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English speaking countries | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Folk Sayings or Proverbs on Virtue -- Faith, Hope, Love, Prudence, Fortitude, Justice and Temperance*
A
o Ability may get you to the top but it's character that will keep you there.
o Actions speak louder than words.
o Adversity is a gift.
o All experience is education for the soul.
o All of us, the great and the little have need of each other.
o All in good time.
o All the world is your country, to do good is your religion.
o All that glitters is not gold.
o All things are easy that are done willingly.
o All truth passes through three stages: first it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed and third it is accepted as being self-evident.
o All's well that ends well.
o Always be prepared.
o Always care about your flowers and your friends. Otherwise they'll fade, and soon your house will be empty.
o Always keep an open mind.
o An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
o Any port in a storm (Meaning: In times of need, kindness is especially sweet).
o As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
o As long as you live, keep learning how to live.
o As you make your bed, so must you lie in it.
o As you sow, so you shall reap.
B
o Beauty is only skin-deep.
o Be care what you wish for.
o Be ever so humble there's no place like home.
o Be ever vigilant but never suspicious.
o Be gracious in defeat.
o Be just before you are generous.
o Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy.
o Be it ever so humble there's no place like home.
o Be just before you are generous.
o Be neither intimate nor distant with the clergy.
o Be not overcome by evil but repay evil with good.
o Be slow in choosing a friend, slower still in changing.
o Be sure you are right, then go ahead.
o Be true to yourself.
o Bear and forbear.
o Beauty is only skin deep.
o Before criticizing a man, walk a mile in his shoes (Meaning: One should not criticize a person without understanding their situation.).
o Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
o Believe in yourself.
o Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see.
o The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.
o The best things in life are free.
o The best is yet to come.
o The best of friends must part.
o The best of friends need not speak face to face.
o The best things come in small packages.
o The best things in life are free.
o The best way to sole a problem is to attack its cause.
o Better be safe than sorry.
o Better late than never.
o Better die with honor than live with shame.
o Better good manners than good looks.
o Better one good thing that is than two good things that were.
o Better slip with foot than tongue.
o Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.
o Better to ask the way than go astray.
o Better to be a man of character than a man of means.
o Better to be alone than in bad company.
o Better to be safe than sorry.
o Better to give than to receive. [New Testament]
o Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
o Beware the fury of a patient man.
o Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.
o Bloom where you're planted.
o Brain is better than brawn. Or Brains are better than brawn.
o Brevity is the soul of wit (Meaning: Be concise, don't ramble.).
o Buyer beware.
C
o A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
o Character building begins in infancy and continues until death.
o Charity begins at home.
o Choose to be forgiven.
o Christmas comes but once a year.
o Civility costs nothing and buys everything.
o Cleanliness is next to godliness.
o Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.
o Confession is good for the soul.
o Crafty advice is often got from a fool.
o Crime does not pay.
o Count your blessings.
o Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the conquest of it.
o Courtesy costs nothing.
D
o Deeds are fruits; words are leaves.
o Destroy your enemy by making him your friend.
o Different strokes for different folks.
o Diligence is the mother of good fortune.
o Discretion is the better part of valor (Meaning: Avoiding danger or unpleasant situations is the right thing to do.).
o Do good to thy friend to keep him, to thy enemy to gain him.
o Do not wear out your welcome.
o Do your duty, come what may.
o Do unto others as you would have done to you. (New Testament)
o Do what comes natural.
o Do what is right, come what may.
o Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
o Don't burn your bridges behind you.
o Don't cross the bridge till you come to it.
o Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.
o Don't cry before you are hurt.
o Don't cry over spilled milk.
o Don't expect things to go right the fist time.
o Don't find fault, finda remedy.
o Don't give up the ship.
o Don't go barking up the wrong tree.
o Don't judge a book by its cover.
o Don't judge a man by the size of his hat, but by the angle of his tilt.
o Don't leave till tomorrow what can be finished today.
o Don't let anyone get your goat.
o Don't let the critics get you down.
o Don't look a gift horse in the mouth (Meaning: Don't criticize gifts).
o Don't go looking for trouble.
o Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
o Don't mend what ain't broken. Or If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
o Don't pretend to be something you aren't.
o Don't put the cart before the horse.
o Don't rest on your laurels (Meaning: Don't cease to make an effort just because you did well in the past).
o Don't talk unless you can improve the silence.
o Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
o Don't toot your own horn.
o Don't treat the symptom, instead find the cause.
o Don't wish your life away.
o The doors of wisdom are never shut.
o Doubt is the beginning, not the end of wisdom.
o Drive gently over the stones.
o A dull pencil is greater than the sharpest memory.
E
o Earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal.
o The early bird gets the worm (Meaning: God helps those who help themselves, or Initiative will be rewarded).
o Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
o The eyes are the windows of the soul.
o Enjoy what you don't know.
o Enough and no waste is as good as a feast.
o Every cloud has a silver lining (Meaning: Something good is bound to come out of some bad situation).
o Every man's mind is his kingdom.
o Everything comes to those who wait.
o Everything in moderation.
o Example is the best precept.
o Expect the worst, but hope for the best.
o Experience is the best teacher.
o Experience is the mother of wisdom.
o Experience teaches slowly and at the cost of mistakes.
o The eyes are the window of the soul.
F
o Failure teaches success.
o Faith will move mountains.
o A fault confessed is half redressed.
o The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
o First deserve, then desire.
o The first step is the hardest.
o First things first.
o First think, and then speak.
o A friend in need is a friend indeed (Meaning: It's when one is in need that one knows who are one's true friends.
o A friend is a gift you give yourself.
o A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
o Friends ae like fiddle strings, they must not be screwed too tight.
o Friends are God's way of taking care of us.
o Friendship increases by visiting friends but visiting seldom.
o Focus on what's right in your world instead of what's wrong.
o Follow your dreams.
G
o Genius is ninety percent perspiration and ten percent inspiration.
o Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
o Give assistance not advice in a crisis.
o Give and ye shall receive. (New Testament)
o Give credit where credit is due.
o God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. [Jewish proverb].
o God helps those who help themselves. Or, God helps them that help themselves.
o God prefers prayers to tears.
o God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
o Good counselors lack no clients.
o Good example is the best sermon.
o A good name is better than riches.
o Good things come in small packages.
o Good things come when you least expect them.
o Good to forgive, better to forgive.
o Good words are worth much and cost little.
o Good words break no bones.
o Goodness is better than beauty.
o Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
o Great ideas are the fuel of progress.
o Great minds think alike.
o Great oaks from little acorns grow.
o Grin and bear it.
H
o Happiness is a state of mind.
o Haste makes waste.
o Have the courage of your convictions.
o He is not wise that is not wise for himself.
o He is the best general who makes the fewest mistakes.
o He that cannot obey, cannot command.
o He that is master of himself, will soon be master of others.
o He that plants a tree plants for posterity.
o He that plants trees loves others besides himself.
o He that respects himself is safe from others.
o He who hesitates is lost.
o He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know.
o Help yourself and God will help you.
o Home is where the heart is.
o Honesty is the best policy.
o Honey catches more flies than vinegar.
o Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
o Hope is life.
o Hope springs eternal.
o However if it is said sarcastically, that it refers to those who will only be very friendly if they need something from you.).
I
o If a job is worth doing it is worth doing well.
o If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
o If God sends you down a stony path, may he give you strong shoes.
o If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
o If you don't want trouble, don't go looking for it.
o If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up.
o If you want something done, do it yourself.
o If you wish good advice, consult an old man.
o Ignorance of the law excuses no man.
o Ignorance is bliss.
o Ill weeds grow fast.
o Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
o It is best to be on the safe side.
o It's a blessing in disguise.
o It's better to be safe than sorry.
o It is better to be on your own than with people you don't like.
o It is better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
o It's better to begin in the evening than not at all.
o It's better to give than to receive.
o It is better to take many injuries than to give one.
o It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
o It is more difficult to maintain honor than to become prosperous.
o It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.
o It's never to late to mend.
o It is no use crying over split [spilled] milk.
o It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.
o It's not the end of the world.
o It's not what you say but the way you say it.
o It's O.K. to make a mistake, as long as you learn from it.
o It's the little things that count.
o It is wise not to seek a secret and honest not to reveal it.
o It pays to be nice.
o It pays to pay attention.
