Famous Proverbs

1] If there were no receivers, there would be no thieves

2] Better an open enemy than a false friend

3] Of three main roads, take the middle one

4] It is courage that wins, and not good weapons

5] You cannot put a quart into a pint pot

6] We always weaken whatever we exaggerate

7] Great gain makes easy work

8] If you can’t bite, never show your teeth.

9] Men are not to be measured in inches

10] Where there is no might, right loses itself

11] A man apt to promise, is apt to forget

12] A good name is better than a golden girdle

13] He that will thrive must rise at five

14] Ill gotten, ill spent

15] He who rides on a tiger can never dismount

16] The grapes are sour’, as the fox said when he could not reach them

17] Cut your coat according to your cloth

18] Don’t have too many irons in the fire

19] Poverty does not hurt him who has not been rich before

20] Might knows no right

21] The falling drops hollow the stone

22] He who is afraid of asking is ashamed of learning

23] When misfortune sleeps, let no one wake her

24] Health is better than wealth

25] First impressions are half the battle

26] Life begins only in success

27] That which proves too much proves nothing

28] The early bird catches the worm

29] A good wife and health is a man’s best wealth

30] Only with a new ruler do you realize the value of the old

31] All lay loads on a willing horse

32] Help a lame dog over a stile

33] Extreme justice is extreme injustice.

34] Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof

35] Virtue carries a lean purse

36] We do as we can, since we can’t do as we would

37] Nature surpasses art

38] Long absent, soon forgotten

39] Covetousness brings nothing home

40] Virtue and happiness are mother and daughter

41] The labourer is worthy of his hire

42] Bells call others, but themselves enter not in to the church

43] Money is the only monarch

44] Wise is the man who never exposes himself to unnecessary danger

45] Of thy sorrow be not too sad, of thy joy be not too glad

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

47] Let like mate with like

48] Little pitchers have big (or long) ears

49] Advice is something the wise don’t need and fools won’t take

50] From word to deed is a great space

51] It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good

52] The good is often the enemy of the best

53] Opportunity seldom knocks twice

54] He that cannot pay in purse must pay in person

55] Away goes the devil when he finds the door shut against him

56] He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut

57] Mirth without measure is madness

58] A little help is worth a deal of pity

59] While there is life, there is hope

60] The unexpected always happens.

61] Don’t take a bull in to a china shop.

62] The disinterested observer may perceive what is missed by those who are directly involved

63] Desire beautifies what is ugly

64] An account is an account, and a brother a brother.

65] Young saint, old devil.

66] A fool may give a wise counsel. A fool’s bolt may sometimes hit the mark.

67] Patience is a flower that grows not in everyone’s garden

68] It is easier to pour away water than to gather it.

69] Be careful to whom you give

70] The labour we delight in physics pain

71] Little fishes slip through nets, but great fishes are taken

72] Medical plants from one’s own back-yard are no valued.

73] God defend me from my friends; from enemies, I can defend myself.

74] Fortune favours fools

75] One must be a servant before one can be a master

76] Eat an apple going to bed, make the doctor beg his bread.

77] One thief will not rob another

78] There are more ways to kill a dog than hanging it.

79] A growing youth has a wolf in his belly

80] A creaking gate (or door) hangs long

81] The devil tempts all, but the idle man tempts the devil

82] He that ventures not fails not.

83] Poverty is no disgrace but it is a great inconvenience

84] When a man is happy, he does not hear the clock strike

85] Luck for fools and chance for the ugly

86] Might is right

87] Train the child in the way he should go.

88] He that is in poverty is still in suspicion

89] Her that is down need fear no fall

90] Beware of a silent man and still water

91] Like breeds like

92] Zeal without prudence is frenzy

93] Adam’s ale is the best brew

94] Where there is peace, there is blessing

95] Better learn late than never

96] It is as natural to die as to be born

97] If an ass goes a – traveling, he’ll not come home a horse

98] When the word is out it belongs to another

99] Haste trips up (or over) its own heels

100] It costs more to do ill than to do well