proverb · Legacy record
The donkey knows seven ways to swim; when he falls into the water, he forgets them all.
The donkey knows seven ways to swim; when he falls into the water, he forgets them all.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A donkey knowing seven ways to swim but forgetting them in water contrasts claimed preparation with difficulty in the actual situation. The saying questions knowledge assumed to be usable under pressure.
What the words are saying
The animal image is not a verified finding or swimming-safety guidance. A qualified human reading can ask whether a skill is practised and supported without diagnosing a stress response or blaming someone who struggles. The exact traditional context and significance of seven are unverified.
Everyday example
Someone checks whether a task’s preparation fits its actual conditions and arranges support where needed.
When to use it
Use it only as a qualified preparation-and-performance image.
Put a useful idea into practice: try the free seven-day guide ↗
What it does not mean
No animal finding, swimming procedure or fixed response to pressure is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
Russia
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 875; PDF page 77; collection label: Russia
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Russia