Famous Proverbs

1] The child is father of the man

2] Good fame is better than a good face

3] It is a poor (or sad) heart that never rejoices

4] Hard cases make bad law

5] The fire which warms us a distance will burn us when near

6] Every why has a wherefore

7] Between two stools you fall to the ground

8] Love and business teach eloquence

9] If you put noting into your purse, you can take nothing out

10] Ill gotten, ill spent

11] If you gently touch a nettle, it’ll sting you for your pains; grasp it like a man of mettle, and it soft as silk remains.

12] The strong man and the waterfall channel their own path

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

14] Cheap is dear in the long run.

15] Misery acquaints men with strange bedfellows

16] Easter so longed for is gone in a day

17] The fire which warms us a distance will burn us when near

18] Desires are nourished by delays

19] Every man must carry his own cross

20] Don’t teach your grandmother how to suck eggs

21] If the doctor cures, the sun sees it; but if he kills, the earth hides it.

22] An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest

23] The cobbler should stick to his last

24] If one sheep leaps over the ditch (or dyke), all the rest will follow

25] It is no use crying over spilt milk

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

27] Hope springs eternal in the human heart

28] If it were not for hope, the heart would break

29] Better to wear out than rust out

30] Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.

31] True doctrines require no miracles

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

33] 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

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

35] Our worst misfortunes are those which never befall us

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

37] Law makers should not be law breakers

38] The darkest hour is that before the dawn

39] Neither praise nor dispraise thyself; thy actions serve the turn

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

41] More than enough is too much

42] The end makes all equal

43] Not even Hercules could contend against two

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

45] It is too late to husband when all is spent

46] He who peeps through a hole, may see what will vex him

47] Nothing seek, nothing find

48] Have patience with a friend rather than lost him forever.

49] The thread breaks where it is weakest

50] Better unborn than untaught

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

52] Do right and fear no man

53] He is a good friend that speaks well of us behind our backs

54] Many kiss the hand they wish to cut off

55] Love conquers all

56] Variety is charming

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

58] Variety takes away satiety

59] Do as say, not as I do

60] Never put off till tomorrow what may be done today

61] The remedy for injuries is not to remember them

62] Even the lion must defend itself against flies

63] A bow long bent at last waxes weak

64] Virtue is its own reward

65] You cannot put a quart into a pint pot

66] The longest journey starts with a single step

67] If you always say ‘No’, you’ll never get married

68] Good advice (or counsel) is beyond price

69] Who chatters to you, will chatter of you.

70] Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face

71] Fling dirt enough, and some will stick

72] A burthen of one’s own choice is not felt

73] The bait hides the hook

74] God is a sure paymaster

75] Covetousness breaks the sack

76] Kingdoms divided soon fall

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

78] Silence never makes mistakes

79] Patience surpasses learning

80] Lookers-on see most of the game

81] Quietness is a great treasure

82] Wisdom is better than strength

83] Don’t tell tales out of school

84] Be just before you are generous

85] Good is good but better carries it

86] From word to deed is a great space

87] The Friar Preached against stealing and had a goose in his sleeve

88] Almost’ never killed a fly.

89] Ill – gotten goods never prosper

90] He that has good money, gives few alms

91] Have but few friends, though many acquaintances

92] Spend and be free, but make no waste

93] The biter is sometimes bit

94] Boys will be boys

95] Blessings brighten as they take their flight

96] In peace, prepare for war

97] Conscience does make cowards of us all

98] Some are wise and some are otherwise

99] Every one thinks his own sack heaviest

100] Union (or Unity) is strength