Man kan ei seile hvorhen man vil, men hvor Vinden blæser. You cannot sail as you would, but as the wind blows.
Man kan ikke bære al sin Slægt paa Skuldrene. A man cannot carry all his kin on his back.
Man kan ikke drikke og pibe paa eengang. You cannot drink and whistle at the same time.
Man kan ikke klippe Faaret længer end til Skindet. You cannot shear the sheep closer than the skin.
Man kan ikke see en Anden længer end til Tænderne. No one can see into another further than his teeth.
Man kan lukke for en Tyv, men ikke for en Lögner. You may shut your doors against a thief, but not against a liar.
Man kan nöde en Hest til Vands, men ikke til at drikke. You may force a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink.
Man kan nöde en Mand til at blunde, men ikke til at sove. You may force a man to shut his eyes, but not to sleep.
Man kan nöde en Oxe til Vands, men ikke nöde ham til at drikke. You may force an ox to the water, but you cannot make him drink.