on ne saurait faire boire un âne qui n'a pas soif

French

Etymology

Literally, “You can't force a donkey to drink when he's not thirsty”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔ̃ n(ə) sɔ.ʁɛ fɛʁ bwa.ʁ‿œ̃.n‿an ki n‿a pa swaf/ ~ /ɔ̃ n(ə) sɔ.ʁɛ fɛʁ bwa.ʁ‿œ̃.n‿ɑn ki n‿a pɑ swaf/; /ɔ̃ n(ə) so.ʁɛ fɛʁ bwa.ʁ‿œ̃.n‿an ki n‿a pa swaf/ ~ /ɔ̃ n(ə) so.ʁɛ fɛʁ bwa.ʁ‿œ̃.n‿ɑn ki n‿a pɑ swaf/

Proverb

on ne saurait faire boire un âne qui n’a pas soif

1. you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink