Don't cut your nose off to spite your face.

Meaning: Self-destructive revenge harms you more than your enemy.

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

More proverbs about Wisdom

• Who spits against the wind spits in his own face. — Careless antagonism inevitably harms the aggressor more than the intended target.
• Spoil not the ship for a penn'orth of tar. — Neglecting small, inexpensive preventive measures risks losing something far more valuabl…
• It's poor sport that is not worth the candle. — Endeavors requiring more resources than their rewards provide are not worthwhile pursuits.
• Rich men's spots are covered with money. — Wealth allows the privileged to hide their flaws and escape consequences that ordinary pe…
• Throw a sprat to catch a whale. — Small initial sacrifices yield disproportionately larger gains when investments are strat…
• Do not spur a free horse. — Pushing someone already willing to help creates resistance instead of cooperation.

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