Birds of prey do not sing.
Meaning: Predators focused on survival through action lack leisure for beautiful expression or social performance.
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
- Pry not into other people's affairs. — Meddling in others' business breeds conflict and wastes energy better spent on your own c…
- Many without punishment, none without sin. — Without accountability, wrongdoing flourishes; perfection remains impossible for all mort…
- A ragged colt may make a good horse. — Unpromising beginnings don't determine a creature's potential; proper care and time can t…
- The receiver is as bad as the thief. — Accepting stolen goods makes you complicit in the crime, not merely a passive bystander.
- A good recorder sets all in order. — Skilled documentation prevents chaos by creating a clear, retrievable record of facts and…
- Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth. — Genuine charity requires secrecy; publicizing generosity corrupts its moral purpose into…
From our compliments & insults
- 눈치가 없다 (nunchi ga eopda) — Hopelessly socially oblivious — can't pick up on emotional cues, awkward silences, or uns…
- حمار (ḥimār) — A stubborn fool — the donkey being the universal symbol of obstinacy in Arabic culture.
- Je bent een kanjer — You're a star — a champ and a wonderful person.