He that sows nothing plants thistles.
Meaning: Idleness naturally produces harmful consequences; neglecting to cultivate goodness invites trouble's growth.
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
- The thorn comes forth with his point forwards. — Wickedness announces itself boldly through its inherent nature rather than concealing har…
- He that handles thorns shall prick his fingers. — Careless engagement with dangerous things inevitably causes self-inflicted harm.
- There are more threatened than struck. — More people fear danger than actually experience it; anxiety often exceeds real harm.
- If you make not much of threepence you'll ne'er be worth a groat. — Neglecting small sums leads to poverty; careless management of modest earnings prevents a…
- For what thou canst do thyself rely not on another. — Self-reliance in capable matters preserves your independence and avoids unnecessary oblig…
- Simon Noland, clown, is a better style and title than Humphrey Hadland, gent. — A fool's honest name beats a gentleman's pretense; character matters more than titles.
From our compliments & insults
- Du gehst mir auf den Keks — You're getting on my nerves.
- Schlaumeier — A smart aleck or know-it-all.
- 石頭 (Ishiatama) — A stubborn, inflexible person who won't budge.