An unhappy lad may make a good man.

Meaning: Hardship in youth builds character and resilience necessary for adult virtue.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

More proverbs about Morality

• Search others for their virtues, thyself for their faults. — Examine what others do well while ruthlessly cataloging your own shortcomings, reversing…
• He that makes a good war makes a good peace. — Strategic planning and decisive action in conflict create stable, sustainable resolutions.
• Tis pity fair weather should do any harm. — Prosperity and favorable conditions can breed carelessness, making people vulnerable to u…
• A good wife makes a good husband. — A woman's virtuous conduct and support can inspire and elevate her partner's character.
• Wine is the master's, but the goodness is the drawer's. — The quality of wine reflects the skill and care of those who produce it, not merely the o…
• A wink's as good as a nod to a blind horse. — Communication's effectiveness depends on the recipient's ability to perceive, not the sen…

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…