Famous Proverbs

1] Kindle not a fire that you cannot extinguish

2] He that will not be counseled, cannot be helped

3] There is more than one way to skin a cat.

4] Wise men learn by other men’s harms (or mistakes), fools, by their own

5] The absent party is always to blame.

6] Afflictions are sent to us by God for our good

7] Do as say, not as I do

8] Great barkers are no biters

9] No pot so ugly as not to find a cover

10] A good lather is half the shave

11] Jack would be a gentleman if he could speak French

12] One man’s means another man’s poison

13] The devil finds work for idle hands to do

14] Vice makes virtue shine

15] The righteous man sins before an open chest

16] Do not kick against the pricks

17] A creaking gate (or door) hangs long

18] He should have a long spoon who sups with the devil.

19] A rich miser is poorer than a poor man

20] Money isn’t everything

21] A man without a smiling face must not open a shop

22] First things first

23] The strong man and the waterfall channel their own path

24] A tiger that roars is not a man-eater

25] Health and wealth create beauty

26] When you do not know what to do – wait.

27] Wash your dirty linen at home

28] The most high Good sees and bears; me neighbour knows, nothing, and yet is always finding fault.

29] He that borrows must pay again with shame or loss

30] Brute strength without reason falls of its own weight

31] What is deferred is not abandoned

32] Love is blind

33] Men make houses, women make homes

34] No good building without a good foundation.

35] By falling we learn to go safely

36] Giving much to the poor, doth enrich a man’s store.

37] Children learn to creep ere they can go

38] Don’t wash your dirty linen in public

39] Every path has a puddle

40] You cannot put a quart into a pint pot

41] Let bygones be bygones

42] A man whose conscience is clear, of a knock at midnight has no fear

43] The squeaking wheel gets the grease

44] Man punishes the action but God the intention

45] Patch by patch is good housewifery, but patch upon patch is plain beggary

46] Hew not too high lest the chips fall in thine eye

47] He that will not endure to itch must endure to smart

48] Handsome is as handsome does

49] Barking dogs seldom bite

50] Every commodity has its discommodity

51] He that travels far knows much

52] Will is the cause of woe

53] Desperate diseases need desperate cures

54] Repeat a piece of good advice three times and even a dog will be bored.

55] No choice amongst stinking fish

56] The ass loaded with gold still eats thistles

57] The little cannot be great unless he devours many

58] Give credit where credit is due

59] Harsh words cut wounds that fester like cankerous sores

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

61] It is too late to lock the stable when the horse has been stolen

62] A secret fire is discovered by the smoke

63] He daren’t say ‘boo’ to a goose

64] Every Jack must have his Jill

65] The tongue is more venomous than a serpent’s sting

66] Give me fire and I’ll give you light

67] Why does one man’s yawning make another yawn?

68] Of evil manners, spring good laws

69] Like question, like answer.

70] Old age doesn’t protect from folly

71] He who hesitates is lost

72] Divine grace was never slow

73] The folly of one man is the fortune of another

74] Neglect will kill an injury sooner than revenge

75] First impressions are the most lasting

76] For a web begun, God sends the thread

77] You are never too old to learn

78] Never put off till tomorrow what may be done today

79] How ever much you learn, you won’t know how to raise the dead

80] Borrowed garments never fit well

81] Throw out a sprat to catch a mackerel

82] He that dare not venture must not complain of ill luck

83] When the cat is away, the mice will play

84] Money is the root of all evil

85] Circumstances alter cases

86] Of evil manners, spring good laws

87] An old ox will find a shelter for himself

88] A fool says what he knows, and a wise man knows what he says.

89] Small gifts make friends, great ones make enemies

90] Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him

91] He who serves is not free

92] Zeal without prudence is frenzy

93] There is none misfortune cannot reach

94] A good conscience is a sure card

95] Double charge will rive a cannon

96] Take things as you find them

97] Where there is peace, there is blessing

98] When all men say you are an ass, it is time to bray

99] He that comes first to the hill, may sit where he will.

100] All roads lead to Rome