BRUEGEL, Pieter the Elder
(b. ca. 1525, Brogel, d. 1569, Brussel)

Netherlandish Proverbs (detail)

1559
Oil on oak panel
Staatliche Museen, Berlin

While one fellow lets the world dance upon his thumb (to his tune), another is unable to stretch from one loaf of bread to another - in other words, he is no good with money. If you spill your porridge, you will never be able to spoon it all back into the bowl; if you try to open your mouth wider than an oven door, you are overestimating your abilities.