No man can flay a stone.
Meaning: Attempting the impossible wastes effort; some things resist all effort by their very nature.
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 Human Nature
- A fool may give a wise man counsel. — Even those lacking judgment can occasionally offer valuable advice through chance or simp…
- Every man is either a fool or a physician after thirty years of age. — Experience either teaches you wisdom or your ignorance becomes permanent folly by middle…
- An old fool is the worst of fools. — Inexperience excuses foolishness; years of repeating mistakes demonstrate willful ignoran…
- Better it is to meet a bear bereaved of her whelps, than a fool in his folly. — Confronting a dangerous animal is safer than engaging with someone determined to persist…
- As the fool thinks, so the bell chinks. — A fool's actions produce predictable, hollow results—noise without substance or deeper me…
- Fools set stools for wise folk to stumble at. — Foolish people create obstacles that even intelligent ones may trip over through careless…
From our compliments & insults
- Você é um amor — You're a sweetheart — warm, caring, and impossible not to like.
- Você tem muita garra — You have fierce, relentless determination — you claw your way through any obstacle.
- Ты умница (ty umnitsa) — You're bright, clever, and admirable — said warmly of someone who handles things well.