hendak seribu daya, tak hendak seribu dalih

Malay

Etymology

Literally, 'If you want, you have the strength of a thousand; If you don't want, you have the excuses of a thousand'.

Proverb

hendak seribu daya, tak hendak seribu dalih

1. If someone wants to do something, that individual will try to do it; if someone doesn't want to do something, they will give excuses.