Alphabetical list of proverbs - A - Z Proverb A
Explanation / Meaning
When you are away from someone you love, you love them even more. Some unfortunate events must be Accidents will happen. accepted as inevitable. Actions speak louder What a person actually does is more than words. important that what they say they will do. Advice is cheap. It doesn't cost anything to offer advice. Advice is least heeded When a problem is serious, people when most needed. often do not follow the advice given. Advisers run no risks. It's easier to give advice than to act. All cats are grey in the People are undistinguished until they Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
dark. have made a name. All good things come to Patience brings rewards. those who wait. All that glitters is not Appearances can be deceptive. gold. All days are short to Time goes by slowly when you have Industry and long to nothing to do. Idleness. All is fair in love and Things that are done in love or war can war often be excused. There is a solution to everything even All's well that ends well though there are doubts. All that glitters is not What look good on the outside may not gold. be so in reality. All things grow with As time goes by, grief subsides little by
time - except grief. All things are difficult before they are easy.
little. With practice things become easier.
Everybody needs a certain amount of All work and no play relaxation. It is not good to work all makes Jack a dull boy. the time. Eating an apple every day can help to An apple a day keeps keep you healthy. the doctor away.* Other interpretation : A small preventive treatment wards off serious problems. An empty purse When one's financial situation frightens away friends. deteriorates, friends tend to disappear. An Englishman's home is a place where An Englishman's home he feels safe, enjoys privacy is his castle. and can do as he wishes.
An idle brain is the devil's workshop. An onion a day keeps everyone away.*
When you work you avoid temptation.
*A humoristic version of "an apple a day..." It is easier to prevent something from An ounce of prevention happening than to repair the damage or is worth a pound of cure. cure the disease later. Anger is the one thing When you are angry, it is best not to made better by delay. speak or act immediately. Any time means no If the date of an event remains vague, it time. will never happen. April showers bring May Something bad or unpleasant today may flowers. bring good things in the future. A bad tree does not
A bad parent does not raise good
yield good apples. children. A bad workman blames Blaming the tools for bad workmanship his tools. is an excuse for lack of skill. It's better to keep what you have than to A bird in hand is worth risk losing it by searching for something two in a bush. better. A broken friendship Friendships can be rebuilt after a may be soldered but will dispute but will never be as strong as never be sound. before. A burden of one's own Something difficult seems easier when it choice is not felt. is done voluntarily. A burnt child dreads A bad experience will make people stay the fire. away from certain things. A cat has nine lives. 1) Cats can survive many accidents because they land on their feet without
injury. 2) Three lives = 3 years to play, 3 years to stray, 3 years to stay. A chain is no stronger The strength of a group depends on than its weakest link. each individual member. A change is as good as A change in routine is often as a rest. refreshing as a break or a holiday. A dry March, a wet April and a cool May Harvest predictions according to the fill barn and cellar and weather. bring much hay. A fault confessed is half Confession is the beginning of redressed. forgiveness. A flower blooms more If you miss an occasion, you can avail than once. of it at another time.
A fool and his money A foolish person usually spends money are soon (easily) parted. carelessly. A fool at forty is a fool If a person hasn't matured by the age of forever. 40, they never will. A friend in need is a Someone who helps you when you are friend indeed. in trouble is a real friend. A friend to all is a friend Someone who is a friend to everyone to none. makes none of them feel special. A friend's eye is a good A real friend will tell you the truth. mirror. A good example is the Giving an example is better than giving best sermon. advice. A good beginning If a task is carefully planned, there's a makes a good end. better chance that it will be done well. A good conscience is a You sleep well when you have nothing
soft pillow. to feel guilty about. A guilty conscience needs no accuser. A leopard cannot It is not possible for a bad or unpleasant change its spots. person to become good or pleasant. A loaded wagon makes Really wealthy don't talk about money. no noise. A loveless life is a living death. A man can die but once. A man is as old as he feels himself to be. A person's character is judged by the A man is known by the type of people with whom they spend company he keeps. their time.
No matter how someone dresses, it's the same person underneath. A newly-appointed person makes changes energetically. It will be easier to deal with a problem if you discuss it with someone. Describes something that will be helpful to all. If a person keeps moving from place to place, they gain neither friends nor A rolling stone gathers possessions. no moss. Another interpretation is that, by moving often, one avoids being tied down! A rotten apple spoils A dishonest or immoral person can the barrel. have a bad influence on a group. A monkey in silk is a monkey no less. A new broom sweeps clean. A problem shared is a problem halved. A rising tide lifts all boats.
