“There is little chance that meteorologists can solve the mysteries of weather until they gain an understanding of the mutual attraction of rain and weekends.”
Arnot Sheppard
quolira
quolira.com
Give a man a fish and he has food for a day. Teach him how to fish and you can get rid of him for the entire weekend.
1189 / 1404
Who said it?
Often credited to Zenna Schaffer, but the attribution is doubtful. A variant of an old proverb; no documented source names Zenna Schaffer as its author.
A sharp twist on a well-worn proverb, this line is less about fish and more about the real purpose of a free weekend: disappearing into what you love, guilt-free.
More misattributed quotes · How we verify quotes
From the collection: 9 Saturday Quotes That Make the Weekend Feel Like a Gift
About this quote
Meaning
This quote contrasts a short-term gift with a lasting skill, suggesting that teaching someone how to do something is more valuable than doing it for them. It also carries a humorous twist about independence. The core idea is that capability outlasts a single favor.
Origin
The quote is a playful variant of an old proverb about giving fish versus teaching fishing. Versions of that saying have circulated for a long time, and one form is often traced to an older Chinese source, though that trace is not firmly documented. The weekend joke appears to be a modern addition. The name Zenna Schaffer is attached to this version online, but no verified source confirms that she wrote it or first said it, so the attribution should be treated as unsupported.
Why it resonates
The proverb speaks to a widely shared experience of wanting to help others in ways that actually last. Teaching builds confidence and self-reliance, while simply providing answers can create ongoing dependence. The added humor makes the message lighter, turning a lesson about mentorship into a relatable comment on the weekend. It works well in conversations about parenting, training, or teamwork, where empowering someone matters more than handing them a result.
Frequently asked questions
Who said "Give a man a fish and he has food for a day. Teach him how to fish an…"?
Often credited to Zenna Schaffer, but the attribution is doubtful. A variant of an old proverb; no documented source names Zenna Schaffer as its author.
What does "Give a man a fish and he has food for a day. Teach him how to fish an…" mean?
This quote contrasts a short-term gift with a lasting skill, suggesting that teaching someone how to do something is more valuable than doing it for them.
Up next
“I don't fear any opponent. Every opponent fears me.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic · Widely cited interview
“I was born to play football, just as Beethoven was born to write music.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic · I Am Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 2011
“I have played for the biggest clubs in the world, I want to play for the biggest club in America.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic · On joining LA Galaxy, March 2018
“I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I don't do auditions.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic · Attributed to trial request, widely reported
“When you buy me, you are buying a Ferrari. If you drive a Ferrari, you put premium fuel in it. You don't put in the wrong fuel.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic · I Am Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 2011
“There is only one Zlatan.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic · Widely cited, multiple interviews
“I'm not a normal person, I'm a special person.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic · Interview, widely cited
“You bought me to score goals, not to play football.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic · To a manager during his career, widely reported
“I don't need a trophy to tell me who I am.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
“An injured Zlatan is still better than a fit Zlatan.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic · Press conference, 2012
“I came like a king, left like a legend.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic · On leaving Paris Saint-Germain, 2016
