Famous Proverbs

1] Wiles help weak folk

2] Better are small fish than an empty dish

3] The result justifies the deed

4] The devil is not as black as he is painted

5] Better no doctor at all than three.

6] A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder

7] Call no man happy till he is dead

8] Quickly come, quickly go

9] Liars should have good memories

10] Red ink gives what it touches a pink glow; black ink gives what it touches a dirty stain.

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

12] He that demands misses not, unless his demands be foolish

13] A horse that will not carry a saddle must have no oats.

14] Necessity turns a lion into a fox

15] Every ass likes to hear himself bray

16] He preaches well (or best) that lives well (or best).

17] Easier said than done

18] Bold men have generous hearts

19] Thrift is a great revenue

20] Children should be seen and not heard

21] If you would wed fitly, wed in your station

22] If one sheep leaps over the ditch (or dyke), all the rest will follow

23] Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them

24] The camel never sees its own hump, but that of its brother is always before its eyes

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

26] Never too late to repent

27] Pride is the mask of one’s own faults

28] Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me

29] The effect speaks, the tongue need not

30] Anger without power is folly

31] No man is content with his lot

32] Oaks may fall when reeds stand the storm

33] When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war

34] There is no garden without its weeds

35] Big words seldom go with good deeds

36] He that repairs not a part, builds all

37] The end makes all equal

38] No man so good but another may be as good as he

39] Let the buyer beware

40] Give yourself a pinch, and you will know how a pinch must hurt others

41] First try and then trust

42] Marriages are made in heaven

43] Curiosity is ill manners in another’s house

44] It at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again

45] Patience surpasses learning

46] Death devours lambs as well as sheep

47] Never catch a falling knife or a falling friend

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

49] An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.

50] Eaten bread is soon forgotten

51] He that touches pitch shall be defiled

52] Extreme justice is extreme injustice.

53] He who does not heed the good advice of an experienced person will soon find himself suffering for his stubbornness.

54] Put not the bucket too often in the well

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

56] The best wine comes from an old vessel

57] If you can’t ride two horses at once, you shouldn’t be in the circus

58] An evil life is a kind of death.

59] You cannot get blood (or water) out of a stone

60] Put out your tubs when it is raining

61] That fish will soon be caught that nibbles at every bait

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

63] Honesty is the best policy

64] Where there is peace, God is

65] A crowd is not company

66] A little impatience will spoil great plans

67] Loyalty is worth more than money

68] A man with no hands is given a ring.

69] Good hand, good hire

70] A man may bear till his back breaks

71] A good servant must have good wages

72] The longest way round is the shortest way home

73] Lend, and lose the loan or gain an enemy

74] A good tongue is a good weapon

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

76] Does sound come from an unstruck drum?

77] The hole calls the thief

78] Waste is not grandeur

79] Wine does not intoxicate men; men intoxicate themselves

80] Three helping one another, bear the burthen of six.

81] Don’t swap horses while crossing a stream

82] It chances in an hour, that appears not in seven years

83] Virtue is praised by all, but practiced by few

84] Abundance, like want, ruins many

85] God comes at last when think he is farthest off

86] Who hath a good trade, through all waters may wade

87] Everything tempts the man who fears temptation. If you can’t be good, be careful.

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

89] Barking dogs seldom bite

90] There are more ways of killing a cat than choking it with cream.

91] The tree that god plants, no wind hurts it

92] When the dog catches mice, it is meddling in the cat’s business.

93] Covetousness breaks the sack

94] Submitting to one wrong brings on another.

95] A good garden may have some ill weeds

96] A bribe will enter without knocking

97] The deed comes back upon the doer.

98] An oak is not felled at one stroke

99] Too many cooks spoil the broth

100] Travel makes a wise man better, but a fool worse