Look not for musk in a dog’s kennel

Most sensible people would probably rather not go sniffing in a dog’s kennel but if they did they would expect a horrible pong, not the pleasant scent of a musk rose.

This proverb is telling us to be realistic in our expectations. We have a tendency to want things to be as we wish them whereas reality can de disagreeable. Many people build a view of the world that is rose-tinted, ignoring facts that don’t suit them and tending to expect hope to triumph over experience.

You have to be strong, face reality and learn how to deal with it. Hiding your head in the sand is not an option.