ProverbWisdom
English origin
English originAsk thy purse what thou shouldst buy.
Meaning: Let your purse, not your wishes, decide what you can buy.
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.
Explore another collection: Idioms
Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.
- At gå over åen efter vand To do something in a needlessly roundabout way.
- At trække det store læs To do the heavy lifting and carry the work.
- Olla kuin Ellun kanat To live a carefree, comfortable life.
Keep exploring