Provençal expression

Lou se gasto l'aubret

Character

Literal translation

The if spoils the shrub

Meaning

don't count too much on how things will turn out

Explanation

Warns against piling too many hypotheses onto the future, the equivalent of if ifs and buts were candy and nuts. The image plays on the conditional if, which damages the young shrub, much as an excess of conjecture spoils any reasonable plan.

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Other expressions on the same theme

se crèi mai que Mèste Mouchohe thinks he's more important than he is es uno limo douçohe's sly beneath a soft, gentle manner se vèi lou bout dóu nashe can't see past the end of his nose M'as coumprés !you've understood me vòu se mouca pu aut que soun nashe wants to rise above his station M'en fóuti, siéu d'AuruouI don't care, it's none of my concern