He that gropes in the dark finds that he would not.
Meaning: Blind searching without guidance leads to unwanted discoveries rather than intended ones.
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 Wisdom
- It's a wicked thing to make a dearth one's garner. — Hoarding grain during scarcity exploits others' hunger for personal profit, compounding c…
- Death is deaf and hears no denial. — Mortality cannot be negotiated with or postponed, regardless of protests or refusal to ac…
- In the deepest water is the best fishing. — Seeking worthwhile rewards requires venturing into difficult, risky, or challenging circu…
- A life spent worthily should be measured by deeds--not years. — Meaningful living accrues through consequential actions, rendering chronological age irre…
- Hanging and wiving go by destiny. — Marriage and execution are equally inevitable forces beyond individual control or choice.
- St. Bartholomew brings the cold dew. — Summer's end arrives when this saint's feast day comes, marking autumn's approach and coo…
From our false friends
- Firma — Actually means 'signature'. Metti la tua firma = Put your signature here.
- Magazzino — Actually means 'warehouse' or 'storeroom'. A magazine (periodical) is una rivista.
- Conveniente — Actually means 'affordable', 'good value', or 'suitable'. È conveniente = It's a good dea…