This world is nothing except it tend to the next.
Meaning: Earthly pursuits lack purpose unless they cultivate spiritual growth and eternal salvation.
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 Perseverance
- There needs a long time to know the world's pulse. — Understanding society's true nature requires patient, sustained observation rather than h…
- When things get to the worst, they'll mend. — Despair blinds us to recovery; suffering naturally exhausts itself and reverses.
- Help yourself and your friends will like you. — Self-reliance builds respect; those who solve their own problems attract genuine companio…
- If you want a thing done, do it yourself. — Delegating tasks risks poor execution, so personal effort guarantees desired results.
- Almost was never hanged. — Narrow escapes from danger don't count as actual survival until the threat completely pas…
- Well begun is half done. — Starting with proper preparation and intention dramatically increases your likelihood of…
From our tongue twisters
- 吃葡萄不吐葡萄皮，不吃葡萄倒吐葡萄皮。(Chī pútao bù tǔ pútao pí, bù chī pútao dào tǔ pútao pí.) — A 'pú/tǔ/pí' drill with reversing logic — the negations flip the meaning as the tongue tr…
- 黑化肥发黑会挥发；灰化肥发灰会挥发。(Hēihuàféi fā hēi huì huīfā; huīhuàféi fā huī huì huīfā.) — A 'hēi/huī/huì/fā' four-tone minefield — the tones alone change every meaning.
- De kat krabt de krullen van de trap. — A 'kr' cluster drill — Dutch consonant pileups that beginners approach with dread.