Famous Proverbs

1] Silence gives (or means) consent

2] Not good is it to harp on the on the frayed string

3] None so busy as those who do nothing.

4] The coward threatens only when he is safe

5] A great city, a great solitude

6] Who is more busy than he that has least to do?

7] He is a fool that kisses the maid when he may kiss the mistress

8] Custom makes all things easy

9] Self-preservation is the first law of nature

10] Zeal is fit only for wise men, but is found mostly in fools

11] Findings are keepings

12] Where grooms and householders are all alike great, very disastrous will it be for the houses and all that dwell in them

13] The borrower is servant to the lender

14] The more a man dreams, the less he believes

15] Ask no question and you’ll be told no lies

16] Long tarrying takes all the thanks away

17] All for one, and one for all.

18] The devil lurks behind the cross

19] He that lends, gives

20] By falling we learn to go safely

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

22] What has been, may be

23] Better to ask the way than go astray.

24] No man is infallible

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

26] Not even Hercules could contend against two

27] They are rich who have true friends

28] To refuse and to give tardily is all the same

29] Be just before you are generous

30] To study a great deal is to acquire a priceless treasure

31] Money is the only monarch

32] Keep some till further more come

33] Nature is the true law

34] Without luck, it is better not to be born

35] If youth knew what age would crave. It would both get and save

36] A man turned pig no longer fears filth

37] Misery acquaints men with strange bedfellows

38] Youth and age will never agree

39] A willful man will have his way

40] When wrath speaks, wisdom veils her face.

41] Love your neighbour, yet pull not down your hedge

42] Life means strife

43] Flesh is frail

44] Long roads test the horse; long dealings test the friend

45] A good servant should never be in the way and never out of the way

46] Keep no more cats than will catch mice

47] Water is a boon in the desert, but the drowning man curses it.

48] One sheep follows another

49] If every man would sweep before his own door, the city would soon be clean

50] You cannot have your cake and eat it

51] A fool is ever dancing on the tip of his tongue

52] A living dog is better than a dead lion

53] An old fox is not easily snared

54] Little birds that can sing and won’t sing should be made to sing

55] When meat is in anger is out

56] Do it now

57] No convenience without its inconvenience

58] Knowledge humbles the great man, astonishes the common man and puffeth up the little man

59] Everything must have a beginning

60] A dwarf on a giant’s shoulders sees the farther of the two

61] Wine is the best broom for trouble

62] Hunger is the best sauce

63] He is a fool who makes his physician his heir

64] Use makes mastery

65] Lovers are madmen

66] Pursuits become habits

67] There’s no place like home

68] The best fish swim near the bottom

69] An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening

70] There is none misfortune cannot reach

71] Little things are great to little men

72] A bribe will enter without knocking

73] Virtue and happiness are mother and daughter

74] The worth of a thing is best known by the want of it

75] Virtue is a jewel of great price.

76] The quarrel of lovers is the renewal of love

77] If the lad goes to the well against his will, either the can will break or the water will spill

78] Marriage makes or mars a man

79] God comes with leaden feet, but strikes with iron hands

80] It is easy to do what one’s own self wills

81] Charity excuseth not cheating.

82] Give a dog a bad name and hang him

83] One needs a full stomach to keep the precepts

84] You cannot sell the cow and sup the milk

85] A wise man will learn something even from the words of a fool

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

87] Praises fill not the belly

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

89] Debt is an evil conscience

90] Hasty climbers have sudden falls

91] Findings are keepings

92] If the father is spotted, the son will be speckled

93] Coming events cast their shadows before

94] If there were no clouds, we should not enjoy the sun

95] One must howl with the wolves

96] Wrong never comes right

97] Even if you wash a crow with rose- water, its feathers won’t become white.

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

99] By doing nothing, we learn to do ill

100] In wine there is truth