ProverbWisdom
Latin origin
Latin originCan'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.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- 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.
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