If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride

"If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride" is both a proverb and a nursery rhyme that has been used for centuries to teach a practical lesson about the difference between wishing and doing.

Meaning

The proverb emphasizes that wishing alone cannot bring about desired results—practical effort is essential to achieve one's goals. If simply wishing could make things happen, even the most destitute individuals would have everything they wanted.

Early Origins

The recognizable ancestor of this rhyme first appeared in William Camden's "Remaines of a Greater Worke, Concerning Britaine," printed in 1605. This early version was phrased quite differently:

"If wishes were thrushes, beggars would eat birds."

This version focused on food scarcity rather than transportation, but carried the same essential meaning.

Evolution of the Wording

The phrase evolved over two centuries:

• 1628: James Carmichael's "Proverbs in Scots" introduced the reference to horses: "And wishes were horses, pure [poor] men wald ride."
• 1670: John Ray's "Collection of English Proverbs" introduced the word "beggars": "If wishes would bide, beggars would ride."
• 1721: James Kelly's "Scottish Proverbs, Collected and Arranged" presented the wording closest to the modern version: "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."

As a Nursery Rhyme

The saying was widely disseminated as a nursery rhyme in collections like James Orchard Halliwell's "The Nursery Rhymes of England" in the 1840s. Extended versions sometimes include additional whimsical lines such as:

"If turnips were watches, I'd wear one by my side." "And if 'ifs' and 'ands' were pots and pans, there'd be no work for tinkers."

Historical Context

The proverb reflects a historical emphasis on realism over fantasy. In an era when horses symbolized wealth, status, and mobility, the ability to ride was far beyond the means of the poor. Beggars were among the lowest in society, so the image of them riding horses represented an absurd impossibility—making it a perfect illustration of wishful thinking versus reality.

Enduring Wisdom

The phrase remains in common use today, often invoked when someone indulges in wishful thinking rather than taking practical action. It continues to teach children (and adults) the value of effort over mere hope.