essay on english proverbs

200+ Common Proverbs in English [with Meaning and Example]

• Figurative Language
• Published on Mar 25, 2018

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Proverbs and sayings are popular nuggets of wisdom, often in circulation for centuries and even millenniums. This post covers more than 200 common proverbs, each of which is followed by meaning and use in an example sentence.

If you’re looking for more proverbs and sayings, you can find plenty of them in the resource below. It contains proverbs on topics such as life, family, friends, love, health, happiness, money, hard work, time, time management, teamwork, leadership, business, education & learning, and more.

1. A bad workman always blames his tools.

This proverb is used when someone blames the quality of their equipment or other external factors when they perform a task poorly.

Example : X: The food isn’t cooked well because the oven is not functioning well. Y: Well, it’s the case of a bad workman blaming his tools.

2. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

Certainty of having something in hand is better than mere probability of having even more things.

Example : X: Why did you turn down that job offer when you don’t have anything concrete in hand at the moment? Y: Well, I’m confident I’ll land one of the two jobs I interviewed for last week. And they’re better than this one. X: In my opinion, you should’ve taken it. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

3. Absence makes heart grow fonder.

When we’re away from loved ones, we long for their company more than in normal times.

Example : When I was with him, he always fought with me, but now he cries for me on phone. I think distance made his heart grow fonder.

4. A cat has nine lives.

Cat can survive seemingly fatal events.

Example : I haven’t seen him in months, but I wouldn’t really worry about him. Everyone knows a cat has nine lives.

5. Action speaks louder than words.

Action is a better reflection of one’s character than words because it’s easy to say things, but difficult to act on them and follow through.

Example : The interviewee had an impressive resume, but he struggled to perform the task given during the interview. Actions speak louder than words, don’t they?

6. A diamond with a flaw is better than a common stone that is perfect.

A rare, precious opportunity that comes with some problems is better than a regular opportunity that seems to be perfect.

Example : I would advise you to work in a market that is growing fast than in a mature market. The former has its own problems, but that’s where you grow fast in your career. A diamond with a flaw is better than a common stone that is perfect.

7. A drowning man will clutch a straw.

When someone is in a difficult situation, s/he will take any available opportunity to come out of it.

Example : After trying all reliable medicines, he is now visiting quacks to get a cure for his baldness. A drowning man will clutch a straw.

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8. A fool and his money are soon parted.

Fools lose money because of their foolish conduct.

Example : He shared his credit card details on a phishing call and lost more than $10,000. A fool and his money are indeed parted sooner or later.

9. After victory, tighten your helmet chord.

There is no room for complacency. Get down to work after a victory. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, calls it Day 0 mentality.

Example : Our Company has won a major deal worth $600 M, but we can’t relax as many more deals are up for grabs, with the competition gnawing at our heels. After the victory, it’s time to tighten our helmet chord.

10. A good listener is a silent flatterer.

Human beings have an innate desire to be listened, but only few are good listeners. So, if you listen to someone attentively, you’ll flatter them.

Example : One of the reasons I could build such a network of friends is my ability to listen (more than speak) to people. A good listener is a silent flatterer, after all.

11. A goose quill is more dangerous than a lion’s claw.

Foul, inconsiderate words can cause more pain than a physical attack.

Example : Even when you’re angry, convey your point politely because a goose quill is more dangerous than a lion’s claw.

12. A happy heart is better than a full purse.

What’s the use of money if you’re unhappy despite loads of it? Happiness is better than plenty. A 2010 study at Princeton University points that happiness increases with money but only till basic needs are met. After that, money matters much less.

Example : My cousin is a multi-millionaire, but he is super-busy and stressed, with little time to spend time with his family. I guess a happy heart is better than a full purse.

13. A jack of all trades is master of none.

A person with some knowledge of several fields (jack of all trades) can’t be a master in any of them.

Example : You’ve hopped from marketing to sales to business development in your organization. That’s too many. A Jack of all trades is master of none.

14. A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.

Howsoever big a task is, it starts with a small step.

Example : I’m feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of completing 4,000-word paper by next week, but I guess I’ll start by writing 500 words every day. After all, a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.

15. A lean agreement is better than a fat lawsuit.

In disputes, it’s better to compromise and get only part of the potential outcome than to contest an expensive lawsuit for years, with no guarantee on the outcome.

Example : We often see two parties, especially companies, arrive at a compromise than contest the case in courts. They clearly understand that a lean agreement is better than a fat lawsuit.

16. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.

People can’t change their innate character, especially bad.

Example : X: Do you think he’ll stop copying after being caught and penalized? Y: I don’t think so. A leopard can’t change its spots.

17. All is fair in love and war.

One can break the rules of fair play under extenuating circumstances.

Example : In the face of cutthroat competition, some companies adopt unfair practices. To them, it seems all is fair in love and war.

18. All is well that ends well.

As long as the outcome is good, problems on the way don’t matter.

Example : I’m glad you finally got here, even though your car had a flat tire on the way. All’s well that ends well.

19. All lay loads on a willing horse.

A person who says ‘yes’, even if hesitatingly, to any work given to him will soon find himself overloaded with work.

Example : When I joined the company two years back, I was too polite to say ‘no’ to work people asked me to do, and soon I was buried under work. All lay loads on a willing horse.

20. All that glitters is not gold.

Things that look good outwardly may not be as valuable or good.

Example : X: I want to be a movie star when I grow up. Y: Film industry looks good from outside, but it has its own problems. Remember, all that glitters is not gold.

21. Among the blind, one-eyed man is king.

An incapable person can gain powerful position if others in the fray are even more incapable.

Example : Despite his obvious lack of exposure and skills, he became head of the department because he is one-eyed among the blind.

22. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Eating an apple a day will keep you healthy.

Example : Switch from chips to apples for your snack because an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

23. An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.

This proverb exemplifies importance of leadership. A strong army (lions) led by a weak leader (sheep) can lose to a weak army (sheep) led by a strong leader (lion).