A smooth sea never Overcoming adversity leads to made a skilled mariner. competence. It's better to deal with a problem at an A stitch in time saves early stage, to prevent it from getting nine. worse. A stumble may prevent Correcting a small mistake may help a fall. you to avoid making a bigger one. A swallow does not One good event does not mean that make the summer. everything is alright. A tree is known by its A man is judged by his actions. fruit. A watched pot never If you wait anxiously for something, it boils seems to take a long time. A young idler, an old If you don't work, you won't have any beggar. money when you're old.
After dinner rest a while, after supper walk a mile. As you sow, so shall you reap Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. B Bad news travels fast.
Today 'dinner' is usually called 'lunch', and 'supper' more often called 'dinner'. You have to accept the consequences of your actions. There are subjects I'd rather not discuss. People tend to circulate bad news (accidents, illness etc.) very quickly. A person's character is more important than their appearance.
Beauty is only skin deep. Beauty is in the eye of Different people have different tastes. the beholder. Beauty is the wisdom of
women. Wisdom is the beauty of men. Be swift to hear, slow to Listen carefully before speaking. speak. Better be alone than in Be careful in the choice of the people bad company. you associate with. Better be the head of a It's better to be the leader of a small dog then the tail of a group than a subordinate in a bigger one. lion. Better flatter a fool than It's better to avoid disputes with stupid fight him. people. It's better to deal with somebody difficult Better the devil you but familiar, than change and risk dealing know than the devil you don't know with somebody worse.
It's better to do something, even if it's Better late than never. late, than not do it at all. It's better to stop and accept a small Better lose the saddle loss, rather than continue and risk losing than the horse. everything. It's better to be too careful than to be Better safe than sorry careless and regret it later. Better to drink the milk Be careful not to destroy the source of than to eat the cow. your income or welfare. Better untaught than ill- It's better not to be taught at all than to taught be taught badly. Beware of Greeks Don't trust your enemies. bearing gifts. Birds of a feather flock People of the same sort are usually together. found together.
Blood is thicker than water Blood will out.
C Charity begins at home. Children and fools tell the truth. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
Family relationships are stronger than relationships with other people. A person's background or education will eventually show. A person's first duty is to help and care for his own family.
A clean body is just as important as a pure soul. If the atmosphere is clear, frost may Clear moon, frost soon. form. Clothes don't make the Appearances can be deceiving. man.
Constant occupation prevents temptation.
When you work you avoid temptation.
A dead person cannot cause difficulties D Dead men tell no tales by revealing something that it would be preferable to conceal. Refers to two people equally matched in Diamond cuts diamond. wit or cunning. Diligence is the mother Hard work brings rewards. of good fortune. Discretion is the better It is useless to take unnecessary risks. part of valour Diseases of the soul are more dangerous than those of the body.
When you are separated from the Distance makes the person you love, your feelings are even heart grow fonder. stronger. Dogs of the same street People from the same background have bark alike. the same behaviour. Don't bark if you can't Don't complain if you can't enforce your bite. point of view. Don't count your You must not be too confident that chickens before they're something will be successful. hatched. Don't dig your grave Don't do something yourself which with your own knife and causes your own downfall. fork. Don't judge a book by Don't judge by appearances. its cover.
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man E healthy, wealthy and wise. Easier said than done.
What is suggested sounds easy but it is more difficult to actually do it.
Elbow grease is the Hard work gives the best results. best polish. Empty vessels make the The least intelligent people are often the most noise. most talkative or noisy. Every ass likes to hear People like to listen to themselves himself bray. talking. Every cloud has a silver There is a positive or hopeful side to lining every unpleasant situation.
You must think of your own interests Every man for himself. before the interests of others. Every man has his Everyone's loyalty can be bought for a price. price. Every man is the architect of his own Life is what you make it. fortune. Every path has its Progress is rarely without difficulty. puddle. Every rose has its Every good thing has an unpleasant thorn. side. Every why has a There is an explanation for everything. wherefore. Everything in the Everything is satisfactory. garden is rosy.
