“Good fences make good neighbours”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase Good fences make good neighbours suggests that clear boundaries and the respect for them lead to good relationships between people. It implies that when each party understands and respects boundaries, conflicts are minimized, fostering a more harmonious relationship.
Tone Pragmatic
Where it comes from
The proverb is older than the 20th century, but it is best known from Robert Frost’s poem Mending Wall (1914), in which the speaker’s neighbour repeats it.
Examples
- After Mark put up a new fence around his property, he joked, ‘Well, good fences make good neighbours!’
- Even though Sara and Chris get along well, they believe in the adage that ‘good fences make good neighbours’ to avoid any potential disputes.
- In their small community, everyone respects each other’s space because they understand that good fences make good neighbours.
Spotted a mistake in this article? Tell us