A sorry flock where the ewe bear the bell

Similar English and Irish sayings:

To sell the bear’s skin before one has caught the bear To sell the bear’s skin before one has caught the bear
An empty belly bears no body An empty belly bears no body
When thou dost hear a toll or knell, then think upon thy passing bell When thou dost hear a toll or knell, then think upon thy passing bell

Proverbs and English sayings