Pater-noster built churches, and Our Father pulls them down.
Meaning: Reciting prayers alone, without genuine faith or action, cannot sustain what was built through sincere devotion.
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
- Climb not too high, lest the fall be the greater. — Ambition without caution invites proportional disaster; modest goals protect against cata…
- Though the sun shines, leave not your cloak at home. — Unexpectedly harsh conditions can arrive suddenly, so maintain preparedness despite prese…
- The clock goes as it pleases the clerk. — A servant's negligence or self-interest determines whether essential tasks proceed reliab…
- Clouds that the sun builds up darken him. — What we create to serve our purposes can ultimately obscure our vision and hinder our goa…
- Cloudy mornings turn to clear evenings. — Difficult beginnings don't predict final outcomes; patience through hardship often yields…
- Even a clown clings to his cloak when it rains. — Self-preservation transcends social role; even those who entertain others prioritize surv…
From our compliments & insults
- Χρυσό μου (Chrysó mou) — My darling — a tender term of endearment.
- Sei un fenomeno — You're amazing — exceptionally good at what you do.
- Eres la leche — You're the best — absolutely fantastic.