J
o Judge not, lest ye be judged. (New Testament)
o Just because everybody's doing something, doesn't mean it's right.
o Just go with it.
o Justice is truth in action.
K
o Keep a thing for seven years and you'll find a use for it.
o Keep an open mind.
o Keep your chin up.
o Keep your head about you.
o Keep your mouth shut and your ears open.
o Keep your nose to the grindstone.
o The key to all action lies in belief.
o Kill someone with kindness.
o Kindness is more persuasive than force.
o Know thyself.
o Know which side your bread is buttered on.
o Knowledge is more than equivalent to force.
o Knowledge is power.
L
o Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and you cry alone.
o Laughter is the best medicine.
o The laws of love are written in the heart of every human being by the hand of God.
o Learn from other peoples mistakes.
o Learn from your mistakes.
o Learning is best when put into practice.
o Learning is better than house and land.
o Leave no stone unturned.
o Lest said, soonest mended.
o Less is more.
o Let bygones be bygones.
o Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. (New Testament)
o Let the punishment fit the crime.
o Let sleeping dogs live.
o Let's get things straight.
o Liars often set their own traps.
o Life is what you make it.
o Like cures like (Meaning: A person can better help another if they have something in common.).
o Little strokes fell great oaks.
o Live and learn.
o Live and let live.
o A lock is better than suspicion.
o Look before you leap.
o Look on the bright side. Or, Look at the bright side.
o Look on the sunny side of life.
o Looks can be deceiving.
o Love conquers all.
o Love makes the world go round.
o Love will find a way.
o A loving heart is the truest wisdom.
M
o Make do with what you have.
o Make haste slowly.
o Make the best of a bad situation.
o Make the most of every situation.
o A moment's insight is sometimes worth a life's experience.
o Man cannot live by bread alone (Bible).
o A man does not have to attend church to be a Christian.
o A man is known by the company he keeps.
o A man is often a bad adviser to himself and a good adviser to another.
o A man may live after losing his life but not after losing his honor.
o Man wasn't born to suffer but to carry on.
o Many hands make light work.
o Many have quarreled about religion that never practiced it.
o May the wind be always at your back.
o Melodious is the closed mouth.
o Mind your P's and Q's (Mind your manners).
o Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.
o Monkey see, monkey do.
o Money cannot buy happiness.
o Most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.
o Most smiles are started by another smile.
o Music has charms to soothe a savage beast.
N
o Nature is the art of God.
o Necessity is a great teacher.
o Necessity is the mother of invention.
o Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
o Never apologize before you are accused.
o Never give advice unasked.
o Never judge a book by its cover.
o Never judge from appearances.
o Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
o Never say die (Meaning: Never give up).
o Never say never (Meaning: Never give up).
o Never speak ill of the dead.
o Never stop learning.
o Never take anything for granted.
o Never too late to do well.
o Never too late to learn.
o Never too late to repent.
o Never trouble trouble 'til trouble troubles you.
o No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted.
o No gains without pains.
o No legacy is as rich as honesty.
o No man can serve two masters (New Testament).
o No man is an island (Everyone needs others).
o No need to cry over spilled milk.
o No offense taken when none is meant.
o No one can make us feel inferior without our consent.
o No one is easy to live with all of the time.
o No one is good at everything but everyone is good at something.
o No one is hurt by doing the right thing.
o No one should be be judge in his own cause.
o No pain, no gain.
o No rest for the weary.
o No time like the present.
o Nobody's perfect.
o Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.
o Nothing goes on forever.
o Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
o Nothing is black and white.
o Nothing is impossible to the willing heart.
o Nothing remains constant except change itself.
o Nothing succeeds like success.
o Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
O
o Obedience comes before leadership.
o Of two evils one must choose the lesser.
o Often, less is more.
o Once bitten, twice shy.
o One day at a time.
o One can never know too much.
o One good turn deserves another.
o One man can make a difference.
o One should mind one's own business.
o The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
o Open confession is good for the soul.
o An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit (Meaning: It's wiser to keep your mouth shut than try to appear clever and get into trouble.)
o Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.
P
o Patience is a virtue.
o Patience is the companion of wisdom.
o Patience, time and money accommodate all things.
o People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
o A place for everything and everything in its place.
o Persevere no matter what.
o The person bringing good news knocks boldly on the door.
o Persuasion is better than force.
o Plan your life like you will live forever, and live your life like you will die the next day.
o Practice makes perfect.
o Practice what you preach.
o Prevention is better than cure.
o Procrastination is the thief of time.
o Promise is in honor's debt.
o Promises are made to be kept.
o A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience.
o A proverb is one's wit and all men's wisdom.
o Put on your thinking cap.
Q
o A quiet tongue shows a wise head.
o Questioning is the door of knowledge.
R
o Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man.
o A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
o A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
o A rule isn't unfair if it applies to everyone.
S
o Say it short.
o Say something nice, or say nothing at all.
o Seek and you shall find. (New Testament)
o Seeing is believing, but feeling is the God's own truth.
o Self-help is the best help.
o Seize the day.
o A silent mouth is sweet to hear.
o Silence is golden. Or, Talk is cheap, silence is golden.
o Silence is the hardest argument to refute.
o Sleep on it (Don't do anything rash or you might come to regret it.).
o Slow and steady wins the race.
o A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger [Old Testament].
o Something is better than nothing.
o Something worth doing is worth doing well.
o A small benefit obtained is better than a great one in expectation.
o Smiles open many doors.
o Some things are better left unsaid.
o Speak when you are spoken to.
o Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.
o The strong should help the weak so that the lives of both shall be made easier.
T
o Take life as it comes.
o Take no notice of the stupid things people say.
o Talk is cheap, silence is golden.
o The best mirror is an old friend.
o The teacher has not taught, until the student has learned.
o Temper justice with mercy.
o There are no endings, only new beginnings.
o There are none so blind they cannot see.
o There are none so distant that fate cannot bring together.
o There are so many things to say that are better left unsaid.
o There are two sides to every question.
o There is a time and place for everything.
o There is honor even among thieves.
o There is no god except God.
o There's no place like home.
o There is no point of knowledge or wisdom if not dotted.
o There is none so deaf as he who will not hear.
o There is safety in numbers.
o Things come to those who wait.
o Think before you speak.
o Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
o this above all, to thy own self be true.
o This, too, shall pass.
o Time and patience would bring a snail to America.
o Time cures all things.
o Time is a great healer.
o Tit for tat (Meaning: One good turn deserves another.).
o Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
o To err is human; to forgive, divine.
o To give and not expect return, that is what lies at the heart of love.
o To know how to suggest is the great art of teaching.
o To Thine own self be true.
o Tomorrow is another day.
o A tree falls the way it leans.
o Trouble shared is trouble halved.
o A true friend is the best possession.
o True love never grows old.
o Truth will out.
o Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.
o Try to strike a happy medium.
o Turn the other cheek (New Testament).
o Two in distress makes sorrow less.
o Two heads are better than one.
o Two wrongs don't make a right.
U
o United we stand, divided we fall.
V
o The value is determined by the agreement of two people.
o Variety is the spice of life.
o Virtue is its own reward.
W
o Waste not, want not.
o We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord.
o What I am afraid to hear I'd better say first myself.
o The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
o Where there is a will, there's a way.
o Where there is no trust, there's no love.
o Who keeps his tongue keeps his friends.
o The whole dignity of man lies in the power of thought.
o The whole is greater than its parts.
o A weed is a plant we've found no use for yet.
Y
o You are as nice as can "bee."
o You are responsible for you.
o You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
o You can judge a man by the company he keeps.
o You don't have to be different to be good. You have to be good to be different.
o You have to crawl before you can walk.
o You have to earn respect.
o You have to take the bitter with the sweet.
o You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.
o You must face the consequences of your actions.
o You must never confuse your feelings with your duties.
o You reap what you sow.
o Your times is the greatest gift you can give to someone.