Example : The next CEO hasn’t held any leadership position in a large organization. I hope the board doesn’t regret its decision because an army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.

24. An empty vessel makes much noise.

Fools and persons with shallow knowledge often talk a lot.

Example : He has only superficial understanding of the subject but talked the most in the meeting, without adding any value. Empty vessel makes much noise.

25. An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.

People are generally more productive in the morning: first, they’re fresh after night’s sleep; second, there are fewer distractions in the morning.

Example : I get up at 6:00 AM and get so much work done by the time I leave for office. I’m a living example of the dictum that an hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.

26. An idle brain is devil’s workshop.

If you’ve nothing to do, you’ll likely think of mischief.

Example : The kids should be kept busy during the summer break. Otherwise, you know an idle brain is devil’s workshop.

27. An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.

A little precaution before a crisis is better than lot of firefighting afterwards.

Example : Get the vaccination on priority. An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.

28. A picture is worth a thousand words.

It is easier to explain something through a picture than through words.

Example : It is easier to learn biology through pictures than through reams of text. A picture is worth a thousand words.

29. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

A person who is constantly changing his job and relationships won’t have depth in any of them and would be unfulfilled.

Example : You’re now in your third industry in the last eight years, which doesn’t make you an expert in any of them. Remember, a rolling stone gathers no moss.

30. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what a ship is for.

Get out of your comfort zone to grow and fulfill your potential.

Example : I think your fears are unfounded. You should travel to Italy for the Model UN. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot. Remember, a ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is for.

31. Ask no questions and hear no lies.

Don’t ask questions which people can’t or don’t want to answer. If you ask such questions, you’ll hear only lies.

Example : When I asked my neighbour why he comes early from office on some days, he, in a wishy-washy tone, said that on such occasions he finishes his work early. Before asking this question, I should have remembered: Ask no questions and hear no lies.

32. A stitch in time saves nine.

It’s better to deal with problems immediately than wait, by when they worsen and become much bigger.

Example : Because we anticipated and responded to the possible change in Facebook algorithm, the referral traffic to our website dropped much less than what happened to some of our competitors. A stitch in time saves nine.

33. As you sow, so you shall reap.

Your actions – good or bad – determine what you get.

Example : You’re entangled in few cases of fraud because of your illegal get-rich-quick methods. You should have known as you sow, so you shall reap.

34. A thing begun is half done.

A good beginning makes it easier to accomplish rest of the project.

Example : He has already taken the first set in the match, and he should win the match from here. Well begun is half done, after all.

35. A tree is known by its fruit.

Like a tree is known by the fruit it bears, people are known by their character and actions (and not by their appearance).

Example : I see that you avoid him just because he isn’t good looking. Remember, a tree is known by its fruit.

36. Barking dogs seldom bite.

People who appear threatening rarely do harm.

Example : X: I’m really scared to report delay in the project to my temperamental boss. Y: I don’t think you should worry too much about it. Barking dogs seldom bite.

37. Beauty is in the eye of beholder.

What may seem beautiful to one person may not seem to another.

Example : You may not like the curves of my new car, but then beauty is in the eye of beholder.

38. Beauty is only skin deep.

A person’s character, intellect, and other inner qualities are more important than his/her physical appearance.

Example : The actress behaved so rudely with the driver – beauty is skin deep, after all.

39. Beggars can’t be choosers.

People who depend on the generosity of others can’t pick & choose things as per their liking. They’ve to accept what is given to them.

Example : X: I borrowed this jacket from my friend, but it’s not one of his nice ones. Y: Well, beggars can’t be choosers.

40. Begin to weave and God will give the thread.

When taking up a task that has no playbook to follow, we plan a lot and think a lot but don’t act. In such pursuits, you can’t foresee everything in advance and lot of assumptions will come to naught. What’s required is action. Plan, but act. Often, new paths open as you move forward.

Example : The path to develop human colony on Mars is challenging, but people have already started work on it. Hopefully, things will move forward. If you begin to weave, God will give the thread.

41. Be slow in choosing, but slower in changing.

Choose things or people after diligence, but once you choose, stick for long.

Example : Don’t be hasty in picking friends, but once you make friends with someone, don’t change him/her fast. You should be slow in choosing, but slower in changing.

42. Best things in life are free.

Most valuable things are often free.

Example : I feel so rejuvenated in clean air, sparkling water, and beautiful nature of the mountains. Often times, best things in life are free.

43. Better late than never.

It is better to get something (you desire) late than get it never.

Example : I’m attending graduate school at 35, but I guess it’s better late than never.

44. Better to be poor and healthy than rich and sick.

Health is more important than money.

Example : The pharma tycoon has been in and out of hospital for the past two months because of kidney ailment. It’s better to be poor and healthy than rich and sick.

45. Birds of a feather flock together.

People with similar nature seek out each other’s company.

Example : You usually hang out with people with background similar to yours. Birds of a feather flock together, after all.

46. Blood is thicker than water.

Relationships with family is stronger than other relationships.

Example : My friends invited me for the picnic on Sunday, but I have to go to my cousin’s birthday instead. Blood is thicker than water, isn’t it?

47. Clothes do not make a man.

A person’s character can’t be judged by his/her clothing and outward appearance.

Example : X: I can’t believe he has been charged for insider trading. He always seemed so professional and impeccable. Y: Well, clothes don’t make a man.

48. Cowards die many times before their death.

Cowards suffer the feared effects of death many times in their lives.

Example : X: He is constantly worried about losing his job, and I don’t think he’ll pursue his true interests. Y: He exemplifies the saying ‘cowards die many times before their deaths’.

49. Cross the stream where it is shallowest.

Do things in the easiest possible way.

Example : Let’s cross the stream at its shallowest and start promoting our product on YouTube, where we already have some following.

50. Curiosity killed the cat.

Enquiring into others’ work can be dangerous. One should mind own business.

Example : I know curiosity killed the cat, but I can’t stop investigating until I know where the donations are actually going.

51. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost.

The consequence of wrongdoings always catches up with the wrongdoer.

