Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Wishing

After the acting wishing is in vain.French.

Better do it than wish it done.

Better to have than to wish.

Good wishes do not always bring good fortune.Benjamin Disraeli.

If wishes were true, farmers (shepherds) would be kings.French.

I never fared worse than when I wished for my supper.

Like our shadows,
Our wishes lengthen as our sun declines.Young.

Mere wishes are silly fishes.

One year of joy, another of comfort, and all the rest of content.(A marriage wish.)

Thy wish was father to the thought.Shakespeare.

Thou art as like to obtain thy wish as the wolf is to eat the moon.

When the thing you wish cannot be had, ever wish for that which may.Terence.

Who has no money must have no wishes.Italian.

Wish not for that you cannot obtain.

Wishes at least are the easy pleasures of the poor.Douglas Jerrold.

Wishes never filled the bag.French.

Wishes were ever fools.Shakespeare.

Wishes won’t wash dishes.

Wishing of all employments is the worst.Young.

With wishing comes grieving.Italian.