W
o Walk the walk and talk the talk.
o Waste not, want not.
o When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
o We have nothing to fear but fear itself.
o We must take the bad with the good.
o A weed is no more than a flower in disguise.
o What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
o What you sow is what you reap.
o When in doubt, forbear.
o When one door closes, another door opens.
o When you're sad, learn something.
o Where there's a will there's a way.
o Without kindness there can be no true joy.
o Willful waste makes woeful want.
o A word to the wise may be sufficient.
o Would you persuade, speak of interest, not or reason.
*May include quotes from famous authors (e.g. Shakespeare)that have become part of the English language. | Contributed by: Image Courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #488046
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English speaking countries | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Folk Sayings, Famous Quotes or Proverbs on Vice -- Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy and Sloth
A
o Abundance of things engenders disdainfulness.
o Advice most needed is least heeded.
o All evils are equal when they are extreme.
o All frills and no knickers (Meaning: All style and no substance.)
o All hat and no cattle (Meaning: All style and no substance.)
o All sizzle and no steak (Meaning: All style and no substance).
o All that glisters is not gold (Meaning: Not everything is what it appears to be).
o Ambition is a good servant but a bad master.
o An hour may destroy what an age was building.
o An open foe may prove a curse but a pretended friend is worse.
o Anger and hate hinder good counsel.
o Anger is often more hurtful than the injury that caused it.
o Anger is short madness.
o Anyone who will gossip to you, will gossip about you.
o Appearances are deceptive. Or, Appearances can be deceptive.
o As sly as a fox.
o Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. Or, Ask no questions and hear no lies.
B
o The bad gardener quarrels with his rake.
o Bad news travels fast.
o A bad penny always turns up (Meaning: Your mistakes will come back to haunt you. Or, Bad people will always return).
o Barking dogs seldom bite.
o A bean in liberty is better than a comfit in prison.
o Behind every argument lies someone's ignorance.
o Better fifty enemies outside the house than one within.
o Better the devil you know (than the one you don't).
o Better the trouble that follows death than the trouble that follows shame.
o Between the devil and the deep blue sea (Meaning: Choosing the lesser of two evils makes for a difficult situation.).
o Beware of Greeks bearing fits.
o Beware of the Bear when he tucks in his shirt.
o Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, and inwardly are ravening wolves (New Testament).
o A big tree attracts the woodsman's ax.
o A blind man can see his mouth.
o Both your friend and your enemy think you will never die.
o A burnt child dreads fire (Meaning: A bad experience affects you for a lifetime.).
C
o Character is easier kept than recovered.
o A constant guest never welcomes.
o Corruption starts at the top.
o The covetous person is always in want.
o The criminal always returns to the scene of the crime.
o As cross as a bear with a sore head.
o Cunning men deal in generalizations.
o Curses like chickens, come home to roost.
D
o A dead man cannot make war.
o Devil quoting scripture.
o The devil dances in empty pockets.
o The devil finds work for idle hands.
o The devil looks after his own.
o The devil's boots don't creak.
o The devil is in the details.
o The devil owed a cake and paid a loaf.
o The devil takes the hindmost (Meaning The last one gets hurt.).
o The devil wipes his breech with poor folks' pride.
o A dimple in the chin; a devil within.
o Dirt settles to the bottom but trash floats.
o Do as I say, not as I do.
o Don't air your dirty laundry in public (Meaning: Don't let everyone know the bad things you did.).
o Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.
o Don't keep a dog and bark yourself.
o Don't rob Peter to pay Paul.
o Dressed up like a Baptist preacher.
E
o Empty vessels make the most sound. or An empty vessel makes the most noise (Meaning: Those who know little, talk the most).
o The end justifies the means.
o Evil be to he who evil thinks.
o An evil weed is soon grown.
o Even a dog can distinguish between being stumbled over and being kicked.
o Even a tin knocker will shine on a dirty door.
o Even the best laid plans go awry.
o Envy is based on an incomplete understanding of the other person's situation.
o Envy of others always shows.
o Every ass loves to her himself bray.
o Every dog is allowed one bite.
o Every family has a skeleton in the cupboard.
o Every garden may have some weeds. Or, Every garden has some weeds.
o Every man is his own worst enemy.
o Every man for himself.
o Every man has his price.
o Every man is the architect of his own fortune.
o Every one can find fault, few can do better.
o Everyone gets his comeuppance in the end.
o Everyone gets their just deserts. Or, Everyone gets his just deserts sooner or later.
o Everyone is ignorant only on different subjects.
o Evildoers always think the worse of others.
o An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.
F
o Falling is easier than rising.
o False friends leave you in times of trouble.
o Fame is a magnifying glass.
o Fear is stronger than love.
o Fine words butter no parsnips (Meaning: Actions speak louder than words).
o A fly may sting a horse and make him wince.
o A friend to all is a friend to none (Meaning: Friendship with all is impossible; disagreement and friction in relations are natural).
o Friends are like fiddle strings, they must not be screwed too tight.
o Folks like the truth that hits their neighbor.
o Forgetting a debt doesn't mean it's paid.
o Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
o A fox smells its own stink first (Meaning: One knows where one belongs and knows when one makes a mistake.)
G
o Give a thing and take a thing, to wear the devil's gold ring.
o Give a dog a bad name and hang him.
o Give him an inch and he'll take a yard.
o Give the devil his due.
o Good fences make good neighbors.
o A good servant makes a bad enemy.
o A good man in an evil society seems the greatest villain of all (Meaning: society is what makes good good and bad bad).
o A goose quill is more than dangerous than a lion's claw.
o A great talker is a great liar.
o Greed often overreaches itself.
o A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
o A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
o The guilty dog barks the loudest.
H
o A half truth is a whole lie. Or, Half the truth is often a whole lie.
o Hang a thief when he's young, and he'll no' steal when he's old.
o Hard words break no bones.
o Hard cases make bad law.
o "He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." [Oscar Wilde]
o He is not wise that is not wise for himself.
o He steals a goose, and gives the giblets in alms (from the Old Testament).
o He that first cries out "stop thief" is often he that has stolen the treasure.
o He that knows nothing, doubts nothing.
o He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. [Old Testament].
o He that plants thorns must never expect to gather roses.
o He that scatters thorns must not go barefoot.
o He that seeks trouble never misses.
o He that steals an egg will steal an ox.
o He that takes the devil into his boat must carry him over the sound.
o He that waits on fortune is never sure of a dinner.
o He who excuses himself accuses himself.
o He who fails to study the past is doomed to repeat it.
o He who hesitates is lost.
o He who is good at excuses is seldom good at anything else.
o He who knows does not speak. HE who speaks does not know.
o He who laughs last is the slowest to think.
o He who lives by the sword is shot by those who don't (A parody of the Biblical "He who lives by the sword dies by the sword").
o He who lives too fast, goes to his grave too soon.
o He who stands for nothing will fall for everything.
o He who says what he likes will hear what he does not like.
o He who stands for nothing will fall for everything.
o He who sups with the devil has need of a long spoon.
o He who will steal an egg will steal an ox.
o The higher the monkey climbs, the more he shows his tail.
o The honey is sweet but the bee has a sting.
o A house divided cannot stand.
I
o I wants, don't gets.
o An idle brain is the devil's workshop (Meaning: Those who don't have much to do, will do bad things.).
o Idle hands are the devil's playthings.
o If God lived on earth, people would break his windows. [Jewish proverb]
o If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
o If you can't be good, be careful.
o If you can't be good, be good at it (Often said in jest).
o If you can't beat them, join them.
o If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
o If you come up in this world be sure not to go down in the next.
o If you fake it, you can't make it.
o If you snooze you lose.
o If you talk too much you're likely to give yourself away.
o If you think the worst, you won't be far from wrong.
o If you were born to be shot, you'll never be hung.
o Ignorance is bliss.
o Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Or, Ignorance of the law excuses no man.
o I'll be there for you.
o I'll be there come hell or high water (Meaning: I'll be there for you.).
o I'll be there if the good Lord is willing and the creeks don't rise.
o Ill-gotten gains seldom prosper (Meaning: Goods badly acquired never profit.)
o Ill weeds grow fast.
o Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
o In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
o Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.
o It's a dirty bird that won't keep its own nest clean.
o It is an equal failing to trust everybody, and to trust nobody.
o It's an ill wind that blows no good. Or, It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
o It is easy to despise what you cannot get.
o It is easy to kick a person when he is down.
o It is foolish to try to imitate the skills of others.
o It's like talking to a brick wall.
o It's often a person's mouth broke their nose (Meaning: People talk themselves into trouble).
o It's no crime to steal from a thief.
o It's not a secret if it is known by three people.
o It's not what you say; it's how you say it.
o It's the empty can that makes the most noise.
o It's the same people under a different name.
o It takes one to know one.
o It takes two to lie -- one to lie and one to listen.
o It takes two to tango.