Example : Politicians can fool some people some of the time, but in the end, chickens come home to roost when votes are counted.

52. Different strokes for different folks.

Different people have different needs and wants, and we should be respectful to them.

Example : Because people differ in their tastes and habits, I try to provide different strokes for different folks when I invite my friends to my place.

53. Discretion is the better part of valor.

It is wise to be careful and not show unnecessary bravery.

Example : Son: Can I go for this mountaineering expedition? Father: No. Son: But my friends will say I’m a chicken if I don’t go! Father: Discretion is the better part of valor, and I’d rather have them call you chicken than risk your life.

54. Do as you would be done by.

Treat others like the way you would like to be treated. Some people, for example, ingratiate themselves with the powerful but treat less powerful with contempt. Don’t be like them.

Example : You shouldn’t have been rude to him. How would you feel if someone behaves the same way to you? You should do as you would be done by.

55. Doctors make the worst patients.

It’s difficult to advice a person on a matter in which he is an expert. This is because he thinks that he already knows the best about what to do.

Example : When I tried to advice my friend on how to increase revenue from his gas station, he argued why my suggestions wouldn’t work. He was clearly jumping the gun and not open to ideas. Doctors make the worst patients.

56. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

Don’t act badly toward the person who has helped you or from whom you derive some benefits, for you may lose those benefits in future.

Example : Don’t bite the hand that feeds you by talking ill of your mentor for such a small thing. If he distances from you or talk bad about you, it can hurt you bad.

57. Don’t carry coals to Newcastle.

In the past, Newcastle was known for its coal mines. Coal was mined here and taken to other parts of England. So, if you carry coal to Newcastle, you’re doing unnecessary work.

Example : When asked in the interview how you can make difference in your role, stay clear of the topic of SEO. They’re already industry leader in it, and you shouldn’t carry coals to Newcastle.

58. Don’t cast pearls before swine.

Don’t offer something valuable to someone who doesn’t value it.

Example : To serve them French cuisine is like casting pearls before swine.

59. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Don’t make plans based on future events that may not happen.

Example : You’re preparing for election campaign when you have not yet been nominated. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

60. Don’t cross the bridge till you come to it.

Deal with a situation when it happens and not unnecessarily worry about it in advance.

Example : I know you’re worried about the mortgage payment due in January, but don’t cross the bridge till you come to it.

61. Don’t empty the water jar until the rain falls.

Don’t quit something, say a job, before securing its replacement.

Example : After getting an average review in his annual performance appraisal, my friend left the organization without landing another job, and then he struggled to get another for several months. Don’t empty the water jar until the rain falls.

62. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Just like you can’t form an opinion of a book just by looking at its cover, you can’t form an opinion about someone (or something) from their outward appearance.

Example : He seems a bit jerk to me, but, hey, you never know. He may be good. You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

63. Don’t kill the goose that lays golden eggs.

If you kill a goose that lays golden eggs, you destroy something that makes lot of money for you.

Example : Tourists come to this city mainly to see this monument. By opening it to commercial use, the city council may kill the goose that lays golden eggs.

64. Don’t open a shop unless you know how to smile.

It’s difficult to attract customers without a pleasant persona.

Example : Since my friend has a neutral, if not cold, demeanour, I advised him not to open a shop unless he learns how to smile.

65. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Don’t put all your effort into a single course of action, venture, investment, goal, or the like, because if it doesn’t work, you lose everything.

Example : Almost entire revenue of the company comes from Facebook. If Facebook tweaks its policies in future, the company may sink. They shouldn’t put all their eggs in the same basket.

66. Don’t think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm.

Everything calm and peaceful doesn’t mean there are no dangers around.

Example : Even though the industry looks stable with predictable market share and revenue, there are always obscure start-ups which may threaten your company in future. Don’t think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm.

67. Don’t throw the baby with the bathwater.

Don’t discard something valuable while getting rid of something worthless.

Example : Let’s not throw the baby with the bathwater by scrapping the project for a subpart not planned well.

68. Eagles don’t catch flies.

Eagles catch bigger prey than flies, don’t they? Don’t take trivial matters to senior leaders in your organization. You have to resolve them, not they.

Example : You shouldn’t call the AVP for such small disruption in the supply chain. Resolve it yourself. Eagles, after all, don’t catch flies.

69. Early bird catches the worm.

One who starts early on the work has higher chance of success.

Example : I’ve come early for the season-ending sale so that I can choose from a wider selection and get a better piece. Early bird catches the worm, after all.

70. Empty bags can’t stand upright.

A poor or hungry person cannot discharge his duties well.

Example : You can’t expect poor people to fight for climate change, because empty bags can’t stand upright. They need to first fulfill their basic needs.

71. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Bad times will eventually give way to better times. (The presence of silver lining means that the sun is behind the cloud and will eventually emerge.)

Example : I know your business has suffered few setbacks this season. But remember, every cloud has a silver lining.

72. Every dog has his day.

Even the unluckiest or the most unfortunate will taste success at some point.

Example : Are you surprised that John, the laggard, has got 92 percent marks in math? Well, every dog has his day.

73. Every horse thinks its own pack is heaviest.

We think that we work the hardest. This is also called responsibility bias: People tend to overvalue their own contributions and undervalue contributions of others.

Example : X: You’re questioning my contribution! I’m the one who has worked the hardest on this project. I haven’t taken a day’s leave in six months. Y: Every horse thinks its own pack heaviest.

74. Every tub must stand on its own bottom.

We can’t hide incompetency behind teamwork. Everyone has to justify their expense.

Example : The manager has singled out my team member for unsatisfactory work in the current project. Message was clear: Every tub must stand on its own bottom.

75. Fall seven times; stand up eight.

Be resilient and try despite failures. That’s how you succeed.

Example : Abraham Lincoln lost so many elections, but he kept trying. Eventually he became the President of United States. It’s rightly said: Fall seven times; stand up eight.

76. Familiarity breeds contempt.

If you know a situation, person, or thing well, you start taking them for granted and stop respecting them.

