Famous Proverbs

1] His bark is worse than his bite

2] Honey catches more files than vinegar.

3] Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know the man

4] To speak as the common people, to think as the wise

5] Poison is poison though it comes in a golden cup.

6] An ape’s an ape, a varlet’s a varlet, though they be clad in silk or scarlet

7] All good things must come to an end

8] God (or Providence) is always on the side of big battalions

9] He who has seen little marvels much

10] Wine does not intoxicate men; men intoxicate themselves

11] Light grows the burden which is well borne

12] If one sheep leaps o’er the dyke, all the rest will follow

13] Many a true word is spoken in jest

14] Better beg than steal.

15] No one is satisfied with his fortune, nor dissatisfied with his intellect

16] Our own opinion is never wrong

17] Fear of death is worse than death itself

18] All cats are grey in the dark

19] Spread the table, and contention will cease

20] Comfort is not known if poverty does not come before it

21] Plain dealing is a jewel

22] The first blow is half the battle

23] Forgiveness is perfect when the sin is not remembered

24] Every man to his trade.

25] Never catch a falling knife or a falling friend

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

27] Better a lean peace than a fat victory

28] Honesty is ill to thrive by

29] Opportunity makes the thief

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

31] What will not money do?

32] Rule youth well and age will rule itself

33] A good paymaster needs no surety

34] A man may bear till his back breaks

35] What’s done is done

36] In the end, things will mend

37] Truthfulness becomes the gentleman

38] The pitcher goes often to the well that it is broken at last

39] A burdened conscience will never need a hangman

40] As well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamp

41] New lords, new laws

42] Example, is better than precept

43] If the wise erred not, it would go hard with fools.

44] Nothing is more contagious than a bad example

45] Do unto others as you would they should do unto you.

46] Whatever is made by the hand of man, by the hand of man by overturned

47] Deeds are fruits; words are but leaves

48] Whether the pitcher strikes the stone, or the stone the pitcher, it is bad for the pitcher

49] A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice

50] A man’s in his own mouth stinks

51] A man may lose more in an hour than he can get in seven

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

53] Shrimps get broken backs when whales fight

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

55] If you agree to carry the calf, they’ll make you carry the cow.

56] Nature does nothing in vain

57] Call a spade a spade

58] Home is where the heart is

59] A beggar pays a benefit with a louse

60] Death is the grand leveler

61] Discontent is the first step in progress

62] Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise

63] Money talks

64] The great fish eat up the small

65] What the fool does in the end, the wise man does at the beginning

66] When it rains porridge, the beggar has no spoon.

67] Six feet of earth make all men equal

68] However much the arm may swing out, the armpit is where it sticks

69] Hope often deludes the foolish man

70] Coming events cast their shadows before

71] A successful man is seldom at ease; a life of ease does not breed success

72] No man so good but another may be as good as he

73] Lavishness is not generosity

74] Health and money go far

75] Envy is the sorrow of fools.

76] A little learning is dangerous thing

77] Every dog is a lion at home

78] A good friend is my nearest relation

79] The more you have the more you want

80] Our worst misfortunes are those which never befall us

81] Exchange is no robbery

82] Time and tide wait for no man

83] You may have too much of a good thing

84] Love sees no fault

85] Love delights in praise

86] Names are debts

87] Haste makes waste

88] Every man has his faults

89] He that brings good news, knocks hard

90] Seeing is believing

91] Avoid a questioner, for he is also a tattler

92] Let us do evil that good may come

93] Never grieve for what you cannot help

94] Beauty is but skin-deep

95] He should have a long spoon who sups with the devil.

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

97] A bad padlock invites a picklock

98] The blind man is not afraid of ghosts

99] No, thank you’ has lost you many a good butter-cake

100] All things are difficult before they are easy