J
o Jealousy is a disease for the weak.
o Just because everybody's doing something, doesn't mean it's right.
o Justice is truth in action.
K
o Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
o A kingdom is lost for want of a shoe (or want of a nail).
o Kingdoms divided soon fall.
L
o Lack of resource has hanged many a person.
o Laziness is a heavy burden.
o Liars often set their own traps.
o Liars need good memories.
o Lend your money and lose your friend.
o Let bygones be begones (Equivalent: Forgive and forget).
o A lie can be halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on (Meaning: A great lie may be widely accepted before the truth comes to light).
o Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas.
o A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
o The leopard does not change his spots.
o Looks can be deceiving.
o Loose lips sink ships (Meaning: If you say too much or gossip, you might hurt the people you love.).
o The love of money is the root of all evil (Old Testament).
M
o A man who desires revenge should dig two graves.
o Meaner than a junk-yard dog.
o Mischief comes by the pound and goes away by the ounce.
o Misery loves company.
o Monkey see, monkey do.
o The more you get, the more you want.
o Murder will out.
N
o Neglect kills injuries, revenge increases them.
o Never apologize before you are accused.
o No one will notice (in the dark).
o No two people ever lit a fire without disagreeing.
O
o Old Satan couldn't get along without plenty of help.
o Once a thief, always a thief.
o One scabbed sheep mars the whole flock.
o One man's meat is another man's poison.
o Only a fool burns his coal without warming himself.
o Opinions are like assholes: everyone has them and they usually stink.
o Opportunity makes the thief.
P
o People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
o Plenty breed pride.
o Pity him who makes an opinion a certainty.
o Poverty waits at the gates of idleness.
o Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.
o Pride comes before a fall.
o Pride said to be the last vice the good man gets clear of.
o Pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt.
o A pot of milk is ruined by a drop of poison.
Q
o A quarrel is like buttermilk -- once it's out of the churn, the more you shake it, the more sour it grows.
R
o Rats desert a sinking ship.
o Revenge is a dish best served cold.
o Revenge is sweet.
o The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
o Robbing Peter to pay Paul.
o A rolling stone gathers no moss.
o Ruse only flourishes if it be stolen.
S
o Self conceit may lead to self destruction.
o Send a thief to catch a thief.
o Set a thief to catch a thief.
o Setting a fox to guard the hen house.
o Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden but it is forbidden because it is hurtful.
o Skeletons in the closet.
o A sly rogue is often in good dress.
o Small choice in rotten apples.
o A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger [Old Testament].
o Some days you get the bear, other days the bear gets you.
o Someone who gossips to you will gossip about you.
o Speak of the devil and he's sure to appear.
o A spoon does not know the taste of soup, nor a learned fool the taste of wisdom.
o Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
o Still waters run deep.
o Stupid is as stupid does.
o Stolen fruit is the sweetest.
o Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
T
o Talk of the devil and he's sure to appear.
o Talkers are not doers.
o That which comes of a cat will catch mice.
o There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.
o There are three types of lies -- lies, damned lies and statistics.
o There is a black sheep in every family.
o There's no arguing with the barrel of a gun.
o There is no little enemy.
o There is no honor among thieves.
o There's no peace for the wicked.
o There's no smoke without fire.
o There is nothing so bad that it couldn't be worse.
o There's one law for the rich, and another for the poor.
o There is something rotten in the State of Denmark.
o They are not all saints who use holy waters.
o Things are not always what they seem.
o Thinking the worst always prepares you for the worst.
o A thorn between two roses.
o Those who are feared are hated.
o To envy others is foolish indeed.
o To trust the cat to keep the cream.
o Touting one's own horn (Meaning: bragging).
o A trade not properly learned is an enemy.
o Two wrongs don't make a right.
U
o Unwillingness easily finds an excuse.
V
o Vices are their own punishment.
o Violence begets violence.
W
o The wages of sin is death.
o Walls have ears.
o We fear what we don't understand.
o What goes around, comes around (Meaning: You will eventually have to face the consequences of your actions towards others as people tend to behave towards you as you have behaved towards others).
o When drums beat, laws are silent.
o When a proud man hears another praised, he feels himself injured.
o When the cat's away, the mice will play.
o When the fox preaches, beware the geese.
o When you see a snake, never mind where the came from.
o Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.
o Where there's gossiping, there's lying.
o Where there is muck there's brasss.
o Where there is no trust, there is no love.
o Where there's smoke, there's fire.
o Where there's whispering, there's lying.
o Who gossips with you will gossip of you.
o Who receives a gift, sells his liberty.
o A wicked book is the wicker because it cannot repent.
o Witches cast the devil's nets.
o With friends like these, who needs enemies?
o A wolf in sheep's clothing (Someone who pretends to have good intentions, when he has anything but).
Y
o You're casting pears before swine.
o You can fool people some of the time, but you can't fool them all of the time.
o You must face the consequences of your actions.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery 102831
| | View full size image |
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Spanish speaking countries | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Folk Sayings or Proverbs on Good and Evil -- Virtue -- Faith, Hope, Love, Prudence, Fortitude, Justice and Temperance
B
o The best mirror is an old friend.
o in English translation: Big horse, whether or not it can trot.
- Meaning: A good thing, even if it can't do something basic.
- Spanish original: Caballo grande, ande o no ande.
C
o in English translation: Cowl does not make the friar.
- Meaning: Clothes don't make the man, or don't judge a book by its cover.
- Spanish original: El habito no hace al monje.
o in English translation: Create fame, and go to sleep.
- Meaning: Do things right the first time and your tranquility is assured.
- Spanish original: Crea fama y acuestate a dormir.
D
o in English translation: Do not check the teeth of a horse given as a present.
- Meaning: Don't criticize gifts, or Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
- Spanish original: Caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.
o in English translation (literally): Don't speak of the noose in the hanged man's house.
- Meaning: Don't talk about others' problems in their own home.
- Spanish original: No hables de la soga en casa del altorcado.
o in English translation: Don't speak unless you can improve on silence.
o in English translation: Don't wait for tomorrow to do something you can do today.
- Spanish original: No dejes para manana lo que puedas hacer hoy.
o in English translation: Dress me slowly, since I'm in a hurry.
- Meaning: Do things as best as you can even if you are running out of time.
- Spanish original: Vistanme despacio que estoy de afan.
E
o Even the best writer has to erase.
o in English translation: Even the wisest makes mistakes.
- Spanish original: Hasta el justo se euivoca.
o in English translation: Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel.
- Meaning: If you don't see something happen, you never feel sorry for it.
- Spanish original: Ojos que no ven, corazon que no siente.
G
o in English translation: God helps those who get up early. - Meaning: God helps those who help themselves or Initiative will be rewarded.
- Spanish original: A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda.
H
o in English translation: He/She who does not limp, hobbles. - Meaning: We are all the same.
- Spanish original: Quien no cojea, renquea.
o in English translation: He who rises early gathers clear water.
- Meaning: First come, first served or Early bird gets the worm.
- Spanish original: El que madruga coge agua clara.
I
o in English translation: If there's no bread, cakes will do.
- Meaning: Settle for the next best thing.
- Spanish original: A falta de pan, buenas son tortas.
o If you are not good for yourself, how can you be good for others?
o If you want to be respected, you must respect yourself.
o If you want the dog, accept the fleas.
o in English translation: Impossible only exists in the world of the incapables.
- Meaning: Anything is possible if you put your mind toward it.
- Spanish original: Imposible sol existe en el mundo de los incapaces.
o in English translation: In a shut mouth, flies cannot get in.
- Meaning: Sometimes silence is the best option.
- Equivalent: A closed mouth gathers no flies.
