Reckless youth makes rueful age.
Meaning: Foolish choices made in youth create regret and hardship that haunts the rest of one's life.
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
- Man reigns and woman rules. — Women exercise subtle, indirect influence over decisions while men hold formal authority…
- Every man to his trade. — Individuals excel when focusing on their own expertise rather than attempting unfamiliar…
- A prophet is not without honor in his own country — Recognition is hardest to win from the people who know you best.
- Blood is thicker than water — Family bonds are stronger than other relationships.
- Birds of a feather flock together — People with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other.
- You can't judge a book by its cover — Appearances can be deceiving.
From our tongue twisters
- Шла Саша по шоссе и сосала сушку. (Shla Sasha po shosse i sosala sushku.) — A merciless 'sh/s/ss' collision — Sasha walking, sucking, and all those sibilants.
- Карл у Клары украл кораллы, Клара у Карла украла кларнет. (Karl u Klary ukral korally, Klara u Karla ukrala klarnet.) — A 'kl/kr/r' drama — crime, countercrimes, and consonant clusters all at once.
- Корабли лавировали, лавировали, да не вылавировали. (Korabli lavirovali, lavirovali, da ne vylavirovali.) — One verb, three inflections, pure 'lav/vir' torture — the word grows with every repetitio…