One barber shaves not so close but another finds work.
Meaning: No matter how thoroughly one person completes a task, imperfection always remains for others to profit from.
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 Perseverance
- Commend a wedded life, but keep thyself a batchelor. — Marry others off while preserving your own freedom from domestic obligations and constrai…
- A beggar can never be bankrupt. — Those with nothing left to lose possess freedom from financial ruin's fear.
- The beggar is never out of his way. — A person with nothing to lose can afford to take any detour or accept any opportunity wit…
- Such a beginning, such an end. — Initial choices and conditions fundamentally shape ultimate outcomes; how things start de…
- Good to begin well; better to end well. — Sustained effort matters more than initial enthusiasm; completion demonstrates true commi…
- Bend the twig while it is young. — Early correction of a child's character or habits proves far more effective than attempti…
From our tongue twisters
- Liesje leerde Lotje lopen langs de lange Lindelaan. — Eight consecutive l-words, with the vowel behind the l changing every time.
- なまむぎ なまごめ なまたまご (Nama mugi, nama gome, nama tamago) — A nimble warm-up for the Japanese 'na / ma / ge' syllables.
- Pablito clavó un clavito, ¿qué clavito clavó Pablito? — A bouncy drill on the 'cl' cluster.