- Spanish original: En boca cerrada no entran moscas.
o It is better to conceal one's knowledge than to reveal one's ignorance.
o It is better to weep with wise men than to laugh with fools.
G
o God comes to see without ringing the bell.
o God will listen to you whatever cloak you wear.
H
o in English translation: He who is to receive, some is saved for him, and if he is late it will be warmed up again. - Meaning: Sometimes people help others no matter what.
I
o in English translation: It is better to arrive at the right moment than to be invited.
- Meaning: It is better to be prepared than to depend on others.
- Spanish original: Mais vale llegar a tiempo que en convidado.
K
o Knowledge, teaching and words may be deeds.
L
o in English translation: Let waters you will not be drinking run freely.
- Meaning: If you don't need something, leave it for others to use; be generous.
- Spanish original: Agua que no has de beber, dejala correr.
M
o A man who develops himself is born twice.
N
o Necessity is a great teacher.
o Never ask God to give you anything; ask him to put you where things are.
O
o in English translation: Of that which you have done take it on the chest.
- Meaning: Take it like a man, or Accept the consequences of what you do.
- Spanish original: A lo hecho, pecho.
P
o in English translation: Pray to God, but also hit with the mallet.
- Meaning: Pray to God but you also have to do your part.
- Spanish original: A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando.
o in English translation: Put a nice face to the bad times. - Meaning: Be positive even in bad situations.
o in English translation: Put the candle not so close that it would burn the saint, nor so far that it will fail to light it.
- Meaning: Don't be careless or shoddy.
- Spanish original: Ni tanto que queme al santo, ni tan poco que no lo alumbre.
S
o in English translation: The shrimp that falls asleep is swept away the current.
- Meaning: You should never take things for granted nor cease to make an effort.
- Spanish original: Camaron que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente.
o in English translation: Skill is better than strength.
- Spanish original: Mas vale mana que fuerza.
o in English translation: Spices are good but not too much
- Meaning: There's no need to overdo it.
- Spanish original: Bueno es culantro, pero no tanto.
T
o in English translation: Tell me who you hang around with and I'll tell you who you are.
- Meaning: Your choice of friends is a sign of your character.
- Spanish original: Dime con quien andas, y te dire quien eres.
o in English translation: The man who is aware is worth two men.
- Equivalent: Forewarned is forearmed.
- Spanish original: Hombre prevenido vale por dos.
o in English translation: There is no honey without gall.
- Meaning: There is nothing good in life without a downside.
- English equivalent: No pain, no gain.
- Spanish original: No hay miel sin hiel.
o in English translation: There is no teacher like your own flesh.
- English equivalent: Experience is the best teacher.
- Spanish original: No hables a menos que puedas mejorar en el silencio.
- Spanish original: No hay maestro como carne propia.
o There is nothing hidden between Heaven and Earth.
o in English translation: The time wasted the saints cry for.
- Meaning: be productive.
- Spanish original: El tiempo perdido los santos lo lloran.
o in English translation: To the good "understander" few words are needed.
- Meaning: To a good listener, few words are enough, understanding comes easy.
W
o in English translation: Walk safe and slow to go far and well.
- Meaning: Slow and steady wins the race.
- Spanish original: El que va piano, va lontano.
o in English translation: What does not kill, fattens.
- Meaning: What doesn't kill me, strengthens me.
- Spanish original: Lo que no mata, engorda.
o in English translation: Where there is room for two, there is room for three.
- Spanish original: Donde caben dos, caben tres.
o in English translation: Who doesn't cry, doesn't nurse.
- Meaning: if you never ask for help, probably you will never receive it.
- Spanish original: Quien no llora, no mama.
o in English translation: Whoever leans close to a good tree is blanketed by good shade.
- Meaning: Seek out the good in life.
- Spanish original: Quien a buen arbol se arrima buena sombra le cobija.
o Who knows most speaks least.
o in English translation: Who looks for something will find it.
- Spanish original: El que busca encuentra.
o A wise man learns at the fool's expense.
Y
o in English translation: You look prettier when you're quiet.
- Meaning: If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
- Spanish original: Calladita se ve mas bonita.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #827742
| | View full size image |
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Spanish speaking countries | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Spanish Proverbs or Folk Sayings on Good and Evil -- Vice -- Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy and Sloth
B
o Beads about the neck, and the devil in the heart.
o Better a quiet death an a public misfortune.
o Between brothers, two witnesses and a notary.
o Books are hindrances to persisting stupidity.
C
o in English translation (literally): Cat for a rabbit.
- Meaning: To try to cheat someone [Skinned rabbits look like cats, so butchers in the old days might have tried to pass a cat for a rabbit].
- Spanish original: Gato por liebre.
D
o The devil is seldom out shot in his own bow.
o in English translation (literally): Don't blame the pig, blame the one who scratches his back.
- Meaning: Bad things' blame goes to the ones who allowed them besides the ones who actually do them.
- Spanish original: La culpa no es del chancho, sino del que le rasca el lomo.
o Do not rejoice at my grief, for when mine is old, yours will be new.
o A dog that barks all the time gets little attention.
E
o in English translation (literally): Everyone makes lumber from a fallen tree.
- Meaning: Anyone can make a profit from someone's grace. Or, Opportunities need to be taken when they show up.
- Spanish original: Del arbol caido todos hacen lena.
o Envious persons never compliment, they only swallow.
F
o Flattery makes friends and truth makes enemies.
o in English translation (literally) Fleas jump on a skinny dog.
- Meaning: The weak attract problems.
- Spanish original: A perro flaco se le suben las pulgas.
o A friend to everybody and to nobody is the same thing.
H
o He that doth not rob makes not a robe or garment.
o in English translation (literally): He went looking for wool and came back shorn.
- Meaning: If you go for something, it might end up hurting you.
- English equivalent: All that glitters isn't gold.
- Spanish original: Fue por lana y solia trasquilado.
o in English translation (literally): He who doesn't scheme, doesn't get ahead. Or, if You don't scheme, you don't get ahead.
- Meaning: Saying is usually used as a justification for illegal or questionable activities.
- Spanish original: El que no transa, no avanza.
o in English translation (literally): He who hangs out with wolves will learn how to howl.
- Meaning: Bad influences transform you.
- Spanish original: Quien anda con lobos a aullar aprende.
o in English translation (literally): He who is silent, consents.
- Meaning: Consenting to injustice by doing nothing to stop it.
- Spanish original: Quien calla, otorga.
o in English translation (literally): He who keeps quiet, grants consent.
- Spanish original: El que calla, otorga.
o He who knows nothing, doubts nothing.
o He who goes with wolves learns to howl.
I
o in English translation (literally): In a land of blind people a one-eyed is king.
- Meaning: The value of your capacities is relative, and depends on the context (Usually used for making vain people to come back to reality.).
- Spanish original: En la sala una dama, una puta en la cama.
o It is better to conceal one's knowledge than to reveal one's ignorance.
o in English translation (literally): It's easier to see the straw in someone else than the beam in oneself.
- Meaning: Normally you see defects on other people easier than in yourself.
- Spanish original: Es mas facil ver la paja en ojo ajeno que la viga en el propio.
o It is good to have friends even in hell.
L
o Laws catch flies but let hornets go free.
o Let your heart guide your head in evil matters.
o in English translation (literally): A loudmouth/big talker will on on his face faster than a lame man.
- Meaning: A braggart will quickly be revealed as a fraud when he can't back up what he says.
- Spanish original: Cae mas rapido un hablador que un cojo.
P
o in English translation (literally): The poor writer blames the pen.
- Meaning: It is a poor workman who complains about his tools.
- Spanish original: El mal escribano le echa la culpa a la pluma.
o in English translation (literally): Priest Gatica preaches but doesn't practice (what he preaches).
- Meaning: What he says is not what he does.
- Spanish original: Cura Gatica, predica pero no practica.
o Punishment is a cripple but it arrives.
R
o in English translation (literally): Raise crows and they will peck your eyes out.
- Meaning: No good can come of doing unworthy deeds.
- Spanish original: Cria curvos y te sacaran los ojos.
S
o in English translation (literally): A scalded cat flees from cold water.
- English equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy.
- Spanish original: Gato escaldado del agua fria huye.
o The stolen ox sometimes puts his head out of the stall.
