Good afternoon everyone. I’m here today to talk to you about a famous proverb – “the more things change, the more they are the same.”
The Meaning of the Proverb
This proverb is used to describe situations in which people experience changes, but the same events and experiences happen repeatedly. For example, no matter how much you think you have changed, you may still make the same decisions and find yourself in the same situations. Another interpretation is that although technology and society have changed drastically over time, the basic experiences and struggles of life remain the same.
Examples in History
This proverb can be seen throughout history. For example, in the early 1800s, the Industrial Revolution caused a major shift in the economy. Suddenly, machines and factories replaced manual labor and changed the way people worked. However, the basic struggles of life, such as finding work, providing for a family, and having a good quality of life, remained the same.
Another example is the invention of the internet in the late 1900s. This technology changed the way people communicate and obtain information. Despite the advances in technology, the basic needs of people remain the same – food, shelter, safety, and love.
Anecdote
I’d like to share an anecdote with you. When I graduated from college, I was eager to start my career. I was determined to make a name for myself and was confident that I could make a great impact. After a few months in the working world, I realized that I was making the same mistakes I had made in college – procrastinating and not taking initiative. At that moment, I realized that “the more things change, the more they are the same.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the proverb “the more things change, the more they are the same” is used to describe situations in which people experience changes, but the same events and experiences happen repeatedly. This proverb has been seen throughout history and can be applied to our daily lives. Change can be scary, but it is important to remember that our basic needs and struggles remain the same.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Feedback for the Speaker
I appreciate your speech about the proverb, “the more things change, the more they are the same.” You effectively showed the meaning of the proverb and provided examples of how it can be seen throughout history. You also shared a personal anecdote to illustrate the proverb’s relevance in our daily lives.
Strengths:
1. Content: You included relevant examples and anecdotes to clearly explain the proverb and its relevance. This allowed you to effectively convey the meaning of the proverb and how it is applicable to our lives.
2. Message: You effectively used the proverb and its examples to demonstrate the idea that change can be scary, but it is important to remember that our basic needs and struggles remain the same.
3. Structure: Your speech was well structured. You started with the meaning of the proverb, and then provided examples of how it can be seen throughout history, followed by an anecdote and then a conclusion. This helped keep your audience engaged and ensured that all the points you wanted to make were addressed.
Areas of Improvement:
1. Language: The language used was appropriate for the topic, but there were some instances where you could have used more powerful vocabulary to better convey the message. For example, rather than using the word “struggles”, you could have used a more powerful synonym like “hardships”.
2. Message: You could have focused more on how the proverb relates to current events. For example, you could have discussed how the proverb applies to the current pandemic, or how social media has changed the way people communicate and obtain information, but the same basic needs of people remain the same.
Overall, your speech was well-structured and effective in conveying the message. With a few tweaks to the language and further discussion on current events, your speech can be even better. Keep up the good work!