Famous Proverbs

1] To fright a bird is not the way to catch her

2] The time to come is no more ours than the time past

3] Open confession is good for the soul

4] Busiest men find the most time

5] Every dog has his day

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

7] Past cure, past care

8] Slander leaves a sc ore behind it

9] Shame arises more from fear of men than of God

10] The axe falls on a straight tree first

11] Scatter with one hand, gather with two

12] No answer is also an answer

13] You win some, you lose some

14] It is as well to know which way the wind blows

15] Who errs and mends, to god himself commends

16] Vice is often clothed in virtue’s habit

17] Hope often deludes the foolish man

18] The race is got by running

19] Cleanliness is next to godliness

20] Patience is a plaster for all sores

21] A wounded reputation is seldom cured

22] Tie a chicken with an elephant rope, and it will slip off; tie an elephant with a chicken-tether, and it will break away.

23] Many doctors, death accomplished

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

25] Beware of him who makes thee presents

26] Dog does not eat dog

27] Better a louse in the pot than no flesh at all

28] Finger were made before forks, and hands before knives

29] Even Homer sometimes nods

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

31] Hope deferred makes the heart sick

32] Time flies

33] Do not kick against the pricks

34] Better a louse in the pot than no flesh at all

35] When it pleases not God, the saint can do little

36] Extreme justice is extreme injustice.

37] Despair gives courage to a coward

38] Make haste slowly

39] Punctuality is the politeness of kings.

40] Every light has its shadow

41] Never too late to repent

42] There is plenty of sound in an empty barrel

43] Patch by patch is good housewifery, but patch upon patch is plain beggary

44] The tongue is not steel, yet it cuts

45] Variety is the spice of life

46] Things past cannot be recalled

47] Every advantage has its disadvantage

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

49] 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

50] Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth

51] Misfortune tells us what fortune is

52] After dinner sit a while, after supper walk a mile.

53] Poor men seek meat for their stomach; rich men stomach for their meat.

54] Learn not and know not

55] Men leap over where the hedge is lowest

56] Water is the king of food

57] What has been, may be

58] Sooner will men hold fore in the mouth than keep a secret

59] Don’t change horses in mid-stream

60] The greatest step is that out of doors

61] He who says what he likes shall hear what he does not like

62] Beauty opens locked doors

63] A joke never gains over an enemy, but often loses a friend

64] Be still and have thy will

65] He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut

66] A good paymaster needs no surety

67] Be careful to whom you give

68] Sparrows who emulate peacocks are likely to break a thigh

69] Who chatters to you, will chatter of you.

70] Better belly burst than good meat lost

71] When the cat is away, the mice will play

72] He that would catch fish must venture his bait

73] Take time by the forelock

74] Small gifts make friends, great ones make enemies

75] The child says nothing but what it hears by the fire

76] If you gently touch a nettle, it’ll sting you for your pains; grasp it like a man of mettle, and it soft as silk remains.

77] Put out your tubs when it is raining

78] It is the unexpected that always happens

79] If you walk in the sun, you will know the blessedness of being in the shade

80] Better a bare foot than none

81] Thieves and rogues have the best luck, if they do but escape hanging

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

83] God gives us the milk, but not the pail

84] A fool and his money are soon parted

85] Care brings grey hair.

86] Let every pedlar carry his own burden

87] Keep conscience clear, then never fear

88] Money breeds (or makes, or begets) money

89] The pot calls the kettle black

90] The blind man is not afraid of ghosts

91] God’s lambs will play.

92] Think on the end before you begin

93] The bait hides the hook

94] Manners make the man

95] Don’t make yourself a mouse, or the cat will eat you

96] Weak things united become strong

97] It’s hard to get one’s own sword back when it’s in someone else’s scabbard

98] Pinch the right thigh and the left will feel the pain too.

99] Old foxes want no tutors

100] He loses his thanks who promises and delays