No sunshine but hath some shadow.
Meaning: Even the brightest circumstances contain unavoidable difficulties or imperfections.
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 Wisdom
- One swallow does not make a summer. — A single favorable occurrence cannot establish a lasting pattern; sustained evidence requ…
- One swallow makes not a spring, nor one woodcock a winter. — A single favorable occurrence cannot establish a pattern; sustained evidence is needed to…
- They have need of a besom that sweep the house with a turf. — Using inadequate tools wastes effort; poor implements cannot accomplish their intended pu…
- He must needs swim that's held up by the chin. — Desperation forces you to learn survival skills you'd never develop in safety or comfort.
- Remove the tale-bearer and contention ceaseth. — Silencing gossip's source eliminates the conflict it generates among those previously div…
- To him that hath lost his taste, sweet is sour. — Loss of perspective inverts our values; deprivation corrupts even formerly cherished plea…
From our false friends
- Oldtimer — Actually means 'vintage car' or 'classic aircraft'. A veteran person is ein Veteran.
- Camera — Actually means 'room'. A camera (device) is una macchina fotografica.
- Pretendere — Actually means 'to demand' or 'to expect'. Pretende troppo = He demands too much.