Famous Proverbs

1] He that talks much, errs much

2] Live not to eat, but eat to live

3] It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest

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

5] He knows which side his bread is buttered

6] Calamity is man’s true touchstone

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

8] The greatest talkers are the least doers

9] Not even Hercules could contend against two

10] Gold brings gold; lack of gold, a headache

11] God’s help is better than the early rising

12] If your can’t help friend with money, help him at least with a sigh

13] No hair so small but has his shadow

14] All meat pleases not all mouths

15] Though the fox runs, the chicken has wings

16] Submitting to one wrong brings on another.

17] He who begins many things, finishes but few

18] There’s small choice in rotten apples.

19] Never try to prove what nobody doubts

20] A piece of churchyard fits every body

21] Eggs and oaths are easily broken

22] Long absent, soon forgotten

23] Fling dirt enough, and some will stick

24] If you deal with a fox, think of his tricks

25] Counsel must be followed, not praised.

26] One volunteer is worth two pressed men

27] In a clam sea, every man is a pilot

28] Where there is no trust there is no love

29] The cobbler should stick to his last

30] A word spoken is past recalling

31] Take not a musket to kill a butterfly

32] Everyone puts his fault on the times.

33] Much babbling is not without offence

34] He who hesitates is lost

35] Praises fill not the belly

36] Adversity makes strange bedfellows

37] He that commits a fault, thinks everyone speaks of it.

38] The great fish eat up the small

39] Love your friend with his fault

40] Friendship cannot stand always on one side

41] Confide in an aunt and the world will know

42] When it pleases not God, the saint can do little

43] Give a lie a twenty-four-hour start, and you can never overtake it.

44] Flesh is frail

45] You cannot know the wine by the barrel

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

47] All doors open to courtesy

48] He would command must serve

49] Whatever man has done, man can do

50] What may be done at any time is done at no time

51] Through indecision, opportunity is often lost.

52] If the lad goes to the well against his will, either the can will break or the water will spill

53] Green leaves enhance the charm of the peony flower

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

55] Not good is it to harp on the on the frayed string

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

57] Trust not the many-minded populace

58] Don’t pour out the dirty water before you have cleaned

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

60] First creep, then walk

61] The money you refuse will never do you good

62] He knows most who speaks least

63] Look after your money and don’t make your neighbour a thief

64] Exchange (or Fair exchange) is no robbery

65] Good broth may be made in an old pot

66] Virtue is its own reward

67] Absence diminished little passions and increases great ones

68] Have but few friends, though many acquaintances

69] Forbidden fruit is sweetest

70] Even the grubs in the rocks manage to survive

71] Divine grace was never slow

72] Nature will have her course

73] None are so fond of secrets as those who don’t mean to keep them

74] You eat, I dreams, the custard of the day

75] The bread never falls but on its buttered side

76] It is lawful to learn even from an enemy

77] A straight stick is crooked in water

78] When I lent, I was a friend; and when I asked, I was unkind

79] The balance distinguishes not between gold and lead

80] A secret fire is discovered by the smoke

81] A rolling stone gathers no moss

82] Easter so longed for is gone in a day

83] Laughter makes good blood

84] A good conscience is a constant feast

85] Learning is the eye of the mind

86] Let an ill man lie in the straw and he looks to be thy heir

87] A change is as good as rest

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

89] A man’s mother is his other God

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

91] No choice amongst stinking fish

92] Facts are more eloquent than oratory

93] The cobbler’s children are always the worst shod

94] Let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay.

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

96] It is easier to raise the devil than to lay him

97] Too much money makes one mad

98] A trouble shared is a trouble halved.

99] The dancing girl who could not dance, said that the hall was not big enough.

100] Do as the friar says, not as he does