If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Meaning: Wishing alone accomplishes nothing; only action and resources transform desire into reality.
Origin: It grew in stages. William Camden's Remaines (1605) has "If wishes were thrushes, beggars would eat birds"; James Carmichael's Scottish proverbs of 1628 brought in the horses, for poor men; and James Kelly's collection of 1721 gives the wording used today. It later became a nursery rhyme. If wanting were enough, everyone would have what they want; since it is not, wishing achieves nothing.
More proverbs about Wisdom
- Wit is the lightning of the mind. — Sudden brilliance illuminates truth instantly, but like lightning, its flash vanishes qui…
- You may truss up all his wit in an egg-shell. — Wit confined to theoretical cleverness without practical application remains insignifican…
- Wit may be bought too dear. — Cleverness obtained through deception, betrayal, or moral compromise exacts a hidden cost…
- He that lives upon his wits, breaks for want of stock. — A person relying solely on cleverness without resources or preparation will eventually fa…
- Wolves lose their teeth, but not their memory. — Even when weakened by age, enemies retain grudges and cunning, remaining dangerous throug…
- A wonder lasts but nine days. — Public fascination with novelty inevitably fades as the extraordinary becomes familiar an…
From our idioms
- under the table — Secretly or illegally.
- under the wire — Just in time before a deadline.
- up in arms — Angry or upset.