You must have crossed the river before you may tell the crocodile he has bad breath

Similar sayings:

Do not insult the crocodile until you’ve crossed the river Do not insult the crocodile until you’ve crossed the river
Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it
Rivers and mountains may change; human nature, never Rivers and mountains may change; human nature, never
Enough shovels of earth make a mountain, enough pails of water a river Enough shovels of earth make a mountain, enough pails of water a river
A bird can roost but on one branch, a mouse can drink not more than its fill from a river A bird can roost but on one branch, a mouse can drink not more than its fill from a river

Chinese sayings and proverbs