nothing comes of nothing

nothing comes of nothing

proverb Nothing comes into being without something causing or compelling it. I just don't understand—something has to be causing this severe malaise. Nothing comes of nothing, after all. You're not going to just end up in a high-paying job without putting in the time and effort to qualify for one. Nothing comes of nothing.
See also: come, nothing, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Nothing comes of nothing.

Prov. If you contribute nothing, you will get nothing. Jill: Why are you so depressed today? Jane: No reason. Jill: There has to be a reason. Nothing comes of nothing. I'm not surprised you did so poorly in school; you haven't been putting in any effort. Nothing comes of nothing.
See also: come, nothing, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be playing with fire
  • stick in
  • clear conscience, to have a
  • the devil is in the detail
  • the devil is in the detail(s)
  • the devil's in the detail
  • (one's) conscience is clear
  • (one's) conscience is clean
  • let well enough alone
  • flow out
References in periodicals archive
The club was based in Corporation Hall and had 400 members, who chose its motto - Nihilo Nihil Fit (Nothing Comes of Nothing).
The shoe-string club that created boxing champions
Tyrone Singleton rarely changed his expression during his performance and his tap-dancing solos were slow, Mr Singleton bleak interpretation of a delightful role reminded me of Lear's line: "Nothing comes of nothing".
BALLET; REVIEWS
It's nothing to him, and of course, nothing comes of nothing. That seems shortsighted.
Occupying W. S