Can't live with them, can't live without them
Meaning: Close relationships require tolerating incompatibility because isolation from others is unbearable.
Origin: The complaint is ancient: the Roman statesman Metellus Numidicus told the Roman people, in a speech quoted by Aulus Gellius, that men can neither live comfortably with wives nor live without them. The modern catchphrase is often credited to Erasmus, but without a source.
More proverbs about Wisdom
- Christmas comes but once a year — Rare opportunities demand we cherish them fully rather than postpone joy or neglect what…
- Cool heads must prevail — Rational thinking, not emotional impulse, resolves conflicts and prevents disaster.
- Dance with the one that brung ya — Loyalty to those who supported you initially matters more than chasing new opportunities.
- Even Homer nods — The English translation Homer nods has become standard following Pope (1709), but is due…
- Every Jack has his Jill — Everyone eventually finds a compatible romantic partner, regardless of their circumstance…
- Everything happens for a reason — Life's setbacks contain hidden purposes that may only become clear with time and reflecti…
From our tongue twisters
- 坊主が屏風に上手に坊主の絵を描いた (Bōzu ga byōbu ni jōzu ni bōzu no e o kaita) — A sustained 'b' and long-vowel drill — bōzu/byōbu/jōzu demand precise mouth control.
- 隣の客はよく柿食う客だ (Tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kuu kyaku da) — A tricky spiral on ka/ki/ku that accelerates as you try to keep the syllables distinct.
- Como poco coco como, poco coco compro. — A bouncy 'co' drill — the word order and meaning flip with each repetition.