Don't make plans based on something good that you expect to happen but that hasn't happened yet; don't assume success before it's certain.
This proverb dates back to ancient times, with versions appearing in Aesop's fables around 600 BCE. The story tells of someone who counts anticipated chickens from eggs not yet hatched, only to lose everything when the eggs break. The English version became popular in the 16th century.
This is one of humanity's oldest recorded pieces of practical wisdom, showing that the tendency to prematurely celebrate expected success is truly timeless. The agricultural metaphor was perfect for ancient audiences who understood the real risks of egg-hatching, making the lesson both literal and figurative.
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