Example : The reason for many breakups and disasters can be traced to contempt bred by familiarity.

77. Faults are thick where love is thin.

If the love is shallow, people will find faults in each other.

Example : We occasionally overhear accusations and counter-accusations coming from the neighboring family. Faults are thick where love is thin.

78. Fine feathers make fine birds.

Like birds with colorful feathers look attractive, people in fine clothes look appealing. However, don’t get swayed by external appearance when making friends.

Example : X: The person I’ve just been introduced to, no doubt, looks attractive.

Y: Why wouldn’t he? Fine feathers make fine birds, after all. But you shouldn’t go by attractiveness when making friends.

79. Flattery, like perfume, should be smelled but not swallowed.

Enjoy the flattery you receive, but don’t believe it because people often flatter to meet their own selfish interests.

Example : I know he was all praise for your business acumen, but don’t take his words literally as this guy needs business from us. Flattery, like perfume, should be smelled but not swallowed.

80. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Fools or inexperienced persons get involved in situations or pursue goals without much thought. In contrast, wise think through such situations or goals.

Example : He sent an angry email without going into the background of the matter – fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

81. Fortune favors the brave.

If you carry out your plans boldly, luck is more likely to favor you.

Example : I know you’re hesitant to accept the overseas position in your company because ground realities there are different from what you’ve faced so far, but remember fortune favors the brave.

82. For want of a nail the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost.

An insignificant nail resulted in the loss of the rider. Small things can have huge implications. So, don’t ignore nuances and minute details. They’re the ones that stand people out.

Example : Because of malfunction in a tiny component, the entire batch of 120,000 air conditioners had to be recalled. For want of a nail the shoe is lost… the rider is lost.

83. Get out while the going (getting) is good.

Get out of a situation while it’s still easy to leave on good terms.

Example : With the stock market at an all-time high and further upside looking difficult, we decided to sell our shares and get out while the going was good.

84. God helps those who help themselves.

God helps those who make sincere effort.

Example : You’ve to take the bull by horns and try getting a new job. God helps those who help themselves.

85. Good bargains empty the purse.

Good bargains can be tempting and entice people into buying more than required, most of which can even go unused.

Example : I bought three trousers and four shirts for 30 percent discount, even though I don’t need them. Good bargains indeed empty the purse.

86. Good swimmers are often drowned.

Overconfidence can doom even the competent.

Example : Kodak overlooked the prospect of digital photographs replacing its camera films. As a result, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2012 after more than 120 years in existence. Good swimmers are often drowned.

87. Good things come to those who wait.

Patience is often rewarded.

Example : The best investors in the world have made their fortunes by investing for the long term. Good things come to those who wait.

88. Good wine needs no bush.

A good product doesn’t need promotion; it spreads through word of mouth.

Example : Stripe, a financial services firm, grew mainly through word of mouth. Good wine needs no bush.

89. Grief divided is made lighter.

If you share your grief, it’ll get easier to bear.

Example : You shouldn’t hold back the news of financial loss you’ve incurred in your business. Grief divided is made lighter.

90. Half a loaf is better than none.

We should thank for what we get even though it’s less than what we had hoped for.

Example : I applied to six colleges and got admission in my second choice. Not ideal but it could have been worse. Half a loaf is better than no bread.

91. Home is where the heart is.

Don’t you feel relieved on reaching home after you’ve been away for few days? No matter where you visit, you’ll long to return to your home and family.

Example : I’ve been out of the town on work for only three days now, and I’m already longing to get back home. I guess, home is where the heart is.

92. Honesty is the best policy.

It’s always better to be truthful and honest, even if the opposite may get you short-term benefits.

Example : I think you should just explain what happened, rather than trying to cover your tracks. Honesty is the best policy, after all.

93. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Be optimistic, but be prepared for a scenario where things can go wrong.

Example : We’re hoping to raise capital from investors, but it may not come so soon. Therefore, it’s imperative to look for alternatives as well. Let’s hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

94. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

If things were to happen by just wishing them, even the poorest will have everything they want.

Example : X: I want to be in a job that would pay me a million dollars a year. Y: If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Stop fooling yourself and work hard towards your goal.

95. If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will escape hundred days of sorrow.

Actions and decisions taken in moments of anger aren’t the best. They can bring great misery. Wait for your anger to pass and then act or decide.

Example : The customer representative was upset at the illegitimate demand of the customer, but he remained calm and patient because he knew that if you are patient… sorrow.

96. If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly.

Something cheap will be of suspect quality and will trouble you later in the form of higher maintenance and/or poor performance.

Example : I bought the air conditioner at quite an attractive price, but it’s running a high electricity bill because it’s not very efficient. Moreover, it requires more maintenance. If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly.

97. If you can’t beat them, join them.

If you can’t beat your opponent, then work alongside them for mutual benefit.

Example : ABC Pvt. Ltd. has struck partnership with its competitor after it failed to gain market share. If you can’t beat them, join them.

98. If you play with fire, you’ll get burned.

If you do something dangerous or adventurous, you may get harmed.

Example : Enacting the stunts of movie superheroes in real life is playing with fire. You may get burned.

99. If you want peace, prepare for war.

If you utilize the peace time to get better at war, your adversaries will hesitate in waging a war on you, and hence the time of peace will stretch.

Example : We’re in a competitive industry. Therefore, we should use this time of high growth and less competition (time of peace, in other words) to shore up capital, diversify, invest in revenue streams of future, and hire good talent. If you want peace, prepare for war.

100. If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Working with others may be somewhat slow compared to solo work, but you’ll need to collaborate if you want long-term success because you can’t do everything yourself.

Example : If you want to grow your business and sustain it over the long term, build a team. If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

101. Ignorance is bliss.

If you don’t know about something, you don’t need to bother about it. In other words, if you’re unaware of something, it won’t cause you stress. This proverb, however, is often used in the opposite way – ignorance is not bliss.

