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If the mountain will not go to Mahomet, let Mahomet go to the mountain.

Meaning: When obstacles won't move, adapt your approach rather than exhaust yourself demanding change.

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

Translations

  • Spanish: Si no va el otero á Mahoma, vaya Mahoma al otero (literally: If the mountain will not go to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain)

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