If wishes were horses, beggars would ride

Proverbial Meaning: Wishing for things you cannot have serves no purpose.

Literal Origins: People wish for things all the time that they cannot have, if everyone's wishes were granted even the poorest beggar would be able to ride a horse like a gentleman (would have done before expensive cars were invented).

Common Usage: This proverb is used rarely, but some people might use it as a quote to someone who has made a pointless wish for something unattainable.