Famous Proverbs

1] Old age doesn’t protect from folly

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

3] One father is more than a hundred school masters

4] A ragged colt may make a good horse.

5] Beauty is in the face; grace is all over.

6] Let like mate with like

7] Big fish eat little fish

8] Real friendship does not freeze in winter

9] Cowardice is afraid to be known or seen

10] He that serves every body is paid by nobody

11] Every man has his price

12] Children speak only words they have heard.

13] See how the wind blows

14] Fingers were made before forks

15] Use the means, and God will give the blessings

16] The least boy always carries the greatest fiddle

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

18] Gnaw the bone which is fallen to thy lot

19] Friendship should not be all on one

20] Poverty parts friendship

21] Claw me, and I’ll claw thee

22] He who aims at the moon may hit the top of a tree; he who aims at the top of a tree is unlikely to get off the ground

23] Divide and rule

24] An old dog barks not in vain

25] He that would have the fruit, must climb the tree.

26] He that obey cannot command

27] At the game’s end we shall see who gains

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

29] The mouse that has but one hole is quickly taken

30] Where bad’s the best, bad must be the choice

31] A fool believes everything

32] The bait hides the hook

33] Fortune knocks once at everyone’s door (or gate)

34] All lay loads on a willing horse

35] Asking costs little

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

37] A burdened conscience will never need a hangman

38] A change is as good as rest

39] The anvil lasts longer than the hammer

40] Like will to like

41] A wise man will learn something even from the words of a fool

42] Too much cunning undoes

43] He who comes first, grinds first.

44] A burnt child dreads the fire

45] One of these days is none of these days

46] Where there is peace, God is

47] We can live without our friends, but not without our neighbours

48] Easy come, easy go

49] A wise man is never less alone than when he is alone

50] Pleasant hours fly past

51] There are more men threatened than stricken

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

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

54] He who waits for another man’s platter has a cold meal

55] Words have wings, and cannot be recalled

56] The tongue breaks bone, and herself has none

57] A single filament of silk does not make a thread; a single tree does not make a forest

58] Of one ill come many

59] Exchange is no robbery

60] Waste not, want not

61] Opportunity makes the thief

62] The crow laughs at the pig for being black

63] As soon as man is born, he begins to die

64] One of these days is none of these days

65] He who seizes the right moment is the right man

66] The best things are hard to come by.

67] Tender-handed stroke a nettle, and it stings you for your pain: grasp it like a man of mettle, and it soft as silk remains

68] If he ball does not stick to the wall, it will at least leave a mark

69] He that has no shame has no conscience

70] A fool and his money are soon parted

71] One man’s loss is another’s gain

72] Valour would fight, but discretion would run away

73] Talk of an angel and you’ll hear the fluttering of his wings

74] Never do things by halves

75] Love will find a way

76] New things are fair

77] He that comes first to the hill, may sit where he will.

78] Don’t cry stinking fish

79] Keep some till further more come

80] Dress up a stick and it does not appear to be a stick

81] A great city, a great solitude

82] Big words seldom go with good deeds

83] Where there is no might, right loses itself

84] An obedient wife commands her husband

85] Never tell your enemy that your foot aches

86] A good example is the best sermon

87] Don’t empty (or throw) the baby out with the bath water

88] Every groom is a king at home

89] There’s always room at the top

90] One sheep follows another

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

92] Soft fire makes sweet malt

93] Death devours lambs as well as sheep

94] When the word is out it belongs to another

95] He that mischief hatches mischief catches.

96] Youth and age will never agree

97] Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

98] He who touches pitch will be defiled

99] Plain dealing is best. Plain dealing is a jewel

100] Abundance, like want, ruins many