Where coin's not common, commons must be scant.
Meaning: Monetary poverty forces communities to rely on scarce shared resources rather than abundant individual wealth.
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 Wisdom
- When you ride a young colt see your saddle be well girt. — Secure your foundations before undertaking risky ventures with unpredictable partners or…
- There's no companion like a penny. — Reliable money stays loyal through misfortune when fair-weather friends abandon you.
- It is no small conquest to overcome yourself. — Self-mastery requires greater strength than defeating external enemies or obstacles.
- A clear conscience is a sure card. — An undisturbed mind from honest conduct provides reliable confidence in facing life's cha…
- When all is consumed repentance comes too late. — Excess pursued without restraint leaves no resources or time for correction once damage b…
- Content is the true philosopher's stone. — Accepting what you have transforms ordinary existence into genuine wealth and peace.
From our compliments & insults
- Tienes menos luces que un barco pirata — You're really not the brightest.
- Eres más lento que el caballo del malo — You're painfully slow — the villain's horse never catches the hero.
- Testa di rapa — A blockhead who isn't thinking.