A wise man changes his mind; a fool never.
Meaning: Holding firm to wrong beliefs demonstrates stubbornness, while reconsidering based on new evidence shows genuine wisdom.
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
- A fool may make money, but a wise man should spend it. — Wealth without prudent use becomes meaningless; wisdom lies in strategic, purposeful spen…
- 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.
From our false friends
- Oldtimer — Actually means 'vintage car' or 'classic aircraft'. A veteran person is ein Veteran.
- Camera — Actually means 'room'. A camera (device) is una macchina fotografica.
- Pretendere — Actually means 'to demand' or 'to expect'. Pretende troppo = He demands too much.