Brag's a good dog, but that he hath lost his tail.
Meaning: Boasting loses you the respect that makes bragging worthwhile in the first place.
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
- Brag's a good dog if he be well set on; but he dare not bite. — Empty boasting lacks substance—confidence unsupported by real ability cannot sustain itse…
- Business is the salt of life. — Commerce and productive work preserve society's vitality, preventing the staleness and de…
- A bad bush is better than the open field. — Imperfect shelter still protects you better than standing completely exposed to danger.
- A child may have too much of his mother's blessing. — Excessive maternal indulgence weakens a child's resilience and capacity for independent g…
- Tis the clerk makes the justice. — A skilled administrator or clerk can effectively shape legal outcomes through their knowl…
- A merry companion on the road is as good as a nag. — Good company during tedious travel makes the journey feel shorter and less burdensome.
From our untranslatable words
- Dépaysement — The disorienting yet often pleasant feeling of being far from home, immersed in the unfam…
- Flâner — To wander a city slowly and aimlessly, savouring it with no destination in mind — the art…
- Retrouvailles — The joy of reuniting with someone after a long time apart.