The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings.
We often despise what is most useful to us.
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
A person's true nature will reveal itself despite disguise.
Appearances are deceiving.
If you wish me well, do not stand pitying me, but lend me some succour as fast as you can; for pity is but cold comfort when one is up to the chin in water, and within a hair's breadth of starving or drowning.