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The horse thinks one thing, and he that rides him another.

Meaning: Intentions diverge between those who control and those controlled; agreement cannot be assumed despite outward cooperation.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

Translations

  • Spanish: Una cosa piensa el vayo, y otra el que lo ensilla (literally: The horse thinks one thing, and his rider another)

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