Every man has a sleeping lion in his heart.

What it means

Courage is already in you, even if it has never been called on. Ordinary people find great strength when the moment demands it. Don't judge yourself or anyone else by how they look while the lion sleeps.

The source

"Every man has a sleeping lion in his heart." This Armenian proverb is recorded in Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889). Translated by Bayan, 1889.

"Every man has in his heart a lion that sleeps."

Bayan, 1889, Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889). Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "Every man has a sleeping lion in his heart." mean?

Courage is already in you, even if it has never been called on. Ordinary people find great strength when the moment demands it. Don't judge yourself or anyone else by how they look while the lion sleeps.

Who said "Every man has a sleeping lion in his heart."?

Armenian proverb. Source: Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889).

What is the original wording?

Every man has in his heart a lion that sleeps (Bayan, 1889). Translated by Bayan, 1889.

Is "Every man has a sleeping lion in his heart." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Every man has a sleeping lion in his heart." (Armenian proverb, Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889), trans. Bayan, 1889). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/every-man-has-a-sleeping-lion-in-his