Experience is the father Experience and knowledge result in of wisdom. better judgement. People show what they are really like by Facts speak louder than F what they do, rather than by what words. they say. Failure teaches success. False friends are worse than open enemies. Familiarity breeds Knowing somebody very well may lead contempt to a lack of respect for them. Fine words butter no No amount of talking can replace action. parsnips. First come, first served. The first person in the line will be
attended to first. Fool me once, shame on you; One should learn from one's mistakes. fool me twice, shame on me. Fools rush in where Inexperienced people act in situations angels fear to tread that more intelligent people would avoid Friendship is love with understanding. Gardens are not made G by sitting in the shade. Give someone an inch and they will take a mile (or yard).
Nothing is achieved without effort. Give someone a little and they will want more - some people are never satisfied.
Give someone enough Give someone enough time and rope and they will hang freedom and they will get into trouble. themselves. God helps those who help themselves. Good accounting makes You will keep your friends if you avoid good friends. disputes over money. Good and quickly A well-done job takes time. seldom meet. Good management is better than good income. Said when you express the same Great minds think alike. opinion as another person at the same time.
Great oaks grow from little acorns. Grief divided is made lighter H
Large successful operations can begin in a small way. If you share your grief it is easier to bear.
Half a loaf is better than You should be grateful for something, none. even if it's not as much as you wanted. Hard words break no bones. If something is done too quickly, it may Haste makes waste. be done carelessly and need to be redone. Hatred is a blind as A person who feels hatred does not see love. any qualities in the person he/she hates. He can who believes he If you believe you can do something,
can. He has enough who is content.
you will be able to do it. A happy person needs nothing more.
If you delay your decision too long, you He who hesitates is lost. may miss a good opportunity. He who is everywhere is It's not good to do too many things at nowhere. the same time. He who knows nothing, Knowledge leads us to make choices. doubts nothing. He who pays the piper The person who provides the money for calls the tune. something should control how it is spent He who plays with fire If you behave in a risky way, you are gets burnt. likely to have problems. He who wills the end If you are determined to do something wills the means. you will find a way.
He laughs best who Don't express your joy, or your triumph, laughs last. too soon! Health is better than It's better to be in good health than to wealth. be rich. Home is where the heart You call home the place where the is. people you love are. Honesty is the best It's always better to be honest. policy. Honey catches more You can obtain more cooperation from flies than vinegar. others by being nice. However long the night, Bad things don't last forever. the dawn will break All food tastes good when you are Hunger is a good sauce. hungry.
In times of prosperity I friends are plentiful. If a camel gets his nose in a tent, his body will follow. If in February there be no rain, 'tis neither good for hay nor grain. If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will avoid 100 days of sorrow. If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.
You have many friends when you have no difficulties. If you let something intrusive enter your life, your life will become difficult . Plants and crops will grow badly if there is no rain in early spring. Avoid regrets by taking time to think before speaking or acting angrily. If you try to do two things at the same time, you won't succeed in doing either of them.
When two people do something If two ride a horse, one together, one will be the leader must ride behind. and the other will be the subordinate. If you want a friend, be a friend. If wishes were horses, Wishing alone is of no use; you must then beggars would ride. act as well. Possible interpretation: What you do not Ignorance is bliss. know causes no worry or sadness. If you start something, it's better to In for a penny, in for a spend the time or money necessary to pound. complete it. In the land of the blind, A man of even limited ability has an the one-eyed man is advantage over a person who is less able. king.
It never rains but it Misfortunes usually come in large pours. numbers. It is always darkest The most difficult time is just before a before the dawn problem is solved. It's no use crying over Don't express regret for something that spilt milk. has happened and cannot be remedied. It takes all sorts to make People vary in character and abilities, a world. and this is a good thing. Justice delayed is J justice denied.
If the law is applied too late, there is no justice.
Knowledge in youth is K wisdom in age. Knowledge is power.
What you learn when you are young will be invaluable when you grow old. Knowledge makes it possible for you to
act. Kill one to warn a hundred. Kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Kindness begets kindness. Proverb Laughter is the best L medicine. Learn to walk before you run. Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.
Warn many by punishing a few. Destroy something that would be a source of wealth or success. If you are kind to people, they will be kind to you. Explanation / Meaning
Don't rush into doing something until you know how to do it. Education is something you keep forever.
