Faint heart never won a fair lady.

Meaning: Romantic success requires courage; passive timidity guarantees failure in matters of love.

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

Translations

French: Jamais honteux n’eut belle amie (literally: Faint heart never won fair lady)

Keeping from falling is better than helping up. — Prevention of harm requires less effort and causes less suffering than recovery from it.
A famine in England begins at the horse-manger. — Poor grain management for livestock presages broader scarcity throughout the land.
Every one puts his fault on the times. — People habitually blame circumstances and bad luck rather than acknowledging their own re…
Have but few friends, though many acquaintances. — Quality relationships require intentional investment; shallow connections can be numerous…
Get thy spindle and thy distaff ready, and God will send thee flax. — Prepare your tools and skills; opportunity arrives only for those already equipped to sei…
A May flood never did good. — Spring floods destroy crops and infrastructure before harvest, making their destructive p…

Loading the full interactive collection…