Example : I didn’t know that the neighbor next door was involved in criminal activities. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

102. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Words of flattery may not be sincere. But action (imitation) is sincere. Who wouldn’t be flattered if someone imitates them in some way?

Example : In the conference, the Twitter influencer with more than a million followers was told by a follower that he has amassed more than 20,000 followers by following influencer’s advice. The influencer was extremely happy to hear that. Imitation, after all, is the sincerest form of flattery.

103. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

It’s better to be cautious than regret later.

Example : One shouldn’t complain about the inconvenience of security check each time you enter the building. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

104. It’s better to lose the battle and win the war.

It’s fine to lose small things if it helps you win the big pie.

Example : I climbed down from my position before the friendly argument could heat up, and we all parted amicably. It’s better to lose the battle and win the war.

105. It is easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general.

Leaders are not easy to find. Retain them at whatever price it takes if you’ve them.

Example : The Vice President was all set to leave Google and lead Twitter, but Google somehow convinced him not to leave as it knew that it’s easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general.

106. It’s never too late to mend.

It’s never too late to change course or make amends for a past mistake. Don’t let your ego come in between.

Example : I think it was your fault, and you should be the one to say sorry and make up with your estranged brother. It’s never too late to mend.

107. It is part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it.

People shouldn’t be subjected to discomfort beyond tolerance.

Example : The government raised taxes last year and shouldn’t raise them again. It is part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it.

108. It takes a village to raise a child.

It takes an entire community to raise children in safe and nourishing environment.

Example : Lionesses in a pride take care of cubs of other lionesses. Doesn’t it take a village to raise a child?

109. It takes two to make a quarrel.

Without involvement of at least two persons, a quarrel won’t happen. So, if one of the two persons decide, a quarrel won’t happen.

Example : X: Why are you so quarrelsome? Y: I’m not the only person involved. It takes two to make a quarrel.

110. It takes two to tango.

Where two parties are involved in a situation, fault usually lies with both if things go wrong. Rarely can one party be blamed entirely.

Example : This deal won’t go through unless you too are willing to compromise. It takes two to tango, after all.

111. Justice delayed is justice denied.

In many countries, wheels of justice move so slow that sometimes it takes decades to pronounce a judgment. This causes suffering in terms of time and money wasted and the long wait for justice.

Example : Verdict in the landgrab case has come after twelve long years. To contest the case, the victim had to sell off his land. Justice delayed is justice denied.

112. Kind words will unlock an iron door.

If you talk politely, people are more amenable to your suggestions and ask.

Example : The government officer was quite cold to my father but did the job when I made a polite request. Kind words can unlock an iron door.

113. Kings have long arms.

Governments have far-reaching powers.

Example : After committing the fraud, the tycoon fled to another country, but the government pulled all levers to get him extradited. Kings indeed have long arms.

114. Laughter is the best medicine.

Laughter reduces stress and improves immunity, leading to better health.

Example : I think the best thing for you right now would be to spend some time with people you can joke around with. Laughter is the best medicine, after all.

115. Learn to walk before you run.

Learn basic skills first before venturing into complex things.

Example : X: I want to submit my first article to Fortune magazine for publication. Y: I think you should aim for smaller publications to start with. You should learn to walk before you run.

116. Least said, soonest mended.

When you fall out with someone, restrain yourself from using foul, upsetting language. Words can leave a lasting impression and make it difficult to reconcile.

Example : When the argument heated up with my friend, I deescalated the matter, excused myself, and walked away. Least said, soonest mended.

117. Lend your money and lose your friend.

Lending money to a friend can lead to souring of friendship. If you ask to repay, he may feel offended, and if he fails to repay, you’ll be offended.

Example : I don’t like calling up Tom any longer for regular chitchats after he failed to return the money I lent three months back. Lend your money and lose your friend, I guess.

118. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Don’t talk about a bad situation people have forgotten and that could unnecessarily create problem in the present.

Example : X: Should I ask the professor if he is upset about my late submission of the assignment? Y: If he hasn’t said anything, then don’t bring forth the topic – let sleeping dogs lie.

119. Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.

Misfortune does not occur twice in the same way to the same person.

Example : X: I don’t want to take this route, because I was robbed the last time I travelled on this route. Y: Don’t worry, lightning never strikes twice in the same place.

120. Like people, like priest.

Quality of people is a good indicator of the quality of their leader. We expect our bureaucracy, politicians, and other leaders to be impeccable. But they don’t descend from heavens. They come from the very people they represent, and hence their quality will be reflective of the quality of people.

Example : As a society, we’re becoming more and more insensitive, self-centered, and apathetic on matters of public importance. Little wonder, our leaders too aren’t first rate. Like people, like priest.

121. Long absent, soon forgotten.

If you haven’t met or spoken to a friend or relative in long time, he’ll be forgotten. Such friendships eventually wither away or may just remain a distant acquaintance.

Example : I haven’t spoken to my college friend in years, and now I don’t even like to make the call. I guess I’ve moved on. Long absent, soon forgotten.

122. Look before you leap.

Consider all consequences before taking an action, especially when you can’t retract.

Example : X: I’m planning to pursue an MBA. Y: It’s an expensive degree and, moreover, you’ll be out of work for two years. I would say look before you leap.

123. Love me, love my dog.

If you love someone, then you should love them as they come with their qualities, shortcomings, friends, family, and so on.

Example : If you love her, then you should love her family and friends as well. Love me, love my dog. Isn’t it?

124. Make hay while the sun shines.

Make the most of favorable conditions till they last.

Example : I got plenty of referral traffic to my website from Facebook in its initial years. I made hay while the sun shone. Later on, they changed their algorithm, after which the referral traffic dried.

125. Make yourself all honey and the flies will devour you.

If you’re a yes-man and often talk sweet language to please others, people won’t respect you.

Example : X: This guy tries to keep everyone in good humor and will change his stand just for that. Y: True. That’s why people treat him with contempt. Make yourself all honey and the flies will devour you.

126. Money doesn’t grow on trees.

Spend money carefully because it’s limited. You can’t grow it on trees and replenish.

