Climb not too high, lest the fall be the greater.
Meaning: Ambition without caution invites proportional disaster; modest goals protect against catastrophic loss.
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 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.
From our compliments & insults
- Sei un salame — You're a clumsy, dopey softie — said with a smile.
- Eres más corto que las mangas de un chaleco — You're not the sharpest — a bit slow on the uptake.
- Du bist nicht die hellste Kerze auf der Torte — You're a little dim — not the smartest in the room.