Famous Proverbs

1] The best fish swim near the bottom

2] Innocence is no protection

3] Give him an inch and he’ll take a yard

4] He who does not rise early never does a good day’s work

5] Of the ten fingers, some are long and some are short.

6] A drowning man will clutch at a straw

7] Never too late to learn

8] When in Rome, do as the Romans do

9] He who begins many things, finishes but few

10] Even a clever wife cannot prepare a meal when there is no food

11] Sailors get their money like horses, and spend it like asses

12] For a web begun, God sends the thread

13] The leopard cannot change its spots

14] Where god will help, nothing does harm

15] Seeing is believing

16] Everyone puts his fault on the times.

17] An old horse knows the route

18] A man in debt is caught in a net

19] The worth of a thing is what it will bring

20] When children stand quiet, they have done some ill.

21] Danger makes men devout

22] Nothing is as good as it seems before hand

23] Catch your bear before you sell its skin

24] Don’t make yourself a mouse, or the cat will eat you

25] The devil looks after his own

26] The more wicked, the more lucky

27] Our worst misfortunes are those which never befall us

28] A learned man has always riches in himself

29] Rich folk have many friends

30] Poverty is not a crime

31] A good beginning makes a good ending.

32] Opportunity makes the thief

33] Good counsel never comes amiss

34] They that value not praise, will never do anything worthy of praise

35] Corn him well and he will work better

36] First catch your hare

37] The highest branch is not the safest roost

38] The devil lurks behind the cross

39] The hero appears only when the tiger is dead

40] He who depends on another, dines ill and sups worse

41] Rust wastes more than use

42] Give and take is fair play

43] Cheap is dear in the long run.

44] The darkest hour is that before the dawn

45] Blood will have blood

46] Pat any man and dust will fly

47] Two midwives will twist the baby’s head

48] With seven nurses, the child loses its eye

49] One father is more than a hundred school masters

50] Haste makes waste

51] Slow and steady wins the race

52] You cannot teach an old dog new tricks

53] Never catch a falling knife or a falling friend

54] Sour, sweet, bitter and pungent flavours must all be tasted

55] He who touches pitch will be defiled

56] The wisest of the wise may err.

57] A joke’s a very serious thing

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

59] Set a wolf to keep the sheep

60] The higher the mountain, the greater the descent

61] Many a true word is spoken in jest

62] A merchant that gains not, loses

63] Fields have eyes and woods have ears

64] Virtue is its own reward

65] The bee sucks honey out of the bitterest flowers

66] All good things must come to an end

67] Fool’s haste is no speed

68] Confession of our fault is the next thing to innocence

69] Truth lies at the bottom of the well

70] It is good sheltering under an old hedge

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

72] One of these days is none of these days

73] He who last, laughs longest.

74] Necessity breaks iron

75] He who can wait obtains what he wishes.

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

77] It is well to live that one may learn

78] The bee sucks honey out of the bitterest flowers

79] Laugh and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone

80] Ask, and it shall be given to you.

81] Marriage is a lottery

82] We should publish our joys and conceal our griefs

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

84] A wise man cares not for what he cannot have

85] He who serves is not free

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

87] The reason of the strongest is always the best.

88] Better unborn than untaught

89] Praise no man till he is dead.

90] God gives the grain, but we must make the furrow

91] Think on the end before you begin

92] The more cost, the more honour

93] Keep some till further more come

94] Four eyes see more than two

95] You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs

96] Love is without reason

97] Cast not the first stone.

98] Manners make the man

99] Neglect will kill an injury sooner than revenge

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