Trust in God, and keep your powder dry.
Meaning: Maintain faith while preparing pragmatically for conflict; spiritual confidence shouldn't replace practical readiness.
Origin: Attributed to Oliver Cromwell, supposedly addressing his army during the invasion of Ireland. No record from Cromwell's time confirms it: the line first appears in "Oliver's Advice," a poem by William Blacker published in the Dublin University Magazine in 1834 — "Put your trust in God, my boys, and keep your powder dry!" Faith is good, but soldiers should keep their gunpowder dry all the same.
More proverbs about Perseverance
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- Never carry two faces under one hat. — Duplicity and hypocrisy inevitably expose themselves; maintaining contradictory personas…
- When two Sundays come in one week--that is, never. — Impossible events cannot be awaited; stop postponing difficult tasks with false hope of p…
- He who stays in the valley will never get over the hill. — Comfort in familiar circumstances prevents growth and progress beyond current limitations.
- He is wise enough that can keep himself warm in winter. — Self-sufficiency and practical preparation matter more than theoretical knowledge or gran…
From our compliments & insults
- Χρυσό μου (Chrysó mou) — My darling — a tender term of endearment.
- Sei un fenomeno — You're amazing — exceptionally good at what you do.
- Eres la leche — You're the best — absolutely fantastic.