But he that dares not grasp the thorn Should never crave the rose.

Every rose has its thorn

Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose.

Keep both heart and hand in your own possession, till you see good reason to part with them; and if such an occasion should never present itself, comfort your mind with this reflection: that, though in single life your joys may not be very many, your sorrows, at least, will not be more than you can bear.

A thorn defends the rose, harming only those who would steal the blossom.

A man must have something to grumble about; and if he can't complain that his wife harries him to death with her perversity and ill-humour, he must complain that she wears him out with her kindness and gentleness.