T
o in English translation (literally): Tell me what you praise yourself of, and I'll you what you suffer from.
- Meaning: Tell me what you boast about and I'll tell you what you lack.
- Spanish original: Dime de que te alabras, y te dire de que padeces.
o in English translation (literally): There is no honey without gall.
- Meaning: There is nothing good in life without a downside.
- Equivalent: No pain, no gain.
- Spanish original: No hay miel sin hiel.
o in English translation (literally): There is no misfortune that doesn't come with good.
- Meaning: Don't take for granted that with good luck won't come misfortune.
- Equivalent: The road to Hell is paved by good intentions.
- Spanish original: No hay mal que por bien no venga.
o in English translation (literally): To a car that's half closed, all are roads.
- Meaning: To a corrupt person, everyone is a road -- usable.
- Spanish original: A carro entornado, todos son caminos.
o To deny all, is to confess all.
o in English translation (literally): To a skinny dog all are fleas.
- Meaning: To the weak of character, everything seems to be problem, and/or responsibiities are irritating.
- Spanish original: A perro flaco todo son pulgas.
W
o We make more enemies by what we say than friends by what we do.
o in English translation (literally): When the river makes noise, it's because it's carrying water.
- Meaning: Every rumor has probably a true part.
- Spanish original: Cuando el rio suena, agua lleva.
o in English translation (literally): Where they give things, they can take them too.
- Meaning: Sentence used as a threat when someone wants to pay somebody back.
- Spanish original: Donde las dan, las toman.
o Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.
o The wolf and the dog agree, at the expense of the goat which together they eat.
o The wolf loses his teeth, but not his inclinations.
Y
o in English translation (literally): You give them a hand and they take your elbow.
- Meaning: When you help someone, it might end up backfiring.
- Equivalent: Give him an inch and he'll take a mile.
- Spanish equivalent: Les da uno la mano y se toman hasta el codo.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #87522
| | View full size image |
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French speaking countries | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: French Proverbs or Folk Sayings on Virtue -- Faith, Hope, Love, Prudence, Fortitude, Justice and Temperance
A
o in English translation: As one makes one's bed, one lies in it.
- Meaning: One needs to take responsibility for one's actions.
- French original: Comme on fait son lit on se couche.
B
o in English translation: Better is the enemy of good.
- Meaning: Let well alone.
- French original: Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien.
o in English translation: Better to be alone than in bad company.
- French original: Mieux vaut etre seul que mal accompagne.
o in English translation: Better to bend than to break.
- Meaning: Adapt and survive.
- French original: Mieux vaut plier que rompre.
o in English translation: Better to do than to say.
- Meaning: Actions speak louder than words.
- French original: Mieux vaut faire que dire.
C
o in English translation: Charity begins at home.
- French original: Charite bien ordonnee commence par soi-meme.
o Common sense is not so common.
o in English translation: Crime does not pay.
- French original: Le crime ne paie pas.
D
o in English translation: Don't poke your finger 'twix the bark and the tree.
- Meaning: Do not meddle in other people's family affairs.
- French original: Entre l'arbre et l'ecorce, il ne faut pas mettre le doight.
o Don't make use of another's mouth unless it has been lent to you.
o in English translation: Do your duty come what may.
- French original: Fais ce que dois, advienne que pourra.
E
o in English translation: Each to his craft, and the cows will be well looked after.
- Meaning: One should mind one's own business.
- French original: Chacun son metier, les vaches seront bien gardees.
o in English translation: Excess in anything is a fault.
- Meaning: Too much is too much.
- French original: L'exes en tout est un defaut.
F
o in English translation: A fault confessed is half redressed.
- French original: Faute avouee est a moitie pardonne.
G
o Good advice is often annoying, bad advice never.
o in English translation: A good name is worthier than a golden belt.
- Meaning: A good name is better than riches.
- French original: Bonne renommee vaut mieux que ceinture doree.
o Gratitude is the heart's memory
o in English translation (literally) Great spirits meet one another.
- Equivalent: Great minds think alike.
- French original: Les grands esprits se rencontrent.
I
o If you want the truth, ask a child.
o in English translation: It is better to address God than his saints.
- French original: Mieux vaut s'adresser a Dieu qu'a ses saints.
o in English translation: It is better to lose a good word than a friend.
- French original: Il vaut mieux perdre un bon mot qu'un ami.
o in English translation: It is necessary to learn how to obey to know to command.
- French original: Il faut apprendre a obeir pour savoir commander.
o in English translation: It is never too late to do well.
- Meaning: It's never too late to mend.
- French original: Il n'est jamais trop tard pour bien faire.
o in English translation: It is one loaned for one returned.
- Meaning: One good turn deserves another.
- French original: C'est un prete pour un rendu.
o in English translation: It's the melody that makes the song.
- Meaning: It's not what you say but the way you say it.
- French original: C'est le ton qui fait la chanson.
o in English translation: It's when in need that one recognizes his friends.
- Meaning: A friend in need is a friend indeed.
- French original: C'est dans le besoin qu'on reconnait ses vrais amis.
L
o Learning is there for every man.
o in English translation (literally): Little by little the bird builds its nest.
- French original: Petit a petit l'oiseau fait son nid.
M
o Mingle just a little folly with your wisdom.
N
o in English translation: The night brings advice.
- Meaning: Sleep on it.
- French original: La nuit porte conseil.
o Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.
O
o in English translation: Obedience comes before leadership.
- French original: Il faut savoir obeir avant que de commander.
o in English translation: Of two evils one must choose the lesser.
- French original: Entre deux maux, il faut choisir le moindre.
o in English translation (literally): On a given horse one doesn't look at the teeth.
- Meaning: Don't criticize gifts.
- French original: A cheval donne on ne regarde pas les dents.
o in English translation: One is never so well served as by oneself.
- Meaning: If you want something done right, do it yourself.
- French original: On n'est jamais si bien servi que par soi-meme.
o in English translation: One must turn the tongue seven times in the mouth before speaking.
- Meaning: Think before you speak.
- French original: Il faut tourner sa langue spet fois dans sa bouche avant de parler.
o in English translation: One needs to wash one's dirty laundry with family around.
- Meaning: Don't air your dirty laundry in public.
- French original: Il faut laver son linge sale en famille.
o in English translation (literally): Only mountains never meet.
- Meaning: There are none so distant that fate cannot bring together.
- French original: Il n'y a que les montagnes qui ne se rencontrent jamais.
o in English translation: Only truth hurts.
- French original: Il n'y a que la verite quie blesse.
o in English translation: Out of discussion springs forth the light.
- Meaning: Two heads are better than one.
- French original: Deux avis valent mieux qu'un.
P
o Patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet.
o in English translation: Punctuality is the politeness of kings.
- French original: L'exactitude est la politesse des rois.
R
o in English translation: Receiving without giving turns the friendship.
- French original: Recevoir sans donner fait tournee l'amitie.
S
o in English translation: Soft words don't scratch the tongue.
- Meaning: Good words break no bones.
- French original: Douce parole n'ecorche pas langue.
o in English translation: The spit of the toad doesn't reach the white dove.
- Meaning: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
- French original: L'hommme est un loup pour l'homme.
o in English translation: The sun shines for everybody.
- French original: Le soleil luit pour tout le monde.
T
o in English translation: Talk is silver, silence is golden.
- Equivalent: Silence is golden.
- French original: La parole est d'argent, mais le silence est d'or.
o in English translation (literally): Tell me whom you haunt and I will tell you who you are.
- Meaning: A man is known by the company he keeps.
- French original: Dis-mois qui tu hantes, je te dirai qui tu es.
o in English translation: There are none so blind as they who will not see.
- French original: Il n'est pire aveugle que celui qui ne veut pas voir.
o There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.
o in English translation: There is none so deaf as he who will not hear.
- French original: Il n'est pire sourd que celui quie ne veut pas entendre.
o in English translation: Thing promised, thing owed.
- Meaning: Promises are made to be kept.
- French original: Chose promise, chose due.
o in English translation: Travels train young people.
- French original: Les voyages forment la jeunesse.
o in English translation: The truth comes from the mouth of children.
- French original: La verite sort de la bouche des enfants.
