clogs to clogs in three generations

English

Etymology

Circa 1700, perhaps of Lancashire origin,[1] due to clogs being stereotypical clothes of peasants. Compare shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.

Proverb

clogs to clogs in three generations

(Britain) Wealth earned in one generation seldom lasts through the third (grandchild’s) generation.

Synonyms

shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations
(Chinese) wealth does not survive three generations
(Japanese) the third generation ruins the house
(Italian) from stables to stars to stables
(Australian)from goon to Grange to goon
(Britain) sandals to sandals in three generations

Translations

wealth earned in one generation seldom lasts

Chinese:
Mandarin: 富不過三代, 富不过三代
Finnish: minkä yksi sukupolvi rakentaa, sen toinen kasvattaa ja kolmas hävittää

German: Erwerben, Vererben, Verderben (earn it, bequeath it, spoil it)
Italian: la prima generazione fa i soldi, la seconda se li gode e la terza li finisce

References

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs

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[1] The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs