Proverb: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
Meaning: People, like horses, will only do what they have a mind to do.
Origin: Proverbs give richness to language and, to some extent, define a culture.
This proverb is thought to encapsulate the English-speaking people's mindset better than any other saying.
It appears to be the oldest English proverb that is still in regular use today.
It was recorded as early as 1175 in 'Old English Homilies'.
Story: The horse (Ted) is tasting the salt water. He had been to the dentist and his mouth was still sore. A form of self-medication?