Whether the pitcher strikes the stone or the stone strikes the pitcher, it is bad for the pitcher. 
Proverbs on a similar topic
- Big fish eat little fish.
- The dogs bark but the caravan goes on.
- Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil.
- The darkest place is under the candlestick.
- If you cannot bite never show your teeth.
- Lean liberty is better than fat slavery.
- A servant is known by his master's absence.
- Better die with honour than live with shame.
- Might goes before right.
- There is no arguing with a large fist.
Related proverbs
Similar proverbs in the same language
English
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To run one's head against a stone wall.
Similar proverbs in another language
Latin
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Testa terit lapidem testam exitus idem.
The shell grinds the stone shell with the same result.
French
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Donner de la tête contre les murs.
Giving head against the walls.
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Contre la force, pas de résistance.
Against force, there is no resistance.
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Il se cogne la tête contre le mur.
He bangs his head against the wall.
German
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Wenn der Topf an den Stein stößt, so zerbricht er, stößt der Stein an den Topf, so zerbricht er auch.
If the pot hits the stone, it breaks; if the stone hits the pot, it also breaks.
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Mit dem Kopfe gegen die Wand rennen.
Running with your head against the wall.
Czech
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Hlavou zeď neprorazíš.
You can't break through a wall with your head.
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S silným nechoď v zápas a s bohatým před soud.
Thou shalt not wrestle with the strong, nor go into judgment with the rich.
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Chudý s bohatým nehoduj, moudrý s bláznivým nežertuj.
The poor don't throw with the rich, the wise don't joke with the foolish.
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S větrem a pánem daremný zápas.
With the wind and the lord a futile struggle.
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Hrnci s kotlem se potýkati těžko.
It is difficult for a pot to struggle with a boiler.
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Tluč hlavou o zeď, co si vytlučeš.
Bang your head against the wall, what you're gonna knock out.
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Slaba rosa proti mrazu.
Poor dew against the cold.
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Potok chce s mořem válčiti.
The stream wants to make war with the sea.
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Čelem zdi nepovalíš.
You can't face the wall.
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Čelem zdi nevyrážej.
Don't hit the wall.