Famous Proverbs

1] So many countries, so many customs

2] Because he would not eat it, the food got maggoty

3] Even a clever wife cannot prepare a meal when there is no food

4] Knowledge has bitter roots but sweet fruits

5] All is vanity.

6] With seven nurses, the child loses its eye

7] All our pomp the earth covers

8] It is easy to find a stick to beat a dog

9] Among the blind, the one-eyed man is king

10] It signifies nothing to play well if you lose.

11] Borrowed garments never fit well

12] Idleness (or An idle brain) is the devil’s workshop

13] When the melon is ripe, it will drop by itself

14] God’ s mill grids slow but sure

15] He is lifeless that is faultless

16] Health is great riches

17] Many words, many buffets

18] What costs little is little esteemed

19] None so deaf as those that will not hear

20] All meat pleases not all mouths

21] Cast not the first stone.

22] Second thoughts are best

23] What’s the good of thatching someone else’s roof?

24] No matter how much perfume you put on an onion, it will still emit a bad smell.

25] The deed comes back upon the doer.

26] The bait hides the hook

27] All cats are grey in the dark

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

29] It is more blessed to give than to receive

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

31] A good anvil does not fear the hammer

32] Youth will have its course.

33] Time flees without a delay

34] One fool praises another

35] Misfortune tells us what fortune is

36] He that keeps not crust not crumb, shall ever want some

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

38] Everybody’s business is nobody’s business

39] Death is the grand leveler

40] Nature is the true law

41] In haste is error

42] Patience is a virtue

43] Slander leaves a sc ore behind it

44] There is truth in wine

45] Home is home though it be never so homely

46] One of these days is none of these days

47] He who cannot bear misfortune is truly unfortunate.

48] When the boat reaches the middle of the river, it is too late to repair the leak

49] Enough is as good as a feast

50] Nothing is so popular as kindness.

51] A good marksman may miss

52] A hedge between keeps friendship green

53] A good tongue is a good weapon

54] One is what one eats

55] Of a new prince, new bondage

56] The great would have none great, and the little all little

57] He that will not go over the stile, must be thrust through the gate

58] Where there is no might, right loses itself

59] For a web begun, God sends the thread

60] We are all Adam’s children

61] He is a gentleman that has gentle conditions

62] There are more ways to kill a dog than hanging it.

63] An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth

64] Don’t wear out (or outstay) your welcome

65] It is no use crying over spilt milk

66] Better be a fool than a knave

67] It is the unexpected that always happens

68] Virtue is the only true nobility

69] A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword

70] The dog that fetches, will carry.

71] Nothing is certain but the unforeseen

72] Everything comes to him who waits

73] The gods send nuts to those who have no teeth

74] Covetousness breaks the sack

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

76] If you have bread, don’t look for cake

77] He who hesitates is lost

78] Let like mate with like

79] Industry is fortune’s right hand, and frugality her left

80] Wise men learn by other men’s harms (or mistakes), fools, by their own

81] Too long burden makes weary bones

82] An obedient wife commands her husband

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

84] Never grieve for what you cannot help

85] One reason is as good as fifty

86] Every man praises his own wares

87] Why play the harp to a buffalo?

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

89] Exceptional bravery is often hidden under a cloak of timidity

90] Where there is a question, there must be an answer

91] Good luck beats early rising

92] A mouse may help a lion

93] Well begun is half done.

94] When good cheer is lacking, our friends will be packing

95] Of the ten fingers, some are long and some are short.

96] Lightning never strikes twice in the same place

97] Everything is good in its season

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

99] Solitude is the best nurse of wisdom

100] Three helping one another, bear the burthen of six.