Took up the harness? Don't say you're not strong enough.

What it means

Once you have committed to a load, complaining about its weight is too late. Think before you agree, then pull. Finish what you took on.

The source

"Took up the harness? Don't say you're not strong enough." This Russian proverb is recorded in Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Freedom — Bondage" («Воля — Неволя»). Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

"Взялся за гуж, не говори, что не дюж."

Original Russian, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Freedom — Bondage" («Воля — Неволя»). Text read at ru.wikisource.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 "Took up the harness? Don't say you're not strong enough." mean?

Once you have committed to a load, complaining about its weight is too late. Think before you agree, then pull. Finish what you took on.

Who said "Took up the harness? Don't say you're not strong enough."?

Russian proverb. Source: Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Freedom — Bondage" («Воля — Неволя»).

What is the original Russian?

Взялся за гуж, не говори, что не дюж. Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Took up the harness? Don't say you're not strong enough." on a shirt?

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

"Took up the harness? Don't say you're not strong enough." (Russian proverb, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Freedom — Bondage" («Воля — Неволя»), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/took-up-the-harness-dont-say-youre-not