ProverbMoralityGerman origin

Spare in der Zeit, so hast du in der Not

Meaning: Save when times are good so you have something when they're bad.

Literally: Save in good times, and you will have in time of need

Example: “Leg jeden Monat etwas zurück. Spare in der Zeit, so hast du in der Not.” — Put something aside every month: waste not, want not.

Equivalents in English, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch

  • English: Waste not, want not
  • Spanish: Quien guarda, halla (literally: Whoever keeps, finds)
  • Italian: Il risparmio è il miglior guadagno (literally: Saving is the best earning)
  • Dutch: Die wat spaart, die wat heeft (literally: Whoever saves something has something)

Origin: Old German in der Zeit means in good time, while you can.

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