A man may lose his goods for want of demanding them.
Meaning: Passivity in protecting one's own interests invites others to encroach upon or deny rightful claims.
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 Morality
- God reacheth us good things with our own hands. — Our own efforts transform divine blessings into tangible benefits we can truly possess.
- A hand-saw is a good thing, but not to shave with. — Tools excel within their intended purpose; misusing the right tool for the wrong task cau…
- Tis safe riding in a good haven. — Safe harbor provides security; choosing trustworthy circumstances or companions protects…
- Good take heed doth surely speed. — Careful attention to detail accelerates progress rather than hindering it.
- To fright a hind is not the way to catch her. — Startling prey destroys the very conditions needed for capture; force alienates what pati…
- Honesty is the best policy; but he who acts on this principle is not an honest man. — Truly honest people don't practice honesty as calculated strategy; they act righteously r…
From our tongue twisters
- De koetsier poetst de postkoets met postkoetspoets. — Turns on the gap between the Dutch 'oe' and 'o', with a run of 'ts' and 'p' stops layered…
- Wij smachten naar achtentachtig prachtige nachten. — Five words carrying the Dutch guttural 'cht', the sound foreigners find hardest to produc…
- Liesje leerde Lotje lopen langs de lange Lindelaan. — Eight consecutive l-words, with the vowel behind the l changing every time.