Famous Proverbs

1] He that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin

2] Don’t cut the bough you are standing on

3] A hungry man is angry man

4] You cannot get blood (or water) out of a stone

5] A forced kindness deserves no thanks

6] A prophet is without honour in his own country

7] Marry in haste, repent at leisure

8] When the ear will not listen, the heart escapes sorrow

9] He is not fit to command others, that cannot command himself

10] If you have known one, you have known them all

11] Love sees no fault

12] What can you expect from a hog but a grunt?

13] What is not even scabies, he makes out to be an ulcer

14] Better the last smile than the first laugh

15] All cats love fish but fear to wet their paws

16] No cross, no crown

17] Don’t kick against the pricks

18] When we have gold, we are in fear; when we have none we are in danger

19] A quarrelsome man has no good neighbours

20] An ill wound is cured, not an ill name

21] Like mistress, like maid

22] Wine uncloaks the words of the heart

23] A good drink makes the old young

24] What is shown by example, men think they may justly do

25] We can live without our friends, but not without our neighbours

26] Give us the tools, and we will finish the job

27] A true friend is forever a friend

28] Wrong never comes right

29] A friend in need is a friend indeed

30] Sickness soaks the purse

31] A man of many trades, begs his bread on Sunday

32] You cannot make bricks without straw

33] In wine there is truth

34] If the cap fits, wear it

35] No man is content with his lot

36] The fire which warms us a distance will burn us when near

37] Love me, love the crows on my roof

38] Where bad’s the best, bad must be the choice

39] You may have too much of a good thing

40] An old ox makes a straight furrow

41] When the weather is cold, there is not such thing as dirty clothing

42] In a church, in an inn, and in a coffin, all men are equal

43] What’s learnt in the cradle lasts till the tomb

44] He that flings dirt at another dirtieth himself most

45] He who does not heed the good advice of an experienced person will soon find himself suffering for his stubbornness.

46] The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach

47] Even the weariest river winds somewhere safe to sea

48] Fools grow without watering.

49] Lend your money and lose a friend

50] Out of debt, out of danger

51] They say so’ is half a lie

52] All men are mortal

53] A sluggard takes a hundred steps because he would not take one in due time.

54] Through hardship to the stars

55] A rolling stone gathers no moss

56] Everyone puts his fault on the times.

57] A golden key opens every door

58] It is better to conceal one’s knowledge than to reveal one’s ignorance

59] Life is not all beer and skittles

60] To be discontented is to be like a snake trying to swallow an elephant

61] Anger managers everything badly.

62] He who touches pitch will be defiled

63] You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

64] A fool may give a wise man counsel

65] So many countries, so many customs

66] Friendship is a plant which must be often watered

67] Dying is as natural as living

68] He that promises too much means nothing

69] Haste trips up (or over) its own heels

70] He is wise who looks ahead

71] Trusting often makes fidelity

72] A good anvil does not fear the hammer

73] The bigger they are, the harder they fall

74] They are rich who have true friends

75] Black will take no other hue

76] He daren’t say ‘boo’ to a goose

77] Rust wastes more than use

78] Spit to the heavens, and spittle falls on your own nose

79] Example is the greatest of all seducers

80] He who considers too much will perform little.

81] Names and natures do often agree

82] Small is beautiful

83] You cannot skimp on the fodder and have an energetic horse.

84] Every deed is to be judges by the doer’s intention.

85] Courtesy is the inseparable companion of virtue

86] He that never ate flesh, thinks a pudding is a dainty

87] Love knows no limit

88] Ready money is a ready remedy

89] It is more blessed to give than to receive

90] Do not limp before the lame

91] No bees, no honey’, that sweetness will come in to the mouth

92] Failure teaches success

93] Better beg than steal.

94] The proof of the pudding lies in the eating

95] Easier said than done

96] The world is full of fools

97] Good counsel has no price. Nothing is given so freely as advice.

98] When the butcher has already killed your pig, it is useless to discuss with him the price

99] What is word but wind?

100] Mustard is a good sauce, but mirth is better