Famous Proverbs

1] He that will not go over the stile, must be thrust through the gate

2] Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion

3] It takes two to make a quarrel

4] Law cannot persuade where it cannot punish

5] One sword keeps another in the sheath

6] Knowledge humbles the great man, astonishes the common man and puffeth up the little man

7] Learn weeping and you shall gain laughing

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

9] In vain they rise early that used to rise late

10] Anger makes a rich man hated, and a poor man scorned.

11] Confess and be hanged

12] Money makes the man

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

14] Pleasant hours fly past

15] Where there are reeds, there is water

16] The labourer is worthy of his hire

17] Money isn’t everything

18] Nothing ventured, nothing gained

19] Wiles help weak folk

20] Every cloud has a silver lining

21] There is plenty of sound in an empty barrel

22] The hunchback does not see his own hump, but his companion’s

23] A banana tree won’t bear fruit twice.

24] Money is the sinew of affairs

25] When the weather is cold, there is not such thing as dirty clothing

26] The proud will sooner lose than ask the way

27] Gnaw the bone which is fallen to thy lot

28] A fox should not be of the jury at a goose’s trial

29] Give and take is fair play

30] He that fights and runs away may live to fight another day

31] Pardoning the bad is injuring the good

32] The remedy for injuries is not to remember them

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

34] Bad excuses are worse than none.

35] You cannot teach an old dog new tricks

36] Who repairs not his gutter, repairs his whole house

37] Tomorrow never comes

38] If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas

39] Local ginger is never as hot as imported ginger

40] His bark is worse than his bite

41] He that will steal an egg, will steal an ox

42] Either mend or end

43] Grief pent up will break the heart

44] He that has a tongue in his head may find his way anywhere

45] To advise someone not to gamble is to win money for him

46] Live and let live

47] Never catch a falling knife or a falling friend

48] Wrong never comes right

49] Vows made in storms are forgotten in calm

50] He that will not endure to itch must endure to smart

51] Do not kick against the pricks

52] He learned timely to beg that could not say ‘Nay’

53] Precept begins, examples accomplish

54] The love of money is the root of all evil

55] Where there is peace, God is

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

57] He laughs best who laughs last

58] Every one thinks his own cross is heaviest

59] When the ear will not listen, the heart escapes sorrow

60] Everyone is a kin to the rich man

61] An old man’s sayings are seldom untrue

62] A good beginning is half the battle.

63] Enough is as good as a feast

64] When we sing, everybody hears us; when sigh, nobody hears us

65] Know when to spend and when to spare, and you need not be busy, you’ll never be bare

66] God forgives sins, otherwise heaven would be empty.

67] It is easier to commend poverty than endure it.

68] He that serves every body is paid by nobody

69] Every man to his trade.

70] There’s always room at the top

71] Let sleeping dogs lie

72] The calmest husbands make the stormiest wives

73] Gold is tried in the fire

74] Good counsel has no price. Nothing is given so freely as advice.

75] Don’t cry stinking fish

76] At the end of the game, you’ll see who’s the winner

77] Evil to him who evil thinks.

78] Even though one’s aunt sells the cakes, one will not buy unless they are cheap.

79] Children should be seen and not heard

80] Life would be too smooth, if it has no rubs in it.

81] Christmas comes but once a year

82] The best go first

83] An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth

84] A good tongue is a good weapon

85] Mustard is a good sauce, but mirth is better

86] It is not easy to steal when the landlord is a thief

87] Young colts will canter.

88] He that seeks trouble never misses

89] It is as hard to please a knave as knight

90] The pitcher goes often to the well that it is broken at last

91] One man sows and another reaps

92] One today is worth two tomorrows

93] If you wish good advice, consult an old man

94] Hope is grief’s best music

95] He that comes of a hen, must scrape

96] There is a black sheep in every flock

97] Our own opinion is never wrong

98] Better a lean peace than a fat victory

99] There is many a good tune played on an old fiddle

100] He that travels far knows much