Hope is a good breakfast, but a bad supper.
Meaning: Optimism fuels action during the day, but relying solely on wishes without results leaves you empty at day's end.
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 Morality
- A good horse cannot be of a bad colour. — True worth transcends superficial appearance; judge merit by substance, not by external c…
- A good horse often wants a good spur. — Even capable people require motivation or external pressure to perform at their best pote…
- The ignorant think all things wrong which they cannot understand. — Fear of the unfamiliar breeds contempt; incomprehension masquerades as moral judgment in…
- He goes not out of his way that goes to a good inn. — Detours toward virtue are worthwhile journeys, not wasteful deviations from your path.
- He hath a good judgment who is apt to distrust his own. — Self-doubt in judgment reveals wisdom; overconfidence in one's own reasoning breeds folly…
- Just is honest, and honest is just. — Integrity and fairness are inseparable—acting justly requires honesty, and honesty demand…
From our false friends
- Simpatichny (Симпатичный) (Simpatichnyy) — Actually means 'good-looking' or 'likeable'. For sympathetic, say сочувствующий (sochuvst…
- Aktualny (Актуальный) (Aktualnyy) — Actually means 'topical' or 'currently relevant'. For actual (real), say настоящий (nasto…
- Artist (Артист) (Artist) — Actually means 'performer' — an actor, singer or circus artiste. A painter is художник (k…