Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Anvil, Hammer

A good anvil does not fear the hammer.Italian.

If the hammer strikes hard the anvil lasts the longer.

If thou art an anvil then suffer: if a hammer, then strike.Romanian.

If you are an anvil be patient; if you are a hammer strike hard.German.

It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.French.

One must be either anvil or hammer.

Some men are born anvils, some are born hammers.

The anvil lasts longer than the hammer.Italian.

When you are an anvil bear, when you are a hammer strike.Spanish.