Home › Proverbs

Hunger makes hard bones sweet beans.

Meaning: Desperation transforms what we'd normally reject into something we gratefully accept.

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

More proverbs about Perseverance

  • Be a good husband, and you will get a penny to spend, a penny to lend, and a penny for a friend. — Prudent household management creates surplus wealth to share generously with others while…
  • An idle brain is the devil's workshop. — Unoccupied minds naturally drift toward mischief and destructive thoughts rather than pro…
  • God never measures men by inches. — Height matters less than character; true worth is invisible to the eye.
  • Industry is fortune's right hand and frugality her left. — Hard work and careful spending together create wealth; neither alone suffices.
  • Better lose a jest than a friend. — Sacrificing a humorous quip protects valued relationships that require more care than mom…
  • Tis a great journey to the world's end. — Long journeys require patience and persistence; ambitious goals demand sustained effort o…

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…