Famous Proverbs

1] There is none misfortune cannot reach

2] In a church, in an inn, and in a coffin, all men are equal

3] All covet all lose.

4] Half a word is enough for a wise man

5] A fault confessed is half redressed

6] Does sound come from an unstruck drum?

7] Valour delights in the test

8] Poverty is no disgrace but it is a great inconvenience

9] Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

10] Marriage is a lottery

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

12] He who peeps through a hole, may see what will vex him

13] There is many a true word spoken in jest

14] Let sleeping dogs lie

15] It is too late to husband when all is spent

16] A fault once denied is twice committed

17] Where god will help, nothing does harm

18] Variety is the spice of life

19] Tender-handed stroke a nettle, and it stings you for your pain: grasp it like a man of mettle, and it soft as silk remains

20] Asking costs little

21] Great hopes make great men

22] A gift in hand is better than two promises.

23] Homer sometimes nods

24] When the horse has reached the brink of the precipice, it is too late to pull the reins.

25] It is better (or more blessed) to give than to take

26] Every cock crows on his own dunghill

27] Forgive and forget

28] Forbidden fruit is sweetest

29] Where there are reeds, there is water

30] It’s a long lane that has no turning

31] The wisest of the wise may err.

32] When we sing, everybody hears us; when sigh, nobody hears us

33] You cannot sell the cow and sup (or drink) the milk

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

35] If cattle are scattered, the tiger seizes them.

36] Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof

37] After a dream of a wedding, comes a corpse

38] Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

39] Win a good reputation, and sleep at your ease

40] Law cannot persuade where it cannot punish

41] He that promises too much means nothing

42] Dogs bark as they are bred.

43] Better bend than break

44] Patience is a virtue

45] Life is short and time is swift

46] A friend is easier lost than found

47] Have two strings to your bow

48] The eye that sees all things else sees not itself

49] Debt is an evil conscience

50] Plain dealing is a jewel

51] It is not every question that deserves an answer

52] We live by laws, not by examples

53] Arms bend inwards – not outwards.

54] Manners make the man

55] A healthy man is a successful man

56] Hope is but the dream of those that wake

57] He that eats well should do his duty well

58] Just give me one end of the line and I’ll get to the other

59] An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest

60] Beauty is eloquent even when silent

61] Pouring oil on the fire is not the way to quench it

62] An old dog barks not in vain

63] No sweet without sweat

64] All glory comes from daring to begin

65] Love can find a way

66] Better to have one eye than be blind altogether

67] If things were to be done twice, all would be wise.

68] Medical plants from one’s own back-yard are no valued.

69] T’ is safest making peace with sword in hand

70] Of evil manners, spring good laws

71] Judge not of men and things at first sight

72] Forgiveness is perfect when the sin is not remembered

73] What is told in the ear of a man is often heard a hundred miles away

74] The disinterested observer may perceive what is missed by those who are directly involved

75] Every medal has two sides

76] A little too late, is much too late

77] An old ox makes a straight furrow

78] Give a servant a rod, and he’ll beat his master

79] An ill marriage is a spring of ill fortune

80] New things are fair

81] Praise no man till he is dead.

82] Speech is silver, silence is golden

83] Even the lion must defend itself against flies

84] They that value not praise, will never do anything worthy of praise

85] When the word is out it belongs to another

86] Two wrongs do not make a right

87] A sluggard takes a hundred steps because he would not take one in due time.

88] Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

89] If fortune turns against you, even jelly breaks your tooth

90] Joy and sorrow are next door neighbours.

91] Never spur a willing horse

92] When a man is happy, he does not hear the clock strike

93] It is never too late to mend

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

95] There is death in the pot.

96] Where there is peace, there is blessing

97] No like is the same.

98] Work won’t kill but worry will.

99] Don’t play with fire

100] His bark is worse than his bite