Explore English traditional proverbsReviewed 2026-10-26
Meaning: Verified- Meaning and lesson
Bright conditions at the beginning are not guaranteed to continue. The saying advises against treating an early success, favourable mood, or promising start as if it assured a lasting outcome.
It evokes the short life of freshness and advantage: what is vivid at dawn changes as the day advances. It expresses a general idea of impermanence, without specifying exactly what kind of benefit or promise will fade.
- When it is used
Use it as a reflective warning when an initially encouraging situation may be temporary, such as a burst of popularity, an easy beginning, or a period of good fortune. Its image gives the remark a calm, cautionary tone rather than a precise prediction.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: The morning sun never lasts a day.