The brain that sows not corn, plants thistles.
Meaning: Idleness breeds destructive habits; a mind unused for constructive purpose defaults to harmful preoccupations.
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
- He who would have a hare for breakfast must hunt over night. — Success requires preparation and effort before the moment of need arrives.
- Brevity is the soul of wit. — Sharp minds compress meaning into few words; excess dulls the blade of cleverness.
- As you brew, so shall you bake. — Careless preparation in one step inevitably ruins the final product, however carefully yo…
- There is no deceit in a brimmer. — A full cup offered openly invites honest scrutiny and leaves no room for hidden dealings…
- A broken leg is not healed by a silk stocking. — Expensive remedies cannot substitute for proper treatment of fundamental problems.
- A burden which one chooses is not felt. — Willingly undertaken hardships feel lighter than those imposed against your will.
From our compliments & insults
- Dickkopf — A pig-headed, unyielding person — their skull is so thick no new idea can penetrate it.
- 空気が読めない (kūki ga yomenai) — Completely oblivious to the unspoken social mood — the person who kills the atmosphere wi…
- 눈치가 없다 (nunchi ga eopda) — Hopelessly socially oblivious — can't pick up on emotional cues, awkward silences, or uns…