- English translation
Do not discard what you dislike today; you may need it tomorrow.
- Literal wording
What you dislike today, you may need tomorrow.
- Meaning and lesson
The proverb advises against parting too quickly with something simply because it is unwanted or disliked at present. What seems undesirable now can become useful when circumstances change, so immediate dislike is not a safe guide to future need.
Its point is to favor caution over hasty disposal. Before giving something up, one should consider that tomorrow may bring a need not apparent today, and that an item without present appeal can later prove necessary.
- When it is used
Used to caution someone against getting rid of something they currently dislike or do not want, when it could become necessary later.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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