Example : I’m surprised that you spent your entire month’s salary on a frivolous gadget. Well, money doesn’t grow on trees.

127. Money talks.

Money gives one power and influence.

Example : I don’t have access to many people like he has, after all he is a scion of a rich family. Money talks, you know.

128. More die of food than famine.

More people die because of excess indulgence in food and eating unhealthy than because of shortage of food.

Example : You shouldn’t eat unhealthy snacks so regularly. Remember, more die of food than famine.

129. Murder will out.

Secrets rarely remain secret. They’ll eventually come out and be known to all.

Example : I tried my best to not let my organization know that I’m searching for another job, but, to my embarrassment, one of my teammates has come to know. It’s rightly said murder will out.

130. Necessity is the mother of invention.

A need or problem forces people to come up with innovative solutions.

Example : In some parts of the world, farmers use washing machine to clean potatoes. Necessity, after all, is the mother of invention.

131. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

Don’t delay doing something if you can do it immediately.

Example : X: I’m done with most of my assignment, but I’ll pick the remaining part on Monday. Y: Why don’t you complete it now? You’ll be more relieved and in a better state of mind. You shouldn’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

132. Never test the depth of water with both feet.

If you’re testing the depth of water with both feet down, you risk being drowned if the water turns out to be deep. But if you test with one foot, you can pull away. The proverb means that before going whole hog into something unknown, assess the risk well.

Example : Before investing such large sum in crypto and taking a hit, I should’ve first invested a small amount or talked to experts. One should never test the depth of water with both feet.

133. Night brings counsel.

If you have a difficult problem to solve or an important decision to make, a good night’s sleep will work wonders.

Example : Thinking over and over again about the problem isn’t leading to a solution. Why don’t you just sleep over the problem? Sometimes, night brings counsel.

134. No gain without pain.

To succeed in one’s pursuits, it is necessary to work hard and sacrifice pleasures.

Example : You’ve to drastically reduce the time you spend on video games and TV if you want to get admission in a good college. No gain without pain.

135. No news is good news.

If you don’t receive any news about someone or something, it means that everything is fine and going normally.

Example : My daughter has been working in Australia for nearly five years now. At first, I used to get worried when I didn’t hear from her, but now I know that no news is good news.

136. Oaks may fall when reeds stand the storm.

Those who are flexible and relatively insignificant can survive a crisis that brings down powerful who are unable or unwilling to adapt.

Example : In mass extinction events such as the one in which dinosaurs became extinct, large animals, which need plenty of food, go extinct first. Oaks may fall when reeds stand the storm.

137. Once bitten twice shy.

A person won’t do something a second time because he/she had bad experience the first time.

Example : I won’t try this drink, because last time I had a burning sensation in my throat. Once bitten twice shy, I guess.

138. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

What may seem to be junk to one person maybe valuable to another.

Example : I sold my 6-year-old laptop for little amount, but I’m sure the buyer will make hefty profit on it by refurbishing and selling it to someone else. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, after all.

139. Pen is mightier than sword.

Thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than use of force.

Example : After the mass killings at the newspaper office, there is a protest which is happening in the city declaring support to the paper, proving that pen is mightier than sword.

140. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones at others.

People who have some shortcomings shouldn’t criticize others for having the same shortcomings.

Example : The main political party in the opposition has blamed the ruling party for giving tickets to people with dubious background in the upcoming elections. But the big question is that are they themselves clean on this count? People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones at others.

141. Persuasion is better than force.

You can achieve better results through persuasion than through coercion.

Example : After many futile attempts by the government, farmers finally agreed to acquisition of their land on the promise of economic development of the area. That’s why it is said persuasion is better than force.

142. Politeness costs little but yields much.

Speaking politely costs no more than speaking rudely, but it can yield much more by making friends.

Example : All things equal, few deals went my way – and not my competitor’s – because of my polite and pleasant demeanour. Politeness costs little but yields much.

143. Practice makes perfect.

Doing something over and over makes one better at it.

Example : You can’t expect to master guitar in two months. You’ve to keep at it for several months, as practice makes perfect.

144. Practice what you preach.

Behave the way you encourage others to behave.

Example : You keep telling us to go for a jog in the morning, but I wish you practice what you preach.

145. Rich man’s joke is always funny.

People agree with and flatter rich people to be in good books with them.

Example : The rich kid in my college was always surrounded by classmates who were overzealous to flatter him and keep him in good humor. A rich man’s joke is always funny.

146. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Important work takes time to complete.

Example : You can’t expect her to finish such a complex project in a week. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

147. Shrouds have no pockets.

We arrived in this world without anything, and we’ll leave without anything.

Example : What will you do with all the money you’re accumulating at the cost of a peaceful, happy life? As far as I know, shrouds have no pockets.

148. Silence is half consent.

If you don’t object to what someone says or does, you may be assumed to agree to some extent.

Example : He didn’t say anything to my proposal of going for a picnic on the weekend. I believe he is not saying ‘no’. Silence is half consent.

149. Slow and steady wins the race.

Slow and consistent work leads to better chance of success than quick work in spurts.

Example : X: I’ve built a strong vocabulary by learning a word a day for the last three years. Y: Mine has been much less, even though I’ve had days when I polished off ten words. I guess slow and steady wins the race.

150. Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

If you work only on regular projects, you won’t be challenged and hence not become better at what you do. So, volunteer into few challenging projects as well.

Example : In my new project, I’m leading the team that will launch a new product, an experience, I believe, will provide a steep learning curve. After all, smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

151. Still water runs deep.

If a person doesn’t speak much, it doesn’t mean they lack depth or are uninteresting.

Example : She may not talk much, but she is one of the smartest persons in the organization. Still water runs deep.

152. Strike while the iron is hot.

Take advantage of an opportunity before it extinguishes.

Example : I thought over the job offer way too long. Now it has been offered to someone else. I should have struck while the iron was hot.

153. The course of true love never did run smooth.

True love goes through ups and downs.

