Famous Proverbs

1] He laughs ill that laughs himself to death

2] It needs more skill than I can tell to play the second fiddle well

3] One sword keeps another in the sheath

4] Without luck, it is better not to be born

5] He that may not do as he would, must do as he may

6] A swine over-fat, is the cause of his own bane

7] One father is more than a hundred school masters

8] Birds of a feather flock together

9] They brag most who can do least

10] Fortune favours those who use their judgement

11] Have but few friends, though many acquaintances

12] When in doubt, do nothing

13] Don’t go near the water until you learn how to swim

14] Curiosity killed the cat.

15] Idleness is the root of all evil

16] Burn not your house to rid it of the mouse.

17] It is easier to capture a tiger in the hills than to ask for favours from a man

18] A fool is ever dancing on the tip of his tongue

19] Nothing stake, nothing draw.

20] Would you know what money is, got borrow some

21] A new broom sweeps clean, but the old brush knows all the corners

22] Live and let live

23] Cowardice is afraid to be known or seen

24] Rome was not built in a day

25] We should publish our joys and conceal our griefs

26] The good intention excuses the bad action

27] He who cannot put up with extreme hardship cannot be the best among men

28] Marriage halves our griefs, doubles our joys and quadruples our expenses

29] Either mend or end

30] The rotten apple injures its neighbours.

31] Gossiping and lying go together

32] Poverty parts friendship

33] Love is sweet torment

34] Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, and half shut afterwards

35] Where there is no might, right loses itself

36] Before you marry, be sure of a house wherein to tarry

37] The peony, though large, is useless; the date blossom, though small, yields fruit

38] Catch not at the shadow and lose the substance

39] If you don’t have good weapons, it is better for you to submit

40] Idle folks have the least leisure

41] Good riding at two anchors, men have told, for if one breaks the other may hold

42] Cheats never prosper

43] He who owes is in all the wrong

44] Though a man lives for less than a hundred years, he burdens himself with the anxieties of a thousand years

45] Far from eye, far from heart

46] The best things come in small packages

47] In the end, things will mend

48] Of thy sorrow be not too sad, of thy joy be not too glad

49] Long looked for, comes at last

50] Give him (or knaves) an inch and he (they) will take a yard (or mile)

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

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

53] Gold goes in at any gate except heaven’s

54] Some people will never learn anything because they understand everything too soon.

55] No tie can oblige the perfidious

56] To know the husband, observe the face of the wife

57] It takes all sorts to make a world

58] Make yourself all honey and the flies will devour you

59] Kind hearts are soonest wronged

60] Good merchandise finds a ready buyer

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

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

63] No man is infallible

64] God never sends mouths but he sent meat

65] It chances in an hour, that appears not in seven years

66] Even the compelling beauty of the Diamond Mountain cannot be appreciated when the stomach is empty

67] He who does not rise with the sun does not enjoy the day

68] To study a great deal is to acquire a priceless treasure

69] The fine pullet shows its excellence from the egg.

70] No good building without a good foundation.

71] It is the unexpected that always happens

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

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

74] If God does not give us what we want, He gives us what we need

75] It is equally an error to trust all men or no man

76] We don’t get something for nothing

77] He has to do what is foul, never comes away clean

78] Keep your eyes open: a sale is a sale

79] What we have seen with out own eyes is very much but what we have not seen is infinite.

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

81] Noting is impossible to a willing heart

82] Many words, many buffets

83] All work and no play makes jack a dull boy

84] He that hopes not for good, fears not evil.

85] A good beginning is half the battle.

86] Love is lawless.

87] Practice makes perfect

88] In fair weather prepare for foul

89] Habits are at first cobwebs, at last cables.

90] If the father is spotted, the son will be speckled

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

92] None so busy as those who do nothing.

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

94] Every Jack must have his Jill

95] Nothing is easy to the unwilling

96] A good Conscience is the best divinity

97] He freezes who does not burn

98] An oak is not felled at one stroke

99] Old cattle breed not

100] What you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts