Famous Proverbs

1] It is not the burden but the overburden that kills the beast

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

3] He who teaches learns

4] He that will steal a pin will steal a better thing

5] First things first

6] Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

7] When you do not know what to do – wait.

8] Diligence is the mother of good luck

9] Spend and be free, but make no waste

10] Small is the seed of every greatness

11] What is word but wind?

12] Fingers were made before forks

13] Mercy to the criminal may be cruelty to the people

14] Extremes are dangerous

15] Be not too bold with your biggers or betters

16] Quickly come, quickly go

17] Know when to spend and when to spare, and you need not be busy, you’ll never be bare

18] The cobbler should stick to his last

19] It is a hard-fought field where no man escapes unkilled

20] Mettle is dangerous in a blind horse

21] Many words, many buffets

22] Men are not to be measured in inches

23] A little too late, is much too late

24] A word is enough to the wise

25] A merry companion is a wagon on the way

26] An ass must be tied where the master will have him

27] Years know more than books

28] Learning makes a good man better and an ill man worse

29] There is a great difference between words and deeds

30] What is worth doing is worth doing well

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

32] Too long burden makes weary bones

33] The first time, a novice the second time, an adept

34] Hope is grief’s best music

35] There is nothing like being on the safe side

36] There is no fool like an old fool

37] When meat is in anger is out

38] A rolling stone gathers no moss

39] Law cannot persuade where it cannot punish

40] From a foolish judge, a quick sentence

41] Harsh words cut wounds that fester like cankerous sores

42] He that obey cannot command

43] Mustard is a good sauce, but mirth is better

44] Plain dealing is best

45] Hypocrisy is a homage that vice pay to virtue

46] Custom takes the taste from the most savoury dishes

47] Adversity comes with instruction in its hand

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

49] You must lose a fly to catch a trout

50] Long tarrying takes all the thanks away

51] Confess and be hanged

52] Charity excuseth not cheating.

53] One can’t help many, but many can help one

54] He that has a good memory, gives few alms

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

56] Intimacy lessens fame

57] One must howl with the wolves

58] Silence is a woman’s best garment

59] The devil sometimes speaks the truth

60] With patience and time, the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown

61] If you have known one, you have known them all

62] It is good fishing in troubled waters

63] The best fish swim near the bottom

64] Steer not after every mariner’s direction

65] Rust wastes more than use

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

67] It is the unexpected that always happens

68] Liars should have good memories

69] New meat begets a new appetite

70] Praise makes good men better and bad men worse

71] He is a fool who makes his physician his heir

72] He that follows Nature , is never out of his way

73] Men are blind in their own cause

74] A scalded cat fears hot water.

75] The remedy for injuries is not to remember them

76] The voice is the best music

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

78] Dreams are lies

79] Plain dealing is a jewel, but they that use it die beggars

80] It is too late to look up after you have collided

81] Coming events cast their shadows before

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

83] Fools grow without watering.

84] Virtue is a jewel of great price.

85] A tiger that roars is not a man-eater

86] He that hath a full purse never wanted (or lacked) a friend

87] Sadness and happiness succeed each other.

88] If the father is spotted, the son will be speckled

89] Custom reconciles us to everything

90] In your anxiety to avoid losing a drop, you spill the whole lot

91] A friend is easier lost than found

92] Poverty obstructs the road to virtue

93] Experience is not always the kindest of teachers, but it is surely the best

94] Pardon one offence and you encourage many

95] Work expands so as to fill the time available

96] God tempers that wind to the shorn lamb

97] Erring is not heating

98] What cannot gold do?

99] The Pen is mightier than the sword

100] Gold will not buy everything