Do not spur a free horse.
Meaning: Pushing someone already willing to help creates resistance instead of cooperation.
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.
Equivalents in French and Spanish
- French: A bon cheval point d’éperon (literally: Spur not a willing horse)
- Spanish: A caballo que corre, no es menester espuela (literally: For a horse that runs, no spur is needed)
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- Stars are not seen during sunshine. — Greatness becomes invisible when overwhelmed by more dominant presences or circumstances.
- He would starve in a cook-shop. — Incompetence in one's own field ensures failure, even surrounded by abundance and opportu…
- Step by step the ladder is climbed. — Incremental progress through consistent effort achieves what rushing toward ambitious goa…
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From our compliments & insults
- Du hast doch einen Vogel — You're a bit out of your mind.
- Du gehst mir auf den Keks — You're getting on my nerves.
- Schlaumeier — A smart aleck or know-it-all.