Famous Proverbs

1] Habits are at first cobwebs, at last cables

2] Anger and haste hinder good counsel

3] The tongue stings

4] A kind heart loseth nought at last.

5] God comes with leaden feet, but strikes with iron hands

6] There are hills, and there are swamps as well.

7] The last straw breaks the camel’s back

8] Virtue is its own reward

9] The belly carries the legs

10] Every little helps

11] Men are not angles

12] The surest way to remain poor is to be an honest man

13] Blood is thicker than water

14] Adam’s ale is the best brew

15] A man’s wealth is his enemy

16] The pleasures of the mighty are the tears of the poor

17] Precept begins, examples accomplish

18] Destroy the lion while he is yet but a whelp

19] Once you have been bitten by a snake, even a piece of cord will frighten you.

20] Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down

21] Fair is he that comes, but fairer is he that brings.

22] If two men ride on a horse, one must ride behind

23] The rain of tears is necessary to the harvest of learning

24] If wishes were butter cakes, beggars might bite

25] Between two stools you fall to the ground

26] The more cost, the more honour

27] He is not laughed at the laughs at himself first

28] Open confession is good for the soul

29] You may lead (or take) a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink

30] Innocence is no protection

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

32] There is nothing that costs less than civility

33] A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle.

34] A guilty conscience needs no accuser

35] There’s many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip

36] Many doctors, death accomplished

37] Be not too bold with your biggers or betters

38] Keep some till further more come

39] Friendship should not be all on one side

40] Money is the sinew of affairs

41] Art improves Nature

42] An arrow shot upright falls on the shooter’s head

43] You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

44] If you would be well served, serve yourself

45] He that travels far knows much

46] It is a silly fish that is caught twice with the same bait.

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

48] It is as well to know which way the wind blows

49] Don’t build the sty before the litter comes

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

51] Practice what you preach

52] Second thoughts are best

53] Brute strength without reason falls of its own weight

54] Don’t judge any man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins.

55] No man is born wise or learned

56] He that loveth danger shall perish therein

57] Better be born lucky than wise.

58] Even reckoning makes long friends

59] Every law has a loophole

60] Do as I say, not as I do

61] We live by laws, not by examples

62] He that wants health wants all

63] A blind man who sees is better than a seeing man who is blind

64] See which way the cat jumps

65] Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves

66] Small is the seed of every greatness

67] Parents are patterns

68] A spear you can see can easily be avoided; a hidden arrows is difficult to guard against.

69] The grace of God enough

70] Save a thief from the gallows and he’ll cut your throat

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

72] He that boasts of his own knowledge proclaims his ignorance

73] God (or Providence) is always on the side of big battalions

74] Habits are at first cobwebs, at last cables.

75] Better say noting than no to the purpose

76] Blessed is he who excepts nothing, for he shall never be disappointed

77] It is a good horse that never stumbles, and a good wife that never grumbles

78] God’s help is better than the early rising

79] When meat is in anger is out

80] Not good is it to harp on the on the frayed string

81] Let every pedlar carry his own burden

82] Files are easier caught with honey than with vinegar

83] He that talks much, errs much

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

85] Life is short and time is swift

86] What you don’t know can’t hurt you

87] However much the arm may swing out, the armpit is where it sticks

88] Nature is content with little.

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

90] He who rides on a tiger can never dismount

91] There is many a fair thing full false

92] Counsel must be followed, not praised.

93] He that has nothing need fear to lose nothing

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

95] A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword

96] Every commodity has its discommodity

97] Gold may be bought too dear

98] A mill cannot grind with water that is past

99] Cowards die often. He that fears death lives not

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