W
o in English translation: What is done no longer needs to be done.
- Meaning: Don't leave till tomorrow what can be finished today.
- French original: Ce qui est fait n'est plus a faire.
o When in doubt, forbear.
o The wise do as much as they should, not as much as they can.
o Write injuries in sand, kindnesses in marble.
Y
o in English translation: You don't catch flies with vinegar.
- Meaning: Honey catches more flies than vinegar.
- French original: On ne prend pas les mouches avec du vinaigre.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #832441
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French speaking countries | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: French Proverbs, Famous Quotes, or Folk Sayings on Vice -- Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy and Sloth
A
o in English translation: The absent are always in the wrong.
- French original: Les absents ont toujours tort.
o in English translation (literally): Appearances are deceptive.
- Equivalent: All that glitters is not gold.
- French original: Les apparences sont trompeuses.
B
o Better the foot slip than the tongue.
o in English translation: The Bible as read by the devil.
- English equivalent: Devil quoting scripture.
- French original: La bible comme lu par le diable.
o in English translation: Big talkers are not big doers.
- French original: Les grands diseurs ne sont pas les grands faiseurs.
C
o Cats like men are flatterers.
o in English translation (literally) Comparison is no reason.
- Meaning: Comparisons are misleading.
- French original: Comparaison n'est pas raison.
o in English translation (literally): Curiosity is a wicked fault.
- Equivalent: curiosity killed the cat.
- French original: La curiosite est un vilain defaut.
D
o in English translation (literally): The devil always shits in the same place.
- Meaning: The criminal always returns to the scene of the crime.
- French original: Le diable chie toujours au meme endroit.
o The devil is a busy bishop in his own diocese.
o in English translation: Do as I say, not as I do.
- French original: Fais ce que je dis, ne fais pas ce que je fais.
o Don't bark if you can't bite.
o in English translation (literally) Don't undress Peter to dress Paul.
- Equivalent: Don't rob Peter to pay Paul.
- French original: Il ne faut pas deshabiller Pierre pour habiller Paul.
E
o in English translation (literally): The end justifies the means.
- French original: La fin justifie les moyens.
F
o Feather by feather the goose can be plucked.
o in English translation (literally): The festival has passed, goodbye to the saint.
- Equivalent: The river passed, and God forgotten.
- French original: La fete passee, adieu le saint.
o Fools are wise until they speak.
G
o A good lawyer, a bad neighbor.
o in English translation (literally): Goods badly acquired never profit.
- English equivalent: Ill-gotten gains seldom prosper.
- French original: Bien mal acquis ne profite jamais.
o The great thieves lead away the little thieves.
H
o He that asks what he should not, hears what he would not.
o He that seeks trouble never misses.
o He who is near the church is often far from God.
o in English translation: He who takes without giving makes a friendship go sour.
- French original: Recevoir sans donner fait tourner l'amiti.
o in English translation (literally): Hell is paved with good intentions.
- Equivalent: The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
- French original: L'enfer est pave de bonnes intentions.
I
o in English translation (literally): Idleness is the mother of all sins.
- Equivalent: An idle mind is the devil's workshop.
- French original: L'oisivete est la mere de tous les vices.
o It is easier to criticize than to do better.
o in English translation (literally): It is the hen which sings which has laid the egg.
Equivalent: The guilty dog barks the loudest.
French original: C'est la poule qui chante qui a fait l'oeuf.
o It is only the tree loaded with fruit that the people throw stones.
L
o Liars need good memories.
o A lie travels round the world while truth is putting her boots on.
o Little thieves are hanged but great ones escape.
o in English translation (literally): Look for the woman.
- Meaning: A woman is probably at the heart of the quarrel.
- French original: Cherchez la femme.
M
o in English translation (literally) The man is a wolf for the man.
- Equivalent: Brother will turn on brother.
- French original: L'homme est un loup pour l'homme.
o Man is not man, but a wolf to those he does not know.
o Many come to church to air their finery.
o in English translation (literally): The misfortune of some makes the joy of others.
- Equivalent: One man's meat is another man's poison.
- French original: Le malheur des un fait le bonheur des autres.
o in English translation (literally): The motive of the strongest is always the best.
- Equivalent: Might is always right.
- French original: La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure.
N
o Nothing is as burdensome as a secret.
O
o in English translation (literally) One needs to wash one's dirty laundry with family around.
- Equivalent: Don't air your dirty laundry in public.
- French original: Il faut laver son linge sale en famille.
o in English translation: Opportunity makes the thief.
- French original: L'occasion fait le larron.
P
o Politicians are like weather vanes.
R
o Rats desert a sinking ship.
o in English translation (literally): Revenge is a dish that is eaten cold.
- Equivalent: Revenge is a dish best served cold.
- French original: La vengeance est un plat qui se mange froid.
S
o Save a thief from the gallows and he will cut your throat.
o in English translation (literally): A scaled cat fears cold water.
- Equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy.
- French original: Chat echaude craint l'eau froide.
o in English translation (literally): Shameful be they who thinks badly of it.
- Equivalent: Evil be to he who evil thinks.
- French original: Honni soit qui mal y pense.
o The slowest barker is the surest biter.
o in English translation (literally): The spit of the toad doesn't reach the white dove.
- Equivalent: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
- French original: La bave du crapaud n'atteint pas la blanche colombe.
T
o in English translation: There's no smoke without fire.
French original: Il n'y a pas de petit chez soil.
o There's none so blind as those who will not see.
o There's none so deaf as those who will not hear.
W
o in English translation: Walls have ears.
- French original: Les murs ont des oreilles.
o "We confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no large ones." [Francois de la Rochefoucauld, author]
o in English translation: We often need someone smaller than ourselves.
- French original: On a souvent besoin d'un plus petite que soi.
o in English translation: Where the wolf finds a lamb, there one seeks a new one.
- French original: Ou le loup trouve un agneau, il y en cherche un nouveau.
o in English translation: Who makes herself an ewe, the wolf eats her.
- French original: Qui se fait brebis, le loup le mange.
o Who spits against the wind, spits in his own face.
Y
o in English translation: Your spluttering insults do not reach the umbrella of my indifference.
- French original: La pluie de vois injures n'atteint pas le parapluie de mon indifference.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The Library of Congress #0923r
| | View full size image |
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German speaking countries | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: German Proverbs or Folk Sayings on Virtue -- Faith, Hope, Love, Prudence, Fortitude, Justice and Temperance
A
o in English translation: All good things are three.
- English equivalent: Good things come in numbers of three.)
- GERMAN original: Aller guten dinge sind drei.
o All good comes from above.
- Meaning: God gives us all good things, sometimes used ironically when something falls on someone's head.
B
o in English translation (literally): Better to lick the knife than to give up the spoon.
- Meaning: It is preferable to face adversity than to die.
- German original: Lieber das messer ablecken als den loffel abgeben.
o The blind man explains the colors to the one-eyed man.
- English equivalent: The blind leading the blind.
C
o A clean mouth and honest hand, will take a man through any land.
o A close mouth and open eyes never did any one harm.
o Charity see the need not the cause.
D
o in English translation: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
- German original: Einem geschenkten gaul schaut man nicht ins maul.
o in English translation: Don't talk operas.
- Meaning: Say it short.
- German original: Quatsch kein opern.
E
o in English translation: Every loony is different.
- Meaning: Show some broad-mindedness.
- German original: Jeder Jeck ist anders.
F
o in English translation: First think, then steer.
- English equivalent: Think before you act.
- German original: Erst denken, dann lenken.
o in English translation: Four eyes see more than two.
- Equivalent: Two heads are better than one.
- German original: Vier augen sehen mehr als zwei.
o From damage one becomes intelligent.
- Meaning: One learns from one's mistakes.
G
o God gave us the nuts but he doesn't crack them.
o God gives the nuts, but he doesn't crack them.
- English equivalent: God helps those who help themselves.
o A good book praises itself.
o A good conscience is a soft pillow.
o A good name is a rich inheritance.
o in English translation: Gratitude and wheat prosper only on good soil.
- German original: Dankbarkeit und weiszen gedeihen nur auf gutem boden.
H
o Humility, this beautiful virtue, honors the age and the youth.
