Fools build houses, and wise men buy them.
Meaning: Shrewd investors profit from others' labor and mistakes rather than bearing construction costs themselves.
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.
More proverbs about Human Nature
- Every man is the architect of his fortune. — Individual choices and actions, not circumstance, determine the outcomes and success one…
- When fortune smiles take the advantage. — Seize opportunities promptly when circumstances favor you, as favorable conditions are te…
- Fortune knocks once at least at every man's gate. — Opportunity arrives for everyone eventually; recognizing and seizing that moment determin…
- So many frosts in March, so many in May. — Late spring frosts arrive proportionally to early spring cold spells, making March weathe…
- Frugality makes an easy chair for old age. — Spending restraint in youth builds financial security and comfort during elderly years wh…
- A man of gladness seldom falls into madness. — Sustained cheerfulness builds psychological resilience against despair and mental deterio…
From our tongue twisters
- 隣の客はよく柿食う客だ (Tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kuu kyaku da) — A tricky spiral on ka/ki/ku that accelerates as you try to keep the syllables distinct.
- Como poco coco como, poco coco compro. — A bouncy 'co' drill — the word order and meaning flip with each repetition.
- Pepe Pecas pica papas con un pico. ¿Con qué pico pica papas Pepe Pecas? — A bouncy 'p' cluster that accelerates with the question at the end.