You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair

Similar sayings:

A flea on top of a bald head A flea on top of a bald head
In the broken nest there are no whole eggs In the broken nest there are no whole eggs
Insects do not nest in a busy door-hinge Insects do not nest in a busy door-hinge
Don’t build a new ship out of old wood Don’t build a new ship out of old wood
One family builds the wall, two families enjoy it One family builds the wall, two families enjoy it

Chinese sayings and proverbs