Whoever loves, if he do not propose The right true end of love, he's one that goes To sea for nothing but to make him sick.
He is like a man using a candle to look for the sun
It doesn't matter whether you're riding an elephant or a donkey if you're going in the wrong direction.
To carry timber into the wood. [Lat., In silvam ligna ferre.]
With useless endeavour Forever, forever, Is Sisyphus rolling His stone up the mountain!
You cannot kickstart a dead horse
Forsake search for needles that are so very small in haystacks that are so very large.
If you're doing nonsense it has to be rather awful, because there'd be no point.
As good play for nothing, you know, as work for nothing.
I'd rather not deal with such questions, because anyway it's like shearing a pig - lots of screams but little wool.
There is something inherently foolish in soldiering on when there is no hope of payoff.