Example : Romeo and Juliet went through lot of trials and tribulations in their love. The course of true love, it seems, never did run smooth.

154. The family that (eats) prays together stays together.

The family that gets together regularly to pray or eat is more close-knit than the family that doesn’t.

Example : Our grandfather ensured that all family members come together, howsoever busy they may be, at least once a week for dinner, which likely was the reason why our family was so close-knit. The family that (eats) prays together stays together.

155. The grass is greener on the other side of fence.

People are never satisfied with their own situation; they always think others have it better.

Example : X: When I see him post all those travel pictures on Instagram, I feel he has the perfect life. Y: It’s usually not like that in real life. I’m sure he too has his share of problems. I see your thought as grass being greener on the other side of the fence.

156. The harder you work, the luckier you get.

The harder you work, the more ideas and chances you may make for yourself.

Example : Many think he got lucky in getting that fat contract, but few know he had been pursuing dozens of such contracts for several weeks – the harder you work, the luckier you get.

157. The higher the monkey climbs the more he shows his tail.

The higher an incompetent person rises in an organization, the more his incompetence is exposed.

Example : After the recent promotion, the official, who somehow rose in ranks despite lack of merit, now headed a much larger department. As a result, his incompetence was now exposed to far more people. The higher the monkey climbs the more he shows his tail.

158. The highest branch is not the safest roost.

Those in the highest positions can be vulnerable as many aspire to replace them. Second, if the person is replaced, it’s not easy to find a similar position because of paucity of roles at the top.

Example : In earlier times, kings used to be on their guard all the time, suspicious of plots to overthrow them. The highest branch is not the safest roost, after all.

159. The longest way around is the shortest way home.

If you want to achieve the desired quality, work diligently and carefully and not cut corners.

Example : The earlier software contractor wrote a bloated, shoddy code that now needs to be rewritten. It should have been done more thoughtfully. The longest way around is the shortest way home.

160. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

If you deviate from the norm, you’ll face resistance, even hostile reaction in extreme case.

Example : In government, where rule-based work is norm, the nail that sticks out usually gets hammered down.

161. The only free cheese is in the mousetrap.

There rarely are completely free offers; they come attached with hooks. So, beware of such offers.

Example : The film actor got a 4-day stay at heavy discount at a premium hotel in Maldives, but later they used her pictures to promote the hotel. The only free cheese is in the mousetrap.

162. The proof of pudding is in eating.

You can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it.

Example : X: Marketers have claimed that this weight loss diet produces strong results in just two months. Y: Well, I’ll reserve my opinion till I’ve tried it myself. After all, proof of pudding is in the eating.

163. There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.

We all want peace and happiness in life, and there are multiple ways of achieving this goal. However, many get so tunnel-focused that they fail to see paths other than their current job, which may ironically be hurting their pursuit of happiness. So, once in a while, take a step back and reflect.

Example : You’re overworked and stressed in your current job. I would suggest you explore other options, for there are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.

164. There are more ways than one to skin a cat.

There is more than one way to reach the same goal.

Example : We can get around that by renting instead of buying the delivery van – there’s more than one way to skin a cat.

165. There is no time like the present.

The best time to do something is right now. So, act now.

Example : Don’t wait until New Year to change your bad habits. There’s no time like the present.

166. There is truth in wine.

People when drunk speak truth, often unwittingly.

Example : I got to know quite a few secrets last night from my friend Tom after he got drunk. There certainly is truth in wine.

167. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Good intention doesn’t not matter if a person’s actions lead to bad outcomes.

Example : X: Well, I was only trying to be helpful by mixing those two acids. Y: But it exploded! Well, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

168. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

People who complain the most are the ones who get attention or what they want.

Example : If you’re not satisfied with the service at the hotel, then you should call up the manager there. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, after all.

169. The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet tall.

We should avoid foul, inconsiderate language because it can leave lasting scars and dent relationships forever.

Example : The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet high. It did in my case as I lost my friend forever when, in a fit of anger, I used quite harsh language with him, even dragging his friends and family.

170. Time and tide wait for no man.

You’ve no control over passage of time; it’ll keep slipping. So don’t procrastinate, don’t delay things.

Example : We need to decide fast about buying the property at this price. Time and tide wait for no man.

171. To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.

Many take up a job or project they later hate, wasting precious years. This can be avoided if you ask few who’ve undertaken the same job or project about their experience.

Example : I could’ve made a more informed career choice if I had asked few senior software engineers the nuts & bolts of the job at various stages of the career. To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.

172. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

When too many people work together on a project, the result is inferior.

Example : This proposal has received feedback from too many parliamentary committees, and that’s probably the reason why it lacks clear action items. I’ve no doubt that too many cooks spoil the broth.

173. Two heads are better than one.

Two persons have a better chance to solve a problem than one.

Example : More startups have two cofounders than one. That’s because they very well understand that two heads are better than one.

174. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

You shouldn’t harm a person who has harmed you, even if you think that person deserves it.

Example : Just because he insulted you doesn’t mean it’s OK for you to start a rumor about him – two wrongs don’t make a right.

175. What can you expect from a pig but a grunt?

What can you expect from a bad character but foul and rough language?

Example : X: My neighbour quarreled with me and used abusive language over such a small issue. Y: What can you expect from a pig but a grunt?

176. When a twig grows hard, it is difficult to twist it.

A person can be moulded when young but not when he has grown up. So, one should inculcate good values in children while they’re still young.

Example : Your son doesn’t take responsibility when he fails at something. You must take corrective action now, for when a twig grows hard, it is difficult to twist it.

177. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

When visiting a foreign land, follow the customs of local people.

Example : I don’t love cotton candy, but we are at a carnival. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?

178. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

When conditions become difficult, strong people take action.

Example : I know you’re not used to climbing at such heights, but come on when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

179. Where there’s will, there’s way.

If you are determined enough, you can find a way to achieve what you want, even if it is difficult.

Example : He had little resources to start his business, but he eventually did through a small opening – blog. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

180. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

If there are rumors or signs that something is true, there must be some truth in it.

