Work gets it done, not wishing. Deer don't walk into a sleeping lion's mouth.

What it means

Things get done by effort, not by daydreams. Even a lion has to hunt; nothing walks into its mouth while it sleeps. Talent waits on action.

The source

"Work gets it done, not wishing. Deer don't walk into a sleeping lion's mouth." This Sanskrit proverb is recorded in Hitopadeśa, Prastāvikā 36. Translated from the original Sanskrit by Spartan Surfers.

"udyamena hi sidhyanti kāryāṇi na manorathaiḥ | nahi suptasya siṃhasya praviśanti mukhe mṛgāḥ"

Original Sanskrit, Hitopadeśa, Prastāvikā 36. Text read at gretil.sub.uni-goettingen.de.

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 "Work gets it done, not wishing. Deer don't walk into a sleeping lion's mouth." mean?

Things get done by effort, not by daydreams. Even a lion has to hunt; nothing walks into its mouth while it sleeps. Talent waits on action.

Who said "Work gets it done, not wishing. Deer don't walk into a sleeping lion's mouth."?

Sanskrit proverb. Source: Hitopadeśa, Prastāvikā 36.

What is the original Sanskrit?

udyamena hi sidhyanti kāryāṇi na manorathaiḥ | nahi suptasya siṃhasya praviśanti mukhe mṛgāḥ. Translated from the original Sanskrit by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Work gets it done, not wishing. Deer don't walk into a sleeping lion's mouth." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Work gets it done, not wishing. Deer don't walk into a sleeping lion's mouth." (Sanskrit proverb, Hitopadeśa, Prastāvikā 36, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/work-gets-it-done-not-wishing-deer-dont