- German original: Demut, diese schone tugend, ehrt das alter und die jugend.
I
o If God were not willing to forgive sin, heaven would be empty.
o in English translation (literally): If time comes, advice comes.
- Meaning: With time comes insight.
- German original: Kommt zeit, kommt rat.
o in English translation: It's indeed hard to talk cleverly, still harder to be silent cleverly.
- Meaning: Know when to keep your mouth shut.
- German original: Klug zu reden ist doch schwer, klug zu schweigen noch viel mehr.
o in English translation: In briefness lies the spice.
- Equivalent: Brevity is the soul of wit.
- German original: In der kurze liegt die wurze.
o in English translation: It went well everything.
- Meaning: Do not fear the future.
- German original: Et hat noch immer joot jejange.
L
o A lean agreement is better than a fat lawsuit.
o in English translation: Learned is learned.
- Meaning: If you really learned something, you tend to be good at it.
- German original: Gelernt ist gelernt.
M
o in English translation (literally): A master has never yet fallen from the sky.
- Meaning: No one is an expert right away without any practice.
- Equivalent: Practice makes perfect.
- German original: Es is noch kein meister von himmel gefallen.
o in English translation (Literally): The mouths of children proclaim the truth.
- English equivalent: From the mouths of babes.
- German original: Kindermund tut wahrheit kund.
N
o in English translation: No diligence, no prize.
- Equivalent: NO pain, no gain.
- German original: Ohne fleib kein preis.
o Noble and common blood is of the same color.
O
o in English translation: One shouldn't praise the day before the evening.
- Meaning: Avoid premature judgement.
- German original: Man soll den tag nicht vor dem abend loben.
P
o in English translation: Practice makes the master.
- Equivalent: Practice makes perfect.
- German original: Ubung macht den meister.
o Pray as if no work could help and work as if no prayer could help.
o in English translation: A present is a present -- you'll go to hell if you are taking it back.
- Meaning: Gifts are final (or should be).
- German original: Geschenkt ist geschenkt - wiedergenommen in die holle gekommen.
S
o in English translation (literally): Shoemaker, stick to your last.
- Equivalent: Just do what you can do best.
- German original: Schuster, bleib bei deinem leisten.
o in English translation: A steady drop will carve the stone.
- Meaning: Continuous effort will eventually lead to success.
- German original: Steter tropfen hohlt den stein.
o in English translation: Sweep the ground in front of your own door.
- Meaning: Don't mess with other people's business, better take care of your own.
- German original: Kehre vor deiner eigenen tur.
T
o in English translation: Talking is silver, silence is gold.
- Equivalent: Talk is cheap, silence is golden.
- German original: Reden ist silbr, schweigen ist gold.
o A teacher is better than two books.
o in English translation: Trust is good, but verification is better.
- Equivalent: Trust but verify.
- German original: Vertrauen ist gut, kontrolle ist besser.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #832786
| | View full size image |
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German speaking countries | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: German Proverbs or Folk Sayings on Vice -- Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy and Sloth
A
o in English translation: All sins flow into one.
- GERMAN original: Adel verpflichtet.
o in English translation (literally): Among the blind, the one - eyed man is king.
- Meaning: Someone with limited means can only be considered superior by people with even more limited means.
- GERMAN original: Unter den blinden ist der eindugige der konig.
o Anger without power is folly.
o in English translation: Arrogance comes before the fall.
- Meaning: People tend to be arrogant until tehy fall.
- Equivalent: Pride cometh before the fall.
- German original: Hochmut kommt vor dem fall.
B
o A bad cause requires many words.
C
o in English translation: A cock that crows too early gets a twisted neck.
- German original: Dem han, der zu fruh kraht, dreht man den hals um.
D
o The devil catches most souls in a golden net.
o in English translation (literally): The devil hides himself in the details.
- German original: Der teufel steckt in detail.
E
o in English translation: The eavesdropper at the wall hears only his own dishonor.
- German translation: Der lauscher on der wand hort nur die eigene schand.
F
o Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.
o in English translation (literally): The fish stinks from the head.
- Meaning: Corruption starts at the top.
- German original: Der fisch stinkt vom kopf her.
o A flatter has water in one hand and fire in the other.
o in English translation: Fraud is a shopkeeper's field and plow.
- Meaning: Shopkeepers deal in fraud.
- German original:Betrug ist der kramer acker und pflug.
G
o A glutton young, a beggar old.
o A good speaker makes a good liar.
H
o in English translation (literally): He who doesn't want to listen will have to experience.
- Meaning: If you don't want to listen to what I tell you, you will get to feel a spanking [a threat to children].
- German original: Wer nicht horen will, muss fuhlen.
o He who has once burnt his mouth always blows his soup.
o He who holds the ladder is as bad as the thief.
o He who would rule must hear and be deaf, see and be blind.
o A hundred years of wrong do not make an hour of right.
I
o It is an ill procession where the devil bears the cross.
o in English translation (literally): It seems Spanish to me.
- Equivalent: That's a bit fishy.
- German original: Das kommt mir spanisch vor.
J
o in English translation (literally): Joy from other's misfortune is the best joy.
- German original: Schadenfreude ist die beste freude.
o in English translation (literally): Just as one calls into the forest, so it echoes back.
- Meaning: Do not expect friendly reply when being obnoxious.
- German original: Wie man in den wald hineinruft so schallt es zuruck.
L
o in English translation (literally): The last one is bitten by the dogs.
- Equivalent: The devil takes the hindmost.
- German original: Den letzten beiben die hunde.
o in English translation (literally): Lies have short legs.
English equivalent: All lies come back to haunt you.
- German original: Lugen haben kurze Beine.
M
o in English translation: Modesty is the highest form of arrogance.
- German original: Bescheidenheit ist die hochste form der arroganz.
O
o One does evil enough when one does nothing good.
o in English translation (literally): Only dead fish swim with the stream.
- Meaning: People who do not possess willpower will simply follow the majority, doing what everyone else are doing, without thinking.
- German original: Nur tote fische schwimmen mit dem strom.
N
o in English translation (literally): Not all that glitters is gold.
- Meaning: Beware of a superficial impression.
- German original: Es ist nicht alles gold, was glanzt.
o in English translation (literally): Not to paint the devil on the wall.
- Meaning: Do not make it out to be worse than it actually is.
- German original: Den teufel nicht an die wand malen.
P
o in English translation (literally): Paper is patient.
- Meaning: Just because it is in writing doesn't mean it's true.
- German original: Papier ist geduldig.
S
o The silent dog is always the first to bite.
T
o There are many preachers who don't hear themselves.
o in English translation: To have a corpse in the basement.
English equivalent: Skeletons in the closet.
- German original: Eine leiche in keller haben.
o in English translation (literally): To saw off the branch you're sitting on.
- Equivalent: To bite the hand that feeds you.
- German original: Den ast absagen, auf dem man sitzt.
o in English translation (literally): Turn a billy-goat into a gardener.
- Meaning: To disregard a trustee's harmful conflict of interests.
- German original: Den bock zum gartner machen.
V
o in English translation (literally): Vanity is also an education.
- German original: Einbildung ist auch eine bildung.
W
o When God says today, the devil says tomorrow.
o Where God has a temple, the devil has a chapel.
o in English translation (literally): When scoundrels argue, the truth is revealed.
- Meaning: Secret or criminal acts can only be kept a secret as long as the perpetrators do not quarrel among themselves.
- German original: Wenn gauner sich streiten kommt die wahrheit ans licht.
o Where the devil cannot come, he will send.
o in English translation (literally) With such friends, one doesn't need enemies anymore.
- German original: Mit solchen freunden braucht man keine feinde mehr.
o in English translation (literally): Who digs a pit for others falls into it himself.
- German original: Wer anderen ein grube grabt, fallt selbst hinein.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The Library of Congress #0687r
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The East | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Eastern Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil -- Virtue
o "It takes great wisdom to laugh at one's own misfortunes."
| Contributed by: Image courtesty of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #1524873
| | View full size image |
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The East | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Eastern Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil -- Virtue
o "Patience is the key of joy, but haste is the key of sorrow."
| Contributed by: Image courtesty of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #1524845
| | View full size image |
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