What is the origin of love many trust few and always paddle your own canoe?

Answer 1

This saying is misquoted, try:

Know many, trust few, learn to paddle your own canoe.

It comes from 2 poems dated 1850's as follows:

Paddle your own Canoe - anonymous, printed in the Wisconsin newspaper The Crawford County Courier, 1852:

My father die, God rest his soul,

When years I numbered two,

And left me 'midst this world alone,

To paddle my own canoe. A step-grand-daddy, now no more,

Taught me my P's and Q.

And ever in my ears he dinned,

You'll paddle your own canoe. My home was no Elysian spot

Of bright and sunny hue,

And therefore I the sooner left,

To paddle my own canoe. And through the world I roamed at large,

O'er land and ocean blue;

And though the struggle oft was hard,

I paddled my own canoe. For thus I argued, man to man,

Is often,times untrue;

Then while with health and strength you're blest

Just paddle your own canoe. As partners in the strife for gain,

Self-interest will pursue;

And leave you with your debts, perhaps,

To paddle your own canoe. And then no sympathy you'll find

From friends who once were true;

They knew you lost when first you ceased

To paddle your own canoe. But I one cherished object sought

And ever kept in view;

A friend of pure unsullied heart,

'To paddle my own canoe. A friend she is in word and deed-

Her interest mine is too;

The twain are one - I still may say,

I paddle my own canoe.

- Paddle Your Own Canoe - Sarah Bolton, 1851

Voyager upon life's sea,

To yourself be true,

And whatever your lot may be,

Paddle your own canoe.

Never, though the winds may rave,

Falter or look back;

But upon the darkest wave

Leave a shining track.

Paddle your own canoe. Nobly dare the wildest storm,

Stem the hardest gale,

Brave of heart and strong of arm

You will never fail.

When the world is cold and dark,

Keep your aim in view;

And toward the beacon work,

Paddle your own canoe. ... ..Would you crush the giant wrong,

In the world's free fight?

With a spirit brave and strong,

Battle for the right.

And to break the chains that bind

The many to the few

To enfranchise slavish mind,-

Paddle your own canoe. Nothing great is lightly won,

Nothing won is lost,

Every good deed, nobly done,

Will repay the cost.

Leave to Heaven, in humble trust,

All you will to do:

But if succeed, you must

Paddle your own canoe. Meaning Act independently and decide your own fate. Origin The figurative meaning of 'padding one's own canoe' began to be used in the early 19th century. This was what was in mind of the author of The Selangor Journal: Jottings Past and Present, 1807, when reporting the lack of community spirit amongst the coffee planters in Malaysia: If the planters would unite and use their united influence they could start a bank to advance money to deserving young planters... but they won't do it. They let each poor fellow paddle his own canoe, and if he capsizes and stretches out his hand in despair for someone to save him... they won't do it.

Answer 2

The lady's name is Valerie Bamber, i think she currently resides in W/Hills Aus.