Eagles don't catch flies

Meaning: People of high purpose and ambition don't concern themselves with petty matters.

Origin: Latin proverb (Aquila non capit muscas) used by Erasmus in Adagia (1500).

Translations

French: L'aigle ne chasse pas les mouches (literally: The eagle does not hunt flies)
Spanish: El águila no caza moscas (literally: The eagle doesn't hunt flies)
Japanese: 鷲は蠅を捕まえない (Washi wa hae wo tsukamaenai) (literally: An eagle does not catch flies)

You cannot step into the same river twice — Everything is constantly in flux; no experience can ever truly be repeated.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing — Partial knowledge breeds overconfidence and can be more harmful than honest ignorance.
The frog in the well knows not the great ocean — Those with limited experience cannot comprehend the vastness of the wider world.
A good beginning makes a good ending — How you start something largely determines how it will finish; preparation and intention…
He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened — Understanding others requires wisdom, but self-knowledge is the highest form of understan…
Measure twice, cut once — Take time to plan carefully before acting, to avoid costly and irreversible mistakes.

Loading the full interactive collection…