Famous Proverbs

1] All things that great men do are well done

2] First come, first served

3] The proof of the pudding lies in the eating

4] When wine sinks, words swim

5] Curses, like chickens, come home to roost

6] The weakest goes to the wall

7] Strings high stretched either soon crack or quickly grow out of tune.

8] Every horse thinks its own pack heaviest

9] If you play with fire you get burnt

10] Pouring oil on the fire is not the way to quench it

11] A curse will not strike out an eye unless a fist goes with it

12] If wishes were butter cakes, beggars might bite

13] Courtesy on one side never lasts long

14] Sadness and happiness succeed each other.

15] Handsome is as handsome does

16] One kindness is the price of another

17] The perfect good is the exercise of virtue

18] Hasty climbers have sudden falls

19] Green leaves enhance the charm of the peony flower

20] Pouring oil on the fire is not the way to quench it

21] One potter envies another

22] Too long burden makes weary bones

23] The unexpected always happens.

24] Envy shoots at others and wounds herself

25] Truth lies at the bottom of the well

26] A good payer is master of another’s purse

27] Take the will for the deed

28] He that has no rest at home is in the world’s hell

29] Black will take no other hue

30] He that will steal a pin will steal a better thing

31] It is an ill sign to see a fox lick a lamb

32] He that dwells next door to a cripple, will learn to halt

33] Great fortune brings with it great misfortune

34] Whether the pitcher strikes the stone, or the stone the pitcher, it is bad for the pitcher

35] Evil often triumphs but never conquers.

36] All meat pleases not all mouths

37] Poor men’s words have little weight

38] Anger begins with folly and ends with repentance.

39] All our pomp the earth covers

40] Practice is the science that gives confidence

41] It never rains it pours

42] One of these days is none of these days

43] It is well to live that one may learn

44] Even the compelling beauty of the Diamond Mountain cannot be appreciated when the stomach is empty

45] He laughs ill that laughs himself to death

46] Cast not the first stone.

47] All griefs with bread are less

48] Absence makes the heart grow fonder

49] Death and life are in the power of the tongue

50] As long lives a merry man as a sad

51] There’s always room at the top

52] He that lives ill, fear follows him

53] Marry in haste, repent at leisure

54] The bread never falls but on its buttered side

55] Old habits die hard

56] A fault once denied is twice committed

57] The hasty leaps over his opportunities

58] There is a time to speak and a time to be silent

59] Death does not recognize strength

60] Truth is god’s daughter

61] The best horse needs breaking, and the aptest child needs teaching

62] All things for not all persons

63] Take time by the forelock

64] Learning is the eye of the mind

65] A jest breaks no bones

66] Take away fuel, take away flame

67] It is as hard to please a knave as knight

68] If the devil finds a man idle, he’ll set him to work

69] Don’t take your harp to the party

70] Children have wide ears and long tongues.

71] God arms the harmless

72] We are all Adam’s children

73] The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

74] He that compiles against his will, is of his own opinion still

75] Soon learnt, soon forgotten

76] Union is strength.

77] A learned man has always riches in himself

78] Discontent is the first step in progress

79] It is easy to bear the misfortunes of others

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

81] There’s a black sheep in every flock

82] Had I fish’ was never good with garlic

83] They also serve who only stand and wait

84] In a clam sea, every man is a pilot

85] A living dog is better than a dead lion

86] What is brought by the wind will be carried away by the wind

87] Calamity is the touchstone of a brave mind

88] Discontent is the first step in progress

89] Better be safe than sorry

90] A gentleman never remembers unkindness shown towards him

91] Plain dealing is a jewel, but they that use it die beggars

92] Judge not the tree by its bark

93] Hope deferred makes the heart sick

94] Comparisons are odious

95] They bow to you when borrowing; you bow to them when collecting

96] T’ is safest making peace with sword in hand

97] A good name is a rich heritage

98] Do as the friar says, not as he does

99] Have patience with a friend rather than lost him forever.

100] Bear with evil and expect good