Imprudence: English Vocabulary List

used to suggest that those who talk too much or make too much noise may miss out on an opportunity to obtain something that they desire

"Talking too much means missing opportunities — a bleating sheep loses a bite."

"He spent so long discussing the deal that a competitor moved in — a bleating sheep loses a bite."

used to imply that someone who is addicted to alcohol often prioritizes obtaining and consuming alcohol over their other financial obligations and responsibilities

"A drunk person spends all their money on drink — a drunkard's purse is a bottle."

"Instead of paying rent or buying food, he spent everything on whisky, showing that a drunkard's purse is truly a bottle."

used to suggest that admitting to a crime or wrongdoing can lead to negative consequences, particularly when the punishment is certain or severe

"Admitting something bad makes things worse — confess and be hanged."

"She was warned that any admission would be used against her — confess and be hanged."

used to imply that some people may accumulate wealth throughout their lives, but fail to enjoy it or use it wisely

"Foolish people live poorly to save money they never enjoy — fools live poor to die rich."

"He denied himself every pleasure for decades and died before spending his savings — fools live poor to die rich."

used to imply that inexperienced or reckless people tend to take risks in dangerous situations that wiser individuals avoid

"Reckless people rush into danger — fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

"He proposed the untested strategy without any hesitation — fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

used to imply that rushing into a task without proper planning or preparation can lead to poor outcomes or mistakes

"Rushing produces inferior results — the hasty bitch brings forth blind whelps."

"The product released without sufficient testing was full of errors — the hasty bitch brings forth blind whelps."

used to imply that if one does not take advantage of an opportunity when it is available, one may not have the same opportunity in the future when one desires it

"Miss your chance and it is gone — he that will not when he may, when he will he may have nay."

"She declined the offer twice and found it withdrawn — he that will not when he may, when he will he may have nay."

used to advise against making empty threats or starting something one is not capable of carrying out

"Do not threaten what you cannot carry out — if you cannot bite, never show your teeth."

"He issued an ultimatum he had no means of enforcing — if you cannot bite, never show your teeth."

used to warn against the disruptive and damaging effects of frequent relocation or change

"Moving repeatedly is as disruptive as disaster — three moves are as bad as a fire."

"The team had been reorganised three times in two years — three moves are as bad as a fire."

used to imply that if someone wastes resources or spends recklessly, they are likely to experience financial hardship and scarcity in the future

"Wasting things creates poverty — wilful waste makes woeful want."

"The budget was squandered early in the year and the team had nothing left — wilful waste makes woeful want."