it's ill striving against the stream

it's ill striving against the stream

proverb
1. It is futile to challenge that which cannot be changed. The school board has made their decision, and we just have to accept it. It's ill striving against the stream.
2. It is unwise, improper, futile to act or behave in opposition or contrary to what is generally understood, assumed, practiced, or accepted. I had some radical beliefs when I was in college, but as I've grown older, I've found that it's ill striving against the stream. My parents always said that it's ill striving against the stream, but I can't help it—I'm different, and I won't change myself just to please others.
See also: ill, stream, strive
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • teach a man to fish
  • it takes a village
  • village
  • change horses in midstream, don't
  • best-laid plans go astray, the
  • the best-laid plans
  • the best-laid plans go astray
  • the best-laid plans of mice and men
  • a reed before the wind lives on(, while mighty oaks do fall)
  • all cats are gray after dark/at night