Covet nothing over much.
Covet nothing over much.
Meaning in plain English
Wanting something too intensely can make it harder to judge what pursuing it requires. The warning concerns desire becoming disproportionate, without condemning ordinary ambition or deciding that a particular goal is not worth seeking.
Example
A group eager for a prestigious venue checks its cost in volunteer time and compares a more manageable alternative before committing.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Over much marks the excess in the saying: the issue is not having a wish, but allowing it to dominate other considerations. A desired opportunity or possession may lead someone to overlook its demands, another commitment or an uncertainty that deserves attention. The useful response names what is wanted, why it matters and what would make the pursuit proportionate. Desire can motivate worthwhile work, and enthusiasm is not proof of poor judgement. The proverb does not supply a fixed limit for every person or goal. It encourages retaining room to reconsider the means and consequences while deciding how to proceed.
When to use it
Use it when enthusiasm for one goal is obscuring its demands or other commitments.
Keep in mind
Wanting and ambition can be constructive; assess the particular pursuit rather than treating strong interest as inherently wrong.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 337 · Covet
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