proverb · Traditional
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
The saying makes a chain’s strength depend on its weakest link. As an explicit analogy, a vulnerable connection may limit a connected process.
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861 matching explanations
proverb · Traditional
A councilman must be a good listener.
A council member required to listen well gives public responsibility a receptive role. The saying values hearing people before making decisions that concern them.
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A cowboy’s horse always eats first.
A cowboy’s horse eating first gives an animal’s needs priority in the care image. The saying values responsibility for a dependent working companion.
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A danger foreseen is half avoided.
Recognising a danger early creates an opportunity to reduce it. Awareness is part of prevention, but the word half is an encouraging estimate rather than a measured guarantee of safety.
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A dull pencil is greater than the sharpest memory.
The saying ranks a dull pencil above the sharpest memory. It values making a record over relying entirely on recollection.
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A feast is not made of mushrooms only.
One ingredient or contribution may not be enough to make a complete undertaking. The feast of mushrooms pictures a limited provision, without dismissing that ingredient’s value or setting a rule about what people should eat.
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A fool is busy with anyone’s business but his own.
A fool occupied with everyone’s business except their own questions attention that avoids a relevant responsibility. The saying criticises misplaced involvement.
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A fool is reckless and careless.
The saying characterises a fool as reckless and careless. It makes disregard for consequences central to the label.
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A friend made is like a road paved; an enemy created is like a wall.
Friendship as a paved road and enmity as a wall contrast connection with obstruction. The saying gives relationships a role in what becomes possible.
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A full cup is hard to carry.
Having a great deal can create a greater burden of care. The full cup suggests that abundance or responsibility is harder to carry safely when there is little room for error.
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A gardener’s dog neither eats cabbage, nor lets anybody else.
A gardener’s dog neither using cabbage nor allowing anyone else to use it contrasts possession with obstruction. The saying questions preventing a benefit one does not need.
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A goal without a deadline is only a wish.
A goal without a deadline called only a wish contrasts a planned undertaking with an indefinite aspiration. The saying values a concrete arrangement for action.
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A good beginning makes a good ending.
A sound start can improve the chances of a successful finish. Clear aims, suitable preparation and an appropriate first step can prevent difficulties that would otherwise follow the work.
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A good cause needs help.
Having a worthwhile cause does not automatically provide the effort, organisation or support needed to advance it. Recognise the cause’s merits while also asking what practical help is missing.
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A good dog deserves a good bone.
Useful and dependable work deserves fitting recognition. Notice the contribution and respond fairly instead of taking continued service for granted.
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A good driver turns in a small space.
A good driver turning within a small space pictures skill responding to tight conditions. Competence can show in adjusting a method to the room available.
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A good horse often wants a good spur.
Even a capable person may benefit from a timely prompt or encouragement. The good horse and spur distinguish ability from readiness to act, without making harsh treatment or constant pressure the way to obtain good work.
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A good horse should be seldom spurred.
Reliable effort should not require constant pressure. The horse represents someone or something already responding well, and the spur represents repeated urging that may add strain without improving the result.
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A good paymaster never wants workmen.
The saying gives a good paymaster no shortage of workers. It connects reliable compensation with willingness to work for someone.
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A good recorder sets all in order.
The saying credits a good recorder with putting things in order. It associates a role with orderly conduct while leaving the type of recorder unstated.
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A great ship needs deep waters.
A large undertaking needs conditions capable of supporting its scale. Check whether the available resources and setting fit the project before committing to its size.
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A house divided amongst itself cannot stand.
The saying pictures a divided house as unable to stand. It connects internal conflict with loss of stability in a shared arrangement.
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A hungry wolf is never at rest.
A hungry wolf never resting gives an unmet need a restless image. The saying connects pressure with continuing effort to meet it.
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A jack of all trades is master of none.
A person working across many trades called master of none questions breadth without depth. The saying contrasts general familiarity with specialised skill.
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