If wishes were horses, then 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, then beggars would ride.

Prov. People make a lot of wishes, but wishing is useless. Jill: If I were Queen of the World, I would make sure that everyone had enough to eat. Jane: And if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. Alan: I sure wish I had one of those expensive cameras. Jane: If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.
See also: beggar, if, ride, wish
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • if wishes were horses, (then) beggars would ride
  • if wishes were horses, 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
They say that if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. With Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri's self-imposed 10-day deadline to form a government upon us, it seems even the most well-intentioned wishes are doomed to remain elusive as long as other parties refuse to play ball.