ProverbChallengeEnglish origin1546

Ill weeds grow apace.

Meaning: Neglected problems and bad habits flourish faster than good ones require deliberate cultivation.

Origin: John Heywood's 1546 collection has "Ill weed groweth fast," and Shakespeare's Richard III has the young Duke of York repeat his uncle's jibe: "Small herbs have grace, great weeds do grow apace." Worthless things and people thrive with no encouragement at all.

Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Italian, and 2 more languages

  • French: Mauvaise herbe croît toujours (literally: Ill weeds grow apace)
  • Spanish: Mala hierba nunca muere (literally: Bad weeds never die)
  • Japanese: 憎まれっ子世にはばかる (Nikumarekko yo ni habakaru) (literally: The hated child thrives in the world)
  • German: Unkraut vergeht nicht (literally: Weeds do not perish)
  • Italian: La mal erba cresce presto (literally: Ill weeds grow apace)
  • Portuguese: Erva ruim, não a queima a geada (literally: Frost doesn't burn a bad weed)
  • Dutch: Onkruid vergaat niet (literally: Weeds don't perish)

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