Children are certain cares, but very uncertain comforts.

Meaning: Parenting demands unwavering responsibility while offspring's gratitude and success remain perpetually unpredictable.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

More proverbs about Human Nature

Children suck the mother when they are young, and the father when they are old. — Offspring depend on maternal care initially, then seek paternal resources and guidance as…
It's not the gay coat that makes the gentleman. — Fine clothing cannot manufacture character; true gentility emerges from conduct and virtu…
Who goes worse shod than the cobbler's wife? — A craftsman's family often lacks what he could provide, neglecting loved ones while servi…
I'll not change a cottage in possession for a kingdom in reversion. — Keeping what you securely own now matters more than chasing uncertain future rewards.
Don't cry out before you're hurt. — Avoid raising alarms or expressing distress prematurely when danger hasn't actually mater…
Once a use and ever a custom. — Repeated actions solidify into habits that become difficult to break or question.

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