Famous Proverbs

1] A change is as good as rest

2] Eat to live and not live to eat.

3] The garment worn determines how one is served

4] In indecision itself, grief is present.

5] Local ginger is never as hot as imported ginger

6] Law cannot persuade where it cannot punish

7] Whether the pitcher strikes the stone, or the stone the pitcher, it is bad for the pitcher

8] Good company on the road is the shortest cut

9] The hand that gives, gathers

10] Man does what he can, and God what he will

11] He that desires but little has no deed of much

12] When two tigers fight, one is sure to be hurt

13] A penny saved is a penny gained

14] Ill weeds grow apace (or fast)

15] When in doubt, do nothing

16] A cat has nine lives

17] Little things please little minds

18] Where there is a question, there must be an answer

19] Better a good cow than a cow of a good kind

20] Don’t bargain for fish which are still in the water

21] The peony, though large, is useless; the date blossom, though small, yields fruit

22] Worse things happen at sea

23] He that eats least eats most

24] When the boat reaches the middle of the river, it is too late to repair the leak

25] No like is the same.

26] Better be first in a village than second at Rome

27] Virtue is a jewel of great price.

28] Love rules without a sword, and binds without a cord

29] Fortune knocks once at everyone’s door (or gate)

30] Better late than never, but better never late

31] When in Rome, do as the Romans do

32] Care killed the cat

33] A true man and a thief think not the same

34] God tempers that wind to the shorn lamb

35] A good wife makes a good husband

36] When fortune smiles, embrace her.

37] Every ass thinks himself worthy to stand with the kings horses.

38] A watched pot never boils

39] Take the tone of the company you are in

40] Death does not recognize strength

41] A traveller may lie with authority

42] A dragon that is stranded in shallow water, becomes the butt of shrimps

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

44] Well done is better than well said

45] God’s lambs will play.

46] Beauty is eloquent even when silent

47] Let not thy tongue run away with thy brains

48] Too long burden makes weary bones

49] What costs little is little esteemed

50] When one door shuts, another opens

51] A gentleman never remembers unkindness shown towards him

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

53] Truth is mighty and will prevail

54] A fool always rushes to the fore.

55] Put too much lemon-grass into the curry and you’ll spoil the flavour

56] Pursuits become habits

57] From word to deed is a great space

58] A wounded reputation is seldom cured

59] Truth lies at the bottom of the well

60] To err is human; to forgive, divine

61] He who has seen little marvels much

62] Nothing is given so freely as advice

63] At open doors, dogs come in

64] There is no garden without its weeds

65] Blessings brighten as they take their flight

66] The mill cannot grind with water that is past

67] The mouse that has but one hole is quickly taken

68] Hypocrisy is a homage that vice pay to virtue

69] All things are difficult before they are easy

70] Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know the man

71] Handsome is as handsome does

72] An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

73] Some have been thought brave because they are afraid to run away

74] There is death in the pot.

75] Dirty linen should be washed at home

76] It is more blessed to give than to receive

77] We live by laws, not by examples

78] Human blood is all of a colour

79] Ignorance is the peace of life

80] What is worse than ill luck?

81] Poor men go to heaven as soon as rich

82] Where god will help, nothing does harm

83] No garden without its weeds.

84] Do as most men do, then most men well speak well of you

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

86] Between two stools you fall to the ground

87] Trust is the mother of deceit

88] He who sits in the well to observe the sky does not see very much.

89] He who does no good, does evil enough

90] If one sheep leaps o’er the dyke, all the rest will follow

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

92] The road to hell is paved with good action

93] Slow and steady wins the race

94] Don’t put the cart before the horse

95] A fool’s bolt is soon shot

96] Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face

97] A foolish man knows not the art of forgiveness

98] Children speak only words they have heard.

99] Once bitten, twice shy.

100] God gives us the milk, but not the pail