And with a club statement tragically short of 100 words, Oxford United ruthlessly proved the above saying.
Des Buckingham got United to the promised land. It was Buckingham who navigated the second half of last season, the successful play-off campaign, and then that memorable day at Wembley.
It was Buckingham who ensured the U’s are now playing second tier football for the first time in a quarter of a century.
And now it is Buckingham who is paying the price for United’s shortcomings in recent weeks.
If that is the right phrase to use.
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The U’s are one of the smallest teams at this level. That’s in terms of budget, experience, infrastructure and as many other factors you can think of.
Aside from maybe Plymouth Argyle, United are no doubt the smallest team in Sky Bet Championship.
They were tipped to not just get relegated, but finish rock bottom this season.
Staying in the division would be in football terms, something just short of a miracle.
But the U’s came out strong, thanks to the tactical nous of Buckingham, and won three of their opening five games.
Norwich City, play-off semi-finalists the previous campaign, were swatted aside on the opening day as United swarmed all over the Canaries.
Further victories at home against Preston North End and Stoke City proved the first game of the season was no fluke.
The form since has been well-documented. The U’s have just one win in 15 games.
But still they find themselves above the relegation zone. While the start to the season saw expectations rise exponentially, the target has, and always will be, survival.
United are currently surviving. And that’s what makes the club’s decision to sack Buckingham all the more baffling.
Injuries to key players and in key areas have hit the U’s hard, but how can Buckingham be to blame for that?
The recruitment over the summer had so far failed to provide Buckingham with a seriously strengthened hand.
Jamie Cumming (here last season anyway), Ben Nelson (before he also got injured) and Dane Scarlett can all be regarded as successful summer recruits.
The jury is out on the others though, but that again, is not entirely at the feet of Buckingham.
The feeling is still raw and there is a lot to process. There are also a lot of questions to be answered, but for now, one thing is certain.
Buckingham lifted ambitions and allowed United to dream again. His place in U’s folklore is secure, and for a local lad done good, he can reflect on the tenure with his hometown club with immense pride.