Water finds its own level
Meaning: People and things naturally settle into their proper place over time.
Origin: Rooted in a physical fact: water in connected vessels settles at the same height. As a proverb it is used of people, who tend to end up among others of similar character, ability or standing. When it was first applied to people has not been traced.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, and Japanese
- French: L'eau trouve son propre niveau (literally: Water finds its own level)
- Spanish: El agua siempre encuentra su nivel (literally: Water always finds its level)
- Japanese: 水は自ずから水平を保つ (Mizu wa onozukara suihei wo tamotsu) (literally: Water naturally maintains its level)
More proverbs about Wisdom
- The moon is not shamed by the barking of dogs — Those with true integrity remain unaffected by baseless criticism or petty noise.
- The more you know, the more you realize you don't know — True knowledge reveals the vastness of what remains to be learned.
- The greatest wealth is health — Good health is more valuable than any material possession or social status.
- Eagles don't catch flies — People of high purpose and ambition don't concern themselves with petty matters.
- You cannot step into the same river twice — Everything is constantly in flux; no experience can ever truly be repeated.
- A little knowledge is a dangerous thing — Partial knowledge breeds overconfidence and can be more harmful than honest ignorance.
From our compliments & insults
- Du bist klasse — You're brilliant — excellent, impressive, top-notch.
- 気が利く (ki ga kiku) — You're perceptive and considerately thoughtful — you notice what people need before they…
- できる人 (dekiru hito) — Said of someone highly capable and impressive — the kind of person who makes things happe…