The pot goes so often to the water that it is broken at last.常汲水的瓦罐早晚被打破。
此谚语也可写作:The pot goes so long to the well that it is broken at last。还有一句意义基本相同的谚语:The pitcher goes often to the well but is broken at last。
本谚语主要是通过这种常见的现象,提醒人们不要因为自己常做的或擅长的事而掉以轻心。中国俗语所谓“久在河边走,哪有不湿鞋”,还有一句成语“善泅者溺”,说的都是这意思。甚至朋友之间,也有因为太熟悉,以致戏谑过分,而致交情破裂。
以下两句意思相近,但不完全相同:
Strings high stretched either soon crack or quickly grow out of tune.
弦拉得太紧,或者会断裂,或者会走调。
Too long burden makes weary bones.
长期负重会使筋骨劳损。
以上都是指工具久用会劳损、破裂。还有一种情况是不一定用得太久,但超越了承担极限,也会破裂,这可参阅The last drop makes the cup run over.