Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning: Deal with problems only when they arise.
Origin: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow put it into verse in The Golden Legend (1851), and called it old already: "Don't cross the bridge till you come to it, / Is a proverb old, and of excellent wit." The advice is against worrying about problems that may never arrive.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: Chaque chose en son temps (literally: Each thing in its time)
- Spanish: No te preocupes hasta que llegue el momento (literally: Don't worry until the moment arrives)
- Japanese: その時はその時 (Sono toki wa sono toki) (literally: That time is that time)
- German: Kommt die Zeit, kommt der Rat (literally: When the time comes, the counsel comes)
More proverbs about Wisdom
- All roads lead to Rome — There are many ways to reach the same goal.
- You're never too old to learn — Learning is a lifelong process.
- There's no such thing as a free lunch — Everything has a hidden cost.
- Hope for the best, prepare for the worst — Optimism should be balanced with practical preparation.
- Don't make a mountain out of a molehill — Don't exaggerate small problems.
- The grass withers, the flower fades — All worldly things are temporary.
From our idioms
- faire la fortune de quelqu'un — Bringing great wealth or success to another person.
- avoir une langue de vipère — Speaking maliciously, spreading rumors, or being verbally cruel.
- être sur la brèche — Being actively engaged in battle or difficult work.