He who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind. 
Meaning and origin
The proverb "He who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind" is a warning about the consequences of one's actions, particularly negative actions or decisions that may lead to severe and destructive outcomes. It suggests that if someone engages in reckless or harmful behavior, they can expect to face much more significant and harmful consequences in the future.
The origin of this proverb can be traced back to the Bible, specifically the book of Hosea in the Old Testament. The phrase appears in Hosea 8:7 (King James Version):
"For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up."
In this biblical context, the metaphor is used to convey the idea that if people engage in sinful or unwise actions, they will experience a much more severe and destructive outcome in return. Over time, the proverb has been adapted and used in various contexts to convey the general principle that the consequences of one's actions can be more significant and far-reaching than initially anticipated.
Proverbs on a similar topic
- Do as you would be done by.
- An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
- Fight fire with fire.
- Bad news travels fast.
- He who digs a pit for others falls in himself.
- As the call, so the echo.
- When Greek meets Greek then comes the tug of war.
- Better a lean peace than a fat victory.
- He's met his match.
- Better an open enemy than a false friend.
- Two of a trade never agree.
- Hard words break no bones.
- God stays long, but strikes at last.
- Eaten bread is soon forgotten.
- Two cats and a mouse, two wives in one house, two dogs and a bone, never agree in one.
- Two dogs strive for a bone, and a third runs away with it.
- A constant guest is never welcome.
- Words hurt more than swords.
- The tongue is not steel yet it cuts.
- Let an ill man lie in thy straw, and he looks to be thy heir.
- Better an egg in peace than an ox in war.
- Tongue breaks bone, and herself has none.
- He that all men will please shall never find ease.
- An unbidden guest knows not where to sit.
- He who will stop every man's mouth must have a great deal of meal.
- Call me cousin but cozen me not.
- Quarrelling dogs come halting home.
- Breed up a crow and he will tear out your eyes.
- The mad dog bites his master.
- The Wise head gives in.
Related proverbs
Similar proverbs in the same language
English
-
He that sows thistles shall reap prickles.
Equal proverbs in another language
Latin
-
Qui ventum seminat, turbinem metet.
He who sows the wind will reap the whirlwind.
Very similar proverbs in another language
Latin
-
Ventum seminabunt et turbinem metent.
Translation
They will sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.
French
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Qui sème le vent, récolte la tempête.
Translation
He who sows the wind, reaps the storm.
-
Celui qui sème le vent moissonnera la tempête.
Translation
He who sows the wind shall reap the storm.
German
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Wer Wind sät, wird Sturm ernten.
Translation
He who sows the wind will reap the storm.
Czech
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Kdo seje vítr, sklízí bouři.
He who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind.
Similar proverbs in another language
Latin
-
Saepe in magistrum scelera redierunt sua.
They often returned their crimes to the teacher.
French
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Qui sème des chardons recueille des épines.
He who sows thistles gathers thorns.