Idioms or proverbs to express that the time goes only one direction.

[Mila2015]

I am looking for any expressions to show that we can't turn time back, using the RIVER as a metaphor.
So far I have two on my mind:
— You can never step in the same river twice
— No way to hold back the river

Which one sounds better?

 

[probus]

Here's the actual English idiom that has that meaning: It's water under the bridge. It means that whatever has already happened can never be changed.

 

[Raymott]

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”
― Heraclitus ~ 500BC. (The original was in ancient Greek.)

 

[Mila2015]

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”
― Heraclitus ~ 500BC. (The original was in ancient Greek.)

Here we go! I love this one!

 

[Rover_KE]

You can't turn the clock back.

You can't put the toothpaste back in the tube.

You can't put the genie back in the bottle.

 

[Roman55]

Time and tide wait for no man.

 

[MikeNewYork]

90 clocks? Are you a collector or anal retentive?

 

[Elliot67]

One I have heard, and often use in its Spanish version, is "Don't cross the bridge before reaching the river".

 

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forum, Elliot.

Unfortunately, that expression does not mean what the rest of the sayings in this thread mean.:-(