Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind
Meaning: Reckless or harmful actions return with amplified destructive consequences, not proportional damage.
Origin: From the Book of Hosea (8:7), where the prophet warns Israel that its idolatry will bring disaster: "They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." Wrongdoing, it says, comes back magnified.
More proverbs about Wisdom
- Tall oaks from little acorns grow — Small beginnings accumulate into significant achievements through time and consistent dev…
- That's the way the mop flops — When circumstances fall unpredictably, accept them without complaint rather than resist i…
- The dogs bark, but the caravan goes on — Indifferent to critics' noise, those with purpose continue their journey undeterred.
- The game is not worth the candle — Pursuing a goal costs more in effort or money than any benefit you'll actually gain from…
- The Lord helps those that help themselves — Self-directed effort attracts divine favor; passivity alone cannot substitute for persona…
- The more one learns about people, the more one likes one's pet — Familiarity with human flaws makes the unconditional loyalty of animals more precious.
From our compliments & insults
- У тебя золотые руки (u tebya zolotye ruki) — You're extraordinarily skilled — able to make or fix anything with your hands.
- T'as pas inventé le fil à couper le beurre — You're not exactly a genius — the wire to cut butter is about the most obvious tool imagi…
- Tête de mule — An impossibly stubborn person who refuses to change their mind no matter what.