Least said soonest The more discreet you are, the less mended. damage you cause. Let bygones be Let's forgive and forget past quarrels. bygones. Let not the sun go down Do not stay angry for more than one on your wrath. day. Let the chips fall where We should not try to control our destiny. they may. Liars need good People who do not tell the truth must be memories. careful to remember what they say. Lightning never strikes An unusual event is not likely to occur in the same place twice again in exactly the same circumstances. A son's character can be expected to Like father, like son. resemble his father's. Little strokes fell great If you divide a task into small parts, it
becomes easier to do. Consider possible consequences before Look before you leap. taking action. Disclosing important information ( to the enemy or a competitor) could result in Loose lips sink ships. large losses. Losers weepers, finders If you lose something you weep, if you keepers. find something you keep it. A person in love does not see the faults Love is blind. of the person he/she loves. oaks.
Make a silk purse out of Manage to produce something good M a sow's ear using poor material. Man is the head of the
family; woman is the neck that turns the head. Man proposes, God Our destiny depends on God's will. disposes. Possibly: a person's manners show Manners make the man. their origins. Many hands make light Sharing work makes work easier. work. Marry in haste, repent at If you get married too quickly, you may leisure. spend all your life regretting it. Memory is the treasure of the mind. Men make houses, women make homes.
Might as well be hanged If the penalty is going to be the same, for a sheep as (for) a you might as well commit the greater lamb offence. If you have money you can make more Money begets money. money. Money doesn't grow on You shouldn't waste money because it is trees. not plentiful. Money is the root of all Money is the main cause of wrongdoing evil. and problems. Necessity is the mother N of invention. Need teaches a plan. Never put off till tomorrow what can be
The need for something forces people to find a way of obtaining it. Necessity will make you find a solution. Don't postpone something you can do now.
done today Never say die. Nobody is perfect. No man can serve two masters. No man is an island.
Never give up.
It's impossible to follow instructions from two different sources. We all need other people. If the news was bad, we would hear of No news is good news. it. Since we have heard nothing, we can assume that all is well. There could be some truth in the No smoke without fire. rumour... No wind, no waves. Similar to : 'no smoke without fire'. Nothing ventured, You cannot expect to achieve anything nothing gained. if you don't take risks.
After an unpleasant experience, people O Once bitten, twice shy. are careful to avoid something similar. One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters. One good turn deserves You should be helpful to someone who another. helps you. One of these days is 'One of these days' remains vague. none of these days. One today is worth two What you have today is better than tomorrow. what is promised or hoped for. One man's meat is People don't always like the same another man's poison things. One man's trash is What is useless to one person could be another man's treasure. valuable to another.
One swallow doesn't A single satisfactory event does not make a summer. mean that all the others will be as good. Only real friends will tell you when your face is Only a real friend will tell you the truth. dirty. Opportunity seldom Don't miss opportunities that come knocks twice. along. Out of the mouths of Children often speak wisely. babes and sucklings Out of sight, out of We tend to forget people or things that mind. we do not see. P Patience is a virtue Penny wise, pound foolish.
It is good to be patient. Refers to a person who is careful about spending small amounts of money, but
not careful about spending large amounts of money. People who live in glass One should not criticize others for faults houses should not throw similar to one's own. stones. Poverty waits at the If you do not work you will not make gates of idleness. money. Doing something repeatedly is the only Practice makes perfect. way to become good at it. Practise what you Do yourself what you advise others to preach do. It is easier to prevent something from Prevention is better happening than to repair the damage or than cure cure the disease later.
Don't be too self-confident or proud; Pride comes before a something may happen to make you look fall. foolish. Procrastination is the Delaying an action for too long is a thief of time waste of time. Punctuality is the soul You should always be on time for your of business business appointments. Risk everything by relying on one plan Put all your eggs in one (by putting all one's money in one basket business). There is satisfaction in returning an R Revenge is sweet. injury. Rome was not built in a It takes a long time to do a job properly. day. You should not expect to do it quickly.
Save me from my S friends. Saying is one thing, doing is another. Short reckonings make long friends. Sickness in the body brings sadness to the mind.
Friends can be more dangerous than enemies. People don't always do what they announce. Debts paid quickly encourage friendship.
If you don't object to something it can be Silence gives consent. assumed that you agree with it. Snug as a bug in a rug. Feeling very comfortable. Spare the rod and spoil If you don't punish a child when he does the child wrong, you will spoil his character.
Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me Still waters run deep. A stitch in time saves nine
T
Physical attacks may harm me, but cruel words will not. A quiet person can have much knowledge or wisdom. It's better to deal with a problem in its early stages, because if you don't, it will get worse.
Stolen fruit is the sweetest.
What is forbidden is the most tempting.
Tall oaks grow from little acorns.
Great things may come from small beginnings.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The best advice is found on the pillow. The best things in life are free.
Children resemble their parents. After a good night's sleep we may find an answer to our problem. You don't have to pay for what is important : happiness, friendship, good health.
The darkest hour is just There is hope even in the worst of times. before dawn. The devil looks after his Success comes to those who deserve it own. least . The devil makes work People who have no work, or are idle, for idle hands often get into or make trouble. A decision has been made and it's The die is cast. impossible to change it.
The early bird catches the worm.
If you want to do something successfully, you should do it as soon as you can. Wrong or unfair methods may be used if the result of the action is good.
The end justifies the means. The first step is the The most difficult thing is to begin. hardest. The more haste, the A person makes more progress if they less speed. do things less quickly. The more you have, the People have a constant desire to more you want. possess more. The mouse that has but If you depend on just one thing, and it one hole is quickly fails you, you will have no alternatives. taken. The pen is mightier than Words and communication have greater
effect than war and fighting. The real value of something can be The proof of the judged only after it has been tried or pudding is in the eating. tested. The road to hell is It's not enough to intend to do paved with good something, you must actually do it. intentions. The tongue wounds Insults can be more hurtful than more than a lance. physical injuries. People speak more freely under the The truth is in the wine. influence of alcohol. The way to a man's heart is through his Feed a man well and he will love you. stomach. The wish is father to the You think that something is true the sword
thought. There is a black sheep in every flock. There is a trick in every trade. There is no fool like an old fool. There is safety in numbers Time and tide wait for no man. Time has wings. Time is money. To err is human, to
because you want it to be so. There is always one who doesn't behave or perform like the others. There is an established way of doing things. A older person is expected to behave more sensibly. Being in a crowd makes you feel more confident. Delaying a decision will not prevent events from taking place. Time goes by quickly. Time is valuable and should not be wasted. It is human nature to make mistakes,
forgive divine Too many cooks spoil the broth. (Humoristic version : Too many clicks spoil the browse!) Too much bed makes a dull head. True friends are tested in adversity. Trust not a horse's heel nor a dog's tooth. Truth has no answer. Truth is stranger than
therefore one should forgive. If too many people are involved in something, it will not be done properly. If you sleep too much, you are not able to think clearly. It's when you have problems that you realize who your real friends are. Be careful of the reaction of animals. You cannot argue against facts or refute what is true. Events in real life are sometimes
fiction. stranger than in fiction. Two wrongs don't make It is wrong to harm someone because a right they have harmed you. U Union is strength. Unwillingness easily finds an excuse.
V
A group has more force than an individual. A person who doesn't want to do something always finds a reason to avoid it.
Doing a lot of different things makes life more interesting. You should not expect praise for acting Virtue is its own reward. in a correct or moral way.
Variety is the spice of life.
W Walls have ears. Waste not, want not.
Be careful. People could be listening. If you never waste anything, you will have it when you need it.
What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't If a person doesn't know about grieve something, it cannot hurt them. over. What a man says drunk, People speak more freely under the he thinks sober. influence of alcohol. What soberness People are less discreet under the conceals, drunkenness influence of alcohol. reveals. When the cat's away, People misbehave when their boss, or the mice play. the person in authority, is absent. When in Rome, do as You should adopt the customs of the
the Romans do.
people or country you are visiting, and behave in the same way.
When poverty come in the door, love goes out the window. Where there's life there's hope. Where there's a will, A person with determination will find a there's a way. way of doing something. Who makes himself a Possible interpretation: an easily sheep will be eaten by influenced person can be mislead. the wolves. Wisdom is better than strength.
Wonders will never cease! Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow. Y You are what you eat.
Expresses surprise at an unexpected pleasure or event (ironic). Worrying over small details can make them seem worse. What you eat has an effect on your wellbeing.
You are never too old to learn. You can lead a horse to You can offer someone an opportunity water but you can't to do something but you can't force them. make it drink. You can't teach an old A person who is used to doing things a dog new tricks. certain way cannot change.
You never know what Try first before deciding not to do you can do until you try. something. You scratch my back You help me and I'll help you. and I'll scratch yours.
