Home › Proverbs

Climb not too high, lest the fall be the greater.

Meaning: Ambition without caution invites proportional disaster; modest goals protect against catastrophic loss.

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

More proverbs about Wisdom

  • Though the sun shines, leave not your cloak at home. — Unexpectedly harsh conditions can arrive suddenly, so maintain preparedness despite prese…
  • The clock goes as it pleases the clerk. — A servant's negligence or self-interest determines whether essential tasks proceed reliab…
  • Clouds that the sun builds up darken him. — What we create to serve our purposes can ultimately obscure our vision and hinder our goa…
  • Cloudy mornings turn to clear evenings. — Difficult beginnings don't predict final outcomes; patience through hardship often yields…
  • Even a clown clings to his cloak when it rains. — Self-preservation transcends social role; even those who entertain others prioritize surv…
  • Cut your coat according to your cloth. — Live within your financial means rather than spending beyond what you can afford.

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…