Proverbs starting with letter Y

You cannot serve God and Mammon

Mammon is the god of riches. You must choose between godliness and worldliness. The source is Matthew, vi, 24, which is quoted under No man can... Read more →

You cannot sell the cow and drink the milk

You cannot enjoy the milk and have at the same time the advantages of the money got for the cow. In the other words, you must have one thing or... Read more →

You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds

Figuratively, 'running with hare and hunting with the hounds' is the deceitful behaviour of one who fights of one who fights on one side and... Read more →

You cannot put old heads on young shoulders

You cannot expect young people to be a wise and prudent as their elders.

You cannot make bricks without straw

Nothing can be made without the necessary materials. 'The trouble is, said the captain of the Cricket Club at a meeting of the committee, that... Read more →

You cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs

You cannot expect to get something for nothing. You must be prepared to make sacrifices in order to gain your ends. 'We shall be much more... Read more →

You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear

Dr Brewer had this to say: 'You must have the necessary materials of facilities before you can make or do what you are expected to ... A sow's... Read more →

You cannot make a crab walk straight

This warns us never to attempt the impossible. You can no more make a grab walk any way but sideways than you can change a person's character.

You are what you eat

The proverb promotes the idea that to be fit and healthy you need to eat well and consume good food. If you eat well, you will be healthy; but... Read more →

You cannot have your cake and eat it

This is sometimes given as: 'You cannot eat your cake and have it.' They both mean the same thing, which is that if a choice has to be made... Read more →