Ill gotten gains seldom prosper.
Meaning: Money acquired through dishonesty typically brings misfortune or fails to provide lasting benefit.
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 Challenge
- Ill weeds grow apace. — Neglected problems and bad habits flourish faster than good ones require deliberate culti…
- Impudence is not courage. — Boldly speaking without thought or respect differs fundamentally from bravery rooted in c…
- Kindness will always conquer. — Consistent gentleness disarms resistance and achieves goals where force and aggression ul…
- Like will to like. — People naturally gravitate toward and trust those who share their values, interests, or c…
- What is worse than ill-luck? — I need the complete proverb to provide an accurate interpretation. Could you share the fu…
- Doing nothing is doing ill. — Idleness itself becomes harmful; inaction allows problems to fester and opportunities to…
From our idioms
- Aux quatre coins de — All over; in every part of a place.
- Frappé au coin du bon sens — Manifestly sensible; bearing the stamp of sound judgment.
- Collet monté — Prim, stiff and old-fashioned in manner.