We have an interesting topic. And, first of all, the fact that many, according to their modern ideas, can endow a word not with the meaning that it had originally. In order not to get lost in the diversity of opinions, there are dictionaries and other wise books. We will analyze the word "wretched." It will be entertaining.
Origin
It is believed that the wretched is a man whom God warmed on his broad chest. In this case, we cannot give a link to the source, because this is a rumor, the basis of which is the modern meaning of words. But, apparently, the guilt of healthy people to the sick or rich to the poor plays a role here. And I want to say to those who are not so lucky: "Yes, you do not have something, but God is with you." It’s hard to say how much this consolation works. Probably, it acts only on those who are trying to reassure themselves in this way.
The etymological dictionary does not set itself such a task, but, nevertheless, it voluntarily or involuntarily breaks illusions. This source captures the following information: the word God once used to mean "wealth." "U" symbolizes the negation of the sign. That is, the original meaning of the word "wretched" is "deprived of wealth." And then, as you can understand, variations on the topic are possible. Either this is a poor man, or this is a weak man, sick. In any case, an explanatory dictionary will help us to clarify the meaning.
Value
Despite the outdated fleur, the general meaning of the word “wretched” is clear to everyone. True, in everyday speech he is given a slightly different meaning than the one that is enshrined in the dictionary, although deviations are insignificant. For example, we can call the situation in an apartment or house that we don’t like poor, but it may not have anything to do with poverty. We can call someone's taste wretched. All this will be a free interpretation, which is related to the dictionary meaning, but only indirectly.
In order not to make such mistakes (although, in principle, they are acceptable), let's look at the official meaning of the object of study:
- Extremely poor, beggarly.
- Weak, crippled, miserable in appearance.
As you can see, the word has no connection with beauty. These are the latest neoplasms. But we will not say that wretched is only so, and nothing else. If the meanings in the language remain, then they have a right to exist. Moreover, you can always turn out and connect the aesthetic addictions of a person with the financial situation of another.
Not clear, huh? One person finds something ugly because he considers it too poor. For example, we say “wretched clothes” and make it clear that we do not like them, although in reality this is a matter of price. If such a “criticism” were told that this is the last peep of Milanese fashion, and the outfit itself was bought in Italy, he would immediately find some undoubted advantages of appearance. This topic gives rise to other interesting conclusions, but we will leave them aside, because there is no time and no place here. But it is worth saying that the use of the adjective "wretched" is an excellent rapid test for stereotyping of thinking.
Synonyms
We have returned the original meaning of the described word. Now you can slightly “modernize” it, that is, select adjectives that, if necessary, replace the object of study. Well, let's do it:
- scarce;
- miserable;
- beggar;
- insufficient;
- scanty;
- not rich;
- nondescript.
By the way, synonyms suggest yet another meaning that we have not yet covered: “meager” or “insufficient”. And in this sense, anything can be wretched. Suppose a meal that is not rich in vitamins can be called wretched.
But still, if we are talking about a wretched person, this is most likely either a financial or physical characteristic. That is, someone is either poor or sick.
Weakness as strength
Now it is generally accepted that the weak - wretched - to be shameful. Everyone should try their best to climb conditional Everest in order to be no worse than a neighbor. But a calm attitude to their own shortcomings gives much more than the love and reverence of others. Moreover, in the weakness the potential of strength is hidden, and the strong has nothing to strive for.
There are no perfect people. They are perfect only in the coordinate system in which they are located, and if they change jobs, for example, or something else is transformed, then they can become weak.
What are the benefits of weakness?
- They don’t expect anything from a person.
- Nothing presses him.
- He's free.
And after reading this list, you can reflect on the ambiguity of the strengths and weaknesses of man.