet, but mountains never greet.
- The bird loves her nest.
- Small gifts keep friendship alive.
- Weight and measure take away strife.
- Lovers' tiffs are harmless.
Related proverbs
Similar proverbs in the same language
English
- What you don't know, can't hurt you.
- What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.
- Far from eye, far from heart.
- Long absent, soon forgotten.
Equal proverbs in another language
Latin
- Procul ex oculis, procul ex mente. Out of sight, out of mind.
French
- Loin des yeux, loin du coeur. Out of sight, out of mind.
German
- Aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn. Out of sight, out of mind.
Czech
- Sejde z očí, sejde z mysli. Out of sight, out of mind.
Similar proverbs in another language
Latin
- Quod non videt oculus, cor non dolet. What the eye does not see, the heart does not ache.
- Quam procul ex oculis, tam procul ex animo. As far from the eyes, so far from the mind.
- Quae non cernuntur oculis, leve corde feruntur. What is not seen by the eyes, is carried by the light heart.
- Quantum oculis, animo procul ibit amor. Love will go as far as the eyes, the heart.
French
- Qui est éloigné de l'oeil il est éloigné du coeur. Who is far from the eye is far from the heart.
- Coeur oublie ce qu'oeil ne voit. Heart forgets what eye cannot see.
- On oublie aisément les absents. It's easy to forget who's not there.
German
- Trennung ist der Liebe Tod. Separation is the death of love.
- Lieb' ohne Gesicht, gar leicht zerbricht. Love without a face, so easily broken.
- Ab Auge, ab Herz. From eye, from heart.
Czech
- Z očí — z mysli. Out of sight - out of mind.
- Co sejde z očí, to vyjde ze srdce. What goes out of the eyes comes out of the heart.
- Jak dlouho na očích, tak dlouho na mysli. As long in sight, as long in mind.