Never spend your money before you have it.钱未到手,不要先花。
此谚语是说做事应有先后,不应急不可待把两事的先后颠倒过来。花钱如此,其他事也一样。有许多谚语是用生动的比喻来说明这道理的:
Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.
小鸡未出壳,别先忙着数蛋。
Don't holloo till you are out of the wood.
未出森林,别先欢呼。
Catch your bear before you sell its skin.
抓到了熊,再卖它的皮。
First catch your hare, then cook him.
抓到了兔子,才能烹兔肉。
以上各句改变一下句法,也可表示同样意思,即:
Have your money then spend it.
Have your chickens hatched then count them.
Out of the wood then holloo.
Don't sell bear skin before you catch the bear.
It is impossible to cook the hare before you catch him.
总之本篇谚语的意思是事情没有完全办妥,不要高兴得太早。这对于一些喜欢超前消费者也是应该引以为训的。中文有句俗语说“不要寅吃卯粮”也是这个意思。