The clock goes as it pleases the clerk.
Meaning: A servant's negligence or self-interest determines whether essential tasks proceed reliably or falter.
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
- 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…
- Cut your coat according to your cloth. — Live within your financial means rather than spending beyond what you can afford.
- Let not the cobbler go beyond his last. — Each person works best within their area of expertise; overstepping into unfamiliar domai…
- The cock crows and the hen goes. — Male leadership or declaration prompts female action; authority initiates response.
From our compliments & insults
- Cabeça de alho chocho — A forgetful scatterbrain whose thoughts won't stay put.
- Tu es mon rayon de soleil — A warm way to tell someone they brighten your day.
- Joli comme un cœur — Utterly charming or adorable.