A proverb about the belief that “there is a downhill for every uphill”

Question

Is there any fixed saying in English which can encompass the mesaage that you should not get proud of what you have or what you are; because as you got famous/wealthy/etc. you might get weak or poor... some day. [There is a belief in our culture which says: there is no permanent situation for a person in life; your power may disappear one day as you couldn't believe to get what you are now (a powerful one).]

We have a proverb which says:

• There is a downhill for every uphill. (Literally traslated)

The only equivalent I've come across to in English is:

• High places have their precipices

I had a good research about it, but still I'm not sure if it can encompass these believes or not!

The only thing that I found is that It's quoted in Cassell's Dictionary of Proverbs (London 2003) High places have their precipices.

I know another saying, but still I don't know if you use it in this sense or not:

• Every tide has its ebb.

So I would appreciate it if you could help me with it.

Thank you

Answer 1

Yes, we say

What goes up, must come down.

Also, to suggest it's a good idea to be nice to people when you are successful:

Be careful who you stand on, on your way up, as you will meet them on the way down

In the other direction, to suggest those down will someday rise:

Every dog has his/its day

(Edit) Neither of your examples is in common use (or at least, I've never heard them) and may or may not apply to this situation.

"Every uphill has its downhill" makes perfect sense, but it's not as idiomatic as "What goes up must come down."

Rather than the inevitable reversal of fortune, "High places have their precipices" implies that success brings great risk. It's more of a warning than a prediction. For example celebrity brings renown, but also scrutiny. A person who is not famous can usually do what they like (within the limits of the law, of course), but a single misstep from a famous person -- or even exposure of past missteps -- can destroy a career and bring a lifetime of shame.

"Every tide has its ebb" implies that the "wave" of good fortune that brings success will eventually subside. Again, I see it as a warning to the successful not to rely on things like good luck or public approval, but instead to think about long-term strategies based on less ephemeral factors.