Famous Proverbs

1] You cannot make a crab walk straight

2] Honest men marry soon, wise men not at all

3] Venture a small fish to catch a big one

4] The grapes are sour’, as the fox said when he could not reach them

5] He that brings good news, knocks hard

6] A soft answer turns away wrath

7] First thrive then wive

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

9] It is better to conceal one’s knowledge than to reveal one’s ignorance

10] No man is born wise or learned

11] If the lad goes to the well against his will, either the can will break or the water will spill

12] A old poacher makes the best gamekeeper

13] Extremity of right is wrong

14] A jug that has been mended lasts two hundred years

15] If you can’t bite, never show your teeth.

16] Jam tomorrow and jam yesterday – but never jam today

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

18] Man punishes the action but God the intention

19] Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you

20] The dancing girl who could not dance, said that the hall was not big enough.

21] Jack is as good as his master

22] He that is born a fool is never cured

23] We live by laws, not by examples

24] God helps those who help themselves

25] Work expands so as to fill the time available

26] A fool may give a wise man counsel

27] He is not laughed at the laughs at himself first

28] The greatest step is that out of doors

29] Sweet are the uses of adversity

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

31] Blessings brighten as they take their flight

32] One sheep follows another

33] One today is worth two tomorrows

34] The mob tramples on the coward

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

36] Blue are the far away hills

37] What may be done at any time is done at no time

38] Better sit still than rise and fall

39] Every beggar is descended from some king, and every king is descended from some beggar.

40] To know the husband, observe the face of the wife

41] Envy never enriched any man.

42] Many words, many buffets

43] Be not too bold with your biggers or betters

44] Virtue is the only true nobility

45] Every deed is to be judges by the doer’s intention.

46] It takes two to make a quarrel

47] It foolish sheep that makes the wolf his confessor

48] All’s grist that comes to the mill.

49] He who has seen little marvels much

50] It is not gay coat that makes the gentleman

51] Pride dines on vanity, sups on contempt

52] Friends are thieves of time

53] While there is life, there is hope

54] Strings high stretched either soon crack or quickly grow out of tune.

55] Common fame is a liar

56] Time flies

57] The Friar Preached against stealing and had a goose in his sleeve

58] At the game’s end we shall see who gains

59] True doctrines require no miracles

60] Plain dealing is best. Plain dealing is a jewel

61] Muck and money go together

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

63] He that eats least eats most

64] A blind man who sees is better than a seeing man who is blind

65] God gave us the seed of every plant, but we must sow it.

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

67] The road to hell is paved with good action

68] One swallow does not make a summer

69] Bad luck often brings good luck

70] When we have gold, we are in fear; when we have none we are in danger

71] Take things as they come

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

73] Many drops make a shower

74] The good is often the enemy of the best

75] Welcome is the best dish in the kitchen

76] Like mother, like daughter

77] Zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse

78] Quickly come, quickly go

79] Poverty is not a shame, but the being ashamed of it is

80] Love knows no limit

81] Every man for himself, and God for us all.

82] Keep your eyes open: a sale is a sale

83] Penny wise, pound foolish

84] Make haste slowly

85] He who teaches learns

86] No feast lasts forever.

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

88] He that sows virtue reaps fame

89] Beauty is in the face; grace is all over.

90] What’s learnt in the cradle lasts till the tomb

91] In my own house, I am king

92] One must howl with the wolves

93] Though the fox runs, the chicken has wings

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

95] A thief passes for a gentle man when stealing has made him rich

96] Even dust, when piled up, may form a hill

97] No naked man is sought after to be rifled

98] It is a poor kin that has neither whore nor thief in it

99] He who handles a nettle tenderly is soonest stung

100] Anger restrained is wisdom gained