Famous Proverbs

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

2] Cruelty is more cruel, if we defer the pain

3] Time stays not for the fool’s leisure

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

5] Opportunity makes the thief

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

7] Lose a leg rather than a life

8] The tongue breaks bone, and herself has none

9] The devil dances in an empty pocket

10] A good face is a letter of recommendation

11] You can’t win them all

12] He that has a fellow-ruler, has an over-ruler. ¶ There is no good accord, where every man would be a lord

13] Every oak has been an acorn

14] Great minds think alike

15] Death does not recognize strength

16] Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

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

18] He that would catch fish must venture his bait

19] Appearances are deceptive

20] The best of men are but men at best.

21] A door must be either shut or open

22] He that sows virtue reaps fame

23] He that knows little often repeats it

24] If we have not the world’s wealth, we have the world’s ease

25] You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear

26] The wise forget an insult, as the ungrateful a kindness

27] Creditors have better memories than debtors

28] He that obey cannot command

29] Far from eye, far from heart

30] The more wicked, the more lucky

31] Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

32] A useful trade is a mine of gold

33] Don’t cast your pearls before swine

34] He is wise who looks ahead

35] Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory

36] If you walk in the sun, you will know the blessedness of being in the shade

37] Beggars must not be choosers

38] A burdened conscience will never need a hangman

39] Fire is a good servant a bad master

40] If you would be well served, serve yourself

41] We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.

42] The best wine comes from an old vessel

43] The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence

44] Adventures are to be adventurous

45] Go not to hell for company

46] Nothing befalls any man which he is not fitted to endure

47] No tie can oblige the perfidious

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

49] God rejoices when one beggar scratches another

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

51] He that praises himself, spatters himself

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

53] Trust is dead-ill payment killed it.

54] First thrive then wive

55] A good dog deserves a good bone

56] Water far away will not extinguish a fire that is nearby; relatives far from you are not as good as neighbours close to you.

57] Never do things by halves

58] The best of men are but men at best.

59] There are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it

60] A child can have too much of his mother’s blessings

61] Accusing the times is but excusing ourselves.

62] The dancing girl who could not dance, said that the hall was not big enough.

63] Home is home though it be never so homely

64] It is ill sitting at Rome and striving against the pope

65] Big fish eat little fish

66] Wedlock is padlock

67] There is no smoke without fire

68] All work and no play makes jack a dull boy

69] Those who sell dog-meat often display a lamb’s head

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

71] Marry in haste, repent at leisure

72] A rose by any other name would smell as sweet

73] How seldom in life is the moon directly overhead

74] They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts

75] Nature surpasses art

76] Virtue is its own reward

77] Unpaid debts are unforgiven sins

78] Even silence may be eloquent

79] Fools live poor to die rich

80] Hope deferred makes the heart sick

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

82] If wishes were horses, beggars would ride (or might ride)

83] He thinks not well that thinks not again

84] Praise makes good men better and bad men worse

85] Plain dealing is best. Plain dealing is a jewel

86] A heavy purse makes a light heart

87] Never do evil that good may come of it

88] A bad padlock invites a picklock

89] He is a gentleman that has gentle conditions

90] A fool’s bolt may sometimes hit the mark

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

92] When the word is out it belongs to another

93] One kindness is the price of another

94] Divine grace was never slow

95] An occasion lost cannot be redeemed

96] A kind heart loseth nought at last.

97] Erring is not heating

98] You must lose a fly to catch a trout

99] Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

100] He who says what he likes shall hear what he does not like