Famous Proverbs

1] Great hopes make great men

2] The exception proves the rule

3] Appearances are deceptive

4] Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof

5] Truth has no need of rhetoric

6] Before you marry, be sure of a house wherein to tarry

7] When the word is out it belongs to another

8] It is easier to commend poverty than endure it.

9] A chain is no stronger than its weakest link

10] He who serves is not free

11] He who handles a nettle tenderly is soonest stung

12] Fling dirt enough, and some will stick

13] He that mischief hatches mischief catches.

14] Much law but little justice

15] Either mend or end

16] An ape’s an ape, a varlet’s a varlet, though they be clad in silk or scarlet

17] Servants will not be diligent, where the master’s negligent

18] You eat, I dreams, the custard of the day

19] It is more blessed to give than to receive

20] III luck is good for something

21] Wishes can never fill a sack

22] Great minds think alike

23] Empty vessels make the most sound

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

25] Claw me, and I’ll claw thee

26] Quickly come, quickly go

27] Virtue is its own reward

28] Good to begin well, better to end well.

29] Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!

30] No man is his craft’s master the first day

31] Slow and steady wins the race

32] One pair of heels is often worth two pairs of hands

33] He that has nothing need fear to lose nothing

34] Don’t try to run before you walk

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

36] Time and tide wait for no man

37] A word spoken is past recalling

38] Easter so longed for is gone in a day

39] Fine words dress ill deeds

40] Content is better than riches

41] Truth lies at the bottom of the well

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

43] If you agree to carry the calf, they’ll make you carry the cow.

44] Hasty climbers have sudden falls

45] Empty vessels make the most sound

46] An old man’s sayings are seldom untrue

47] The tide must be taken when it comes

48] If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again

49] Names are debts

50] A good heart conquers ill fortune

51] A liar is not believed when he speaks the truth

52] A word spoken is past recalling

53] Mischief comes by the pound and goes away by the ounce

54] Better bend than break

55] Mettle is dangerous in a blind horse

56] Death keeps no calendar

57] One beats the bush, and another catches the birds

58] A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice

59] Crust is better than no bread

60] Findings are keepings

61] Love knows no limit

62] You cannot put an old head on young shoulders.

63] The longest night will have an end

64] He that tells his wife news, is but newly wed

65] Look after your money and don’t make your neighbour a thief

66] In my own house, I am king

67] Fear the Greeks (or Beware of Greeks) bearing gifts

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

69] We should publish our joys and conceal our griefs

70] There is no accounting for tastes

71] Gold may be bought too dear

72] Steer not after every mariner’s direction

73] Better unborn than untaught

74] No one is satisfied with his fortune, nor dissatisfied with his intellect

75] There grows no herb t heal a coward heart

76] Half the world knows not how the other half lives

77] He who rouses a sleeping tiger exposes himself to danger

78] Cleanliness is next to godliness

79] If you pile up enough sand, you make a pagoda

80] Arms bend inwards – not outwards.

81] Better an apple given than eaten

82] Worse things happen at sea

83] Virtue and happiness are mother and daughter

84] Fair is he that comes, but fairer is he that brings.

85] Harp not for ever on the same string

86] An open door may tempt a saint

87] If there is no wind, the trees will not move

88] Well done is better than well said

89] He that hopes not for good, fears not evil.

90] Good is good but better carries it

91] Love delights in praise

92] One man eats the jackfruit, another gets his hands sticky

93] A good friend is my nearest relation

94] If you don’t have good weapons, it is better for you to submit

95] A constant guest is never welcome

96] Truth may walk through the world unarmed

97] None can guess the jewel by the casket

98] Forethought is easy, repentance hard

99] One sheep follows another

100] Advice when most needed is least heeded