Famous Proverbs

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

2] No land without stones, or meat without bones

3] After a storm comes a calm

4] Dumb dogs are dangerous

5] Evil to him who evil thinks.

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

7] It is the lot of a king to do well but to be ill-spoken of

8] Those who live near water know the nature of fish; those who live near hills know the calls of birds

9] Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs.

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

11] If the thorn falls, the leaf is pierced; if the leaf falls the leaf is pierced

12] If the cap fits, wear it

13] There are more men threatened than stricken

14] Who greases his way travels easily

15] It is easier to pull down than to build

16] Bind the sack before it be full

17] Change brings life

18] Set a wolf to keep the sheep

19] Wine is one thing; drunkenness another

20] A good name is better than riches

21] What is the good of a sundial in the shade?

22] Old habits die hard

23] Anything will fit a naked man.

24] Where there is no might, right loses itself

25] Spend and be free, but make no waste

26] It is the unexpected that always happens

27] A creaking gate (or door) hangs long

28] What costs little is little esteemed

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

30] Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion

31] Learn weeping and you shall gain laughing

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

33] If you pay not a servant his wages, he will pay himself

34] You cannot get blood (or water) out of a stone

35] As you plant wild grass, you won’t get a crop of rice.

36] The greatest talkers are the least doers

37] Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know

38] The best of friends must part

39] Promises are like pie-crust, made to be broken

40] The tide never goes out so far but it always comes in again

41] Those who sell dog-meat often display a lamb’s head

42] Fools live poor to die rich

43] Don’t tell tales out of school

44] The envious man shall never want woe

45] Even fools sometimes speak to the purpose

46] Many kiss the hand they wish to cut off

47] Facts are more eloquent than oratory

48] Fair without, false within

49] Put out your tubs when it is raining

50] A thing you don’t want is dear at any price.

51] He knows which side his bread is buttered

52] An open door may tempt a saint

53] Dreams go by contraries

54] Travel with open eyes and you will become a scholar

55] Judge not of men and things at first sight

56] Fortune knocks once at every man’s door

57] Every lot is to be overcome by endurance

58] It is easier to pour away water than to gather it.

59] Time has wings

60] If one will not, another will

61] All must be as God will

62] One pair of heels is often worth two pairs of hands

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

64] Lucky men need no counsel

65] Hear twice before you speak once

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

67] None can guess the jewel by the casket

68] One man’s loss is another’s gain

69] Opportunity makes the thief

70] He knows the water best who has waded through it

71] An old horse knows the route

72] Brave actions never want a trumpet.

73] An old man is a bed full of bones

74] A jack of all traders is master of none

75] Give a clown your finger, and he will take your hand

76] He who last, laughs longest.

77] A horse that will not carry a saddle must have no oats.

78] Bad excuses are worse than none.

79] It is the bridle and spur that makes a good horse

80] As soon as man is born, he begins to die

81] Nothing is as good as it seems before hand

82] Few words are best

83] First things first

84] Six feet of earth make all men equal

85] Great fortune brings with it great misfortune

86] Words and feathers the wind carries away

87] Deeds are fruits; words are but leaves

88] There are more ways of killing a cat than choking it with cream.

89] He who demands does not command

90] Light grows the burden which is well borne

91] The cat shuts its eyes while it steals cream

92] He that will thrive, must rise at five; he that has thriven, may lie till seven; but he that will never thrive may lie till eleven

93] A nod is as good as wink to a blind horse

94] Nothing is impossible to a willing heart

95] Courtesy is the inseparable companion of virtue

96] The orange that is too hard squeezed yields a bitter juice

97] Never too late to late to repent

98] Years know more than books

99] Better to be safe than sorry.

100] Haste trips up (or over) its own heels