if wishes were horses, beggars would ride

if wishes were horses, (then) beggars would ride

proverb One must work for the things one wants, not merely wish for them to come true; wishing for something won't make it happen. A: "I just wish I was earning a little bit more money than I do now." B: "Well, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride." The president said he wishes the country would be more united on this issue, but if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.
See also: beggar, if, ride, wish
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

if wishes were horses, beggars would ride

if you could achieve your aims simply by wishing for them, life would be very easy. proverb
This expression was first recorded in the early 17th century as a Scottish proverb.
See also: beggar, if, ride, wish
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

if wishes were ˌhorses, beggars would/might ˈride

(saying) wishing for something does not make it happen
See also: beggar, if, might, ride, wish
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • if wishes were horses, (then) beggars would ride
  • If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride
  • if wishes were horses, beggars would/might ride
  • if wishes were horses, (then) beggars might ride
  • you wish
  • you wish!
  • Don’t you wish!
  • don't you wish
  • Don't you wish!
  • dying wish
References in periodicals archive
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Out of sight, out of mind.
"If wishes were horses" and other rural wisdom
Wishes was inspired by Jean Little's grandmother, who told her, "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride" whenever the young Jean asked for a puppy.
Wishes
Titled "If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride," and created by choreographers Sara Pearson and Patrik Widrig, the multimedia work is drawn from community members' stories about change in their lives.
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