Famous Proverbs

1] A good reaper deserves a good sickle.

2] He who can wait obtains what he wishes.

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

4] God helps those who help themselves

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

6] The whole boat is putrid because of a single carp

7] Half an egg is better than empty shell

8] A tiger that roars is not a man-eater

9] All is vanity.

10] Every man has his faults

11] You know what you can do till you try.

12] None but the brave deserves the fair

13] The longest (or farthest) way round is the nearest (or shortest) way home.

14] Many dishes make many diseases

15] Do not triumph before the victory

16] Jam tomorrow and jam yesterday – but never jam today

17] What costs little is little esteemed

18] A bad excuse is better than none at all

19] He loves roast meat well that licks the spit.

20] Far fowls have fair feather

21] It is hard to wive and thrive both in a year

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

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

24] Set a beggar on horse back and he’ll ride to the devil

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

26] Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory

27] Charity begins at home.

28] Send a fool to France and he’ll come back a fool

29] Where grooms and householders are all alike great, very disastrous will it be for the houses and all that dwell in them

30] Gold is tried in the fire

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

32] Hasty climbers have sudden falls

33] Let people laugh, as long as I am warm

34] A sleepy master makes his servant a lout

35] He that serves well need not be afraid to ask his wages

36] The worth of a thing is best known by the want of it

37] It is as natural to die as to be born

38] Soft fire makes sweet malt

39] Hope often deludes the foolish man

40] Even reckoning makes long friends

41] He who can wait obtains what he wishes.

42] Keep not ill men company, lest you increase the number

43] Arms bend inwards – not outwards.

44] He is rich that has few wants

45] The cat would eat fish and would not wet her feet

46] Accidents will happen in the best regulated families

47] Strings high stretched either soon crack or quickly grow out of tune.

48] He that is fallen cannot help him that is down

49] You cannot teach an old dog new tricks

50] Ugly women finely dressed, are the uglier for it.

51] Nothing is impossible to a willing heart

52] He may find fault that cannot mend

53] A good conscience is a soft pillow

54] Riches rather enlarge than satisfy appetites

55] Ill weeds grow apace (or fast)

56] An old horse knows the route

57] While there is life, there is hope

58] Where there are reeds, there is water

59] A good paymaster needs no surety

60] All cats love fish but fear to wet their paws

61] He is not fit to command others, that cannot command himself

62] A fool believes everything

63] Bold resolution is the favourite of providence

64] Repentance is a bitter physic

65] Might knows no right

66] We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.

67] You never know what you can do till you try

68] Nothing crave, nothing have

69] It takes two to make a quarrel

70] Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise

71] There is nothing new under the sun

72] A man may say too much, even up on the best subjects

73] No honest man ever repented his honesty

74] When someone gives up a peach, return him a plum

75] No man can serve two masters

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

77] Ill news comes unsent for.

78] A good wife and health is a man’s best wealth

79] While the word is in your mouth, it is your own; when ‘tis another’s

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

81] He who works before dawn will soon his own master

82] You can’t tell a book by its cover

83] What is word but wind?

84] The knowledge of a learned man is limited if he stays at home all the time

85] Servants will not be diligent, where the master’s negligent

86] Revenge never repairs an injury

87] The end justifies the means

88] No road is long with good company

89] Between two stools you fall to the ground

90] Experience is not always the kindest of teachers, but it is surely the best

91] If we have not the world’s wealth, we have the world’s ease

92] Covetousness is always filling a bottomless vessel

93] Hazard not your wealth on a poor man’s advice

94] Hope is but the dream of those that wake

95] The dog that is idle barks at his fleas, but he that is hunting feels them not.

96] Give a servant a rod, and he’ll beat his master

97] A liar is not believed when he speaks the truth

98] Still waters run deep

99] Give a clown your finger, and he will take your hand

100] We shall lie all alike in our graves