Proverbs accordingly are somewhat analogous to those medical Formulas which, being in frequent use, are kept ready-made-up in the chemists’ shops, and which often save the framing of a distinct Prescription.

Whately likens proverbs to “stock” medicines: pre-mixed remedies kept on hand because they are commonly needed. The analogy suggests that proverbs function as ready-made counsel—compact, socially validated sayings that can be applied quickly to recurring situations without the effort of crafting a fresh, case-specific judgment. The comparison is double-edged: such formulas can be genuinely useful time-savers, yet they may also encourage intellectual laziness or misapplication when a situation requires a more tailored “prescription.” In this view, proverbial wisdom is practical and portable, but its reliability depends on discerning when a general maxim fits the particulars at hand.