Whether the pitcher strikes the stone, or the stone the pitcher, it is bad for the pitcher
Whichever side starts the fight, the weaker side will get the worst of it.
Proverbs with the word Stone
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones
The lesson this proverb teaches is that people whose own conduct is open to criticism should not criticise the conduct of other's who may... Read more →
Sticks the stones and may break my bones, but words will never hurt me
However much one person insults another, he causes him no physical injury at all. Only when words lead to blows are bones liable to be... Read more →
A rolling stone gathers no moss
This is a very famous proverb. It means that a person who never stops long in one place, or is constantly changing his job, will never make... Read more →
Constant dripping wears away the stone
Sometimes 'dropping' is used instead of 'dripping'. The lesson to be learnt is summed up in the last two words of this quotation from Ovid:... Read more →
You cannot get water out of a stone
The proverb has the meaning of futility of trying to extract money from a person who either will not pay, or has not the money to pay with. It... Read more →
You cannot get blood out of a stone
Here 'blood' means human feeling and a 'stone' represents a hard-hearted person. The proverb refers to avarice; a man can be so full of greed... Read more →
Cast not the first stone
Before condemning anyone who has done wrong, ask yourself whether your own conduct has been blameless. The proverb derives from the story told... Read more →