A fool may make money, but a wise man should spend it.
Meaning: Wealth without prudent use becomes meaningless; wisdom lies in strategic, purposeful spending rather than mere accumulation.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
More proverbs about Perseverance
- The morning sun never lasts a day. — Early advantages fade without sustained effort; initial success doesn't guarantee lasting…
- A mother's heart never grows old. — Maternal love remains eternally protective and nurturing regardless of children's age or…
- A good name keeps its lustre in the dark. — Integrity unseen by others still preserves your character's worth and inner value.
- A nimble ninepence is better than a slow shilling. — Quick profit from small ventures outpaces sluggish returns from larger investments.
- The great Homer himself sometimes nods. — Even the most skilled and accomplished people occasionally make mistakes or lose focus.
- Doing nothing is the hardest work. — Idleness demands constant mental struggle against restlessness and guilt, making it parad…
From our idioms
- take the cake — To outdo; to exceed normal behavior; metaphorically, to win the prize.
- upset the apple cart — To disturb the status quo; to shake up the existing situation.
- albatross around one's neck — Something or someone that is a burden and difficult to get rid of.