Tis good fish if it were but caught.
Meaning: Potential alone means nothing without the effort and skill required to seize actual opportunity.
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 Morality
- There's as good fish in the sea as were ever caught. — Lost opportunities aren't final; future chances remain equally promising if you persevere.
- To forget a wrong is the best revenge. — Holding onto grievance poisons the grudge-bearer while freeing the offender from further…
- He that sings on Friday shall weep on Sunday. — Premature celebration invites misfortune; joy separated from caution courts sorrow.
- Though good be good yet better carries it. — Excellence demands continuous improvement; settling for mere goodness invites complacency…
- Good harvests make men prodigal, bad ones provident. — Abundance breeds carelessness; scarcity teaches careful resource management through hard…
- It is no use throwing good money after bad. — Pouring additional resources into a failing project only multiplies losses instead of sal…
From our compliments & insults
- Hai le mani d'oro — You're extraordinarily skilled with your hands — a craftsperson, cook, or fixer of legend…
- Sei una persona d'oro — You're genuinely wonderful — kind, trustworthy, and precious to have in one's life.
- Che spettacolo! — You look absolutely stunning — a spontaneous burst of admiration for someone's appearance.