Example : X: Do you believe those rumors about the mayor? Y: Well, you know what they say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

181. While the cat is away, the mice will play.

Without supervision, people will do as they please, especially in disregarding or breaking rules.

Example : As soon as their parents left, the children invited all their friends over – when the cat’s away, you know.

182. Why buy a cow when milk is so cheap?

Why take the trouble of investing in a cow and then maintaining it when you can simply buy milk far cheaply? You should avoid buying unnecessary assets when you can do with far cheaper options.

Example : Why buy a vehicle when we can get one on rent? Why buy a cow when milk is so cheap?

183. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

Sometimes, you have employees for specific job, but someone else ends up doing that job. That’s a waste.

Example : The company has hired a designer to bring uniformity and quality in design, but some of the divisions are still designing their own stuff. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

184. Words must be weighed, not counted.

Word count doesn’t matter. What matters is how effective they’re.

Example : Your report is quite voluminous, and it contains lot of superfluous stuff. Kindly revise it. Words must be weighed, not counted.

185. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

It’s easier to win people to your side by persuasion and politeness than by confrontation and threats.

Example : X: The courier service has taken more time to deliver than they had promised. I want to take the issue up with them and get a refund. Y: I would suggest you deal with them politely. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

186. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

You can show people the way to do things, but you can’t force them to act.

Example : X: He has received all the resources one needs to start a business, but even after six months I don’t see anything happening. Y: Well, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

187. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

If you have your cake and eat it too, you get two things that are normally impossible to get simultaneously.

Example : If you want more local services, you can’t expect to pay less tax. Well, you can’t have your cake and eat it.

188. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.

It is hard to achieve something important without causing unpleasant effects.

Example : If I don’t slash salaries, the company is going to go bankrupt. It’\’s unfortunate, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.

189. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

People who have long been used to doing things in a particular way will not abandon their habits to learn something new.

Example : I bet you can’t get him to wake at 5 AM and go out for a walk. It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

190. You do not fatten a pig by weighing it.

This proverb is quoted by opponents of too much testing. Weighing a pig won’t fatten it. Altering its diet would. Similarly, testing kids in school multiple times won’t improve their performance in a particular subject. What’s required is an elaborate system to work on students’ weak areas.

Example : Most private coaching centres for entrance exams hold not only regular tests but also elaborate doubt-clearing sessions. They clearly understand that you can’t fatten a pig by only weighing it.

191. You show me the man, and I’ll show you the rule.

Rules change depending on how powerful the person likely to be affected by the rules is.

Example : X: He has been treated leniently by the police. Y: That’s why they say – you show me the man and I’ll show you the rule.

192. Hunger drives the wolf out of the wood.

Like hunger forces the wolf out of the wood to seek food elsewhere, necessity forces poor to take up unpleasant tasks, sometimes in violation of law.

Example : With growing income disparities in the society, government must strengthen its skilling program for the unemployed and improve welfare programs for the poor. Otherwise, hunger will drive the wolf out of the wood.

193. A house divided cannot stand.

Prosperity and success come when a country, society, institution, or family stand united on issues and work together.

Example : Opposition parties are opposing the government even on the issue of national security, where we must stand united. A house divided cannot stand.

194. Until the lions produce their own historian, the story of the hunt will glorify only the hunter.

History is written by the victors, and they, naturally, glorify themselves.

Example : Tom: Some of the portrayals in history are overly rosy and superhuman, and some are downright villainous.

Jerry: Until the lions produce their own historian, the story of the hunt will glorify only the hunter.

195. The fish always stinks from the head downwards.

A dead fish starts rotting from head downwards. Similarly, in any organization or country, the rot sets in from the top. If the leadership is defunct, corrupt, and self-centred, implications will soon spread to the entire organization.

Example : Who can forget scandals at Enron and Satyam Computers where misdemeanours of their leaders sank the companies? The fish always stinks from the head downwards.

196. If every man would sweep his own doorsteps, the city would soon be clean.

For community work, everyone should take responsibility and contribute whatever little they can. Small contributions by many can accomplish mammoth tasks such as cleaning an entire city.

Example : The people came together to raise funds for the community centre. If every man would sweep his own doorsteps, the city would soon be clean.

197. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Teaching fishing, a skill, is far more important than merely handing doles (fish, here) to people. It serves an important reminder to our educational institutions, especially higher education, where majority of graduates are churned out without marketable skills. Most animals, in contrast, teach only the most essential skills – finding food and escaping predators – to their young ones. Nothing superfluous there.

Example : Skilling is better than giving subsidies to poor. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

198. Corporations have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned.

Protesting against a government or a large organization is unlike protesting against individuals. An organization can use its deep pockets and power to take you on for decades together, and it wouldn’t bother anyone in that organization because individuals there don’t suffer financially or otherwise. In contrast, the protesters suffer individually. That’s why it’s not easy for individuals to slug it out against organizations and governments.

Example : Some countries impose economic sanctions not just against dictatorial regimes and rogue organizations but also against individuals there, which pinches the key orchestrators. The sanctioning countries know very well that corporations have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned.

199. When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.

A Native American proverb. It’s paramount to save the environment. We’re already seeing the adverse effect, which seem to intensify every year, of untold exploitation of nature.

Example : Government has approved another power project in an ecologically sensitive region. When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.

200. One law for the rich and another for the poor.

The law is same for both, but the rich, through their abundant resources, can get favourable decisions by influencing decision makers, hiring the best lawyers, and delaying the case if it suits them, among several measures at their command.

Example : The hotelier’s son went scot-free in the highly publicized hit-and-run case. After all, there is one law for the rich and another for the poor.

201. New lords, new laws.

New governments have their own agendas.

Example : The new government has raised taxes on the rich. New lords, new laws.

Anil is the person behind this website. He writes on most aspects of English Language Skills. More about him here:

27 Comments

I love this. Some I agree with, some I don’t, but proverbs are something that have been around through ages. I liked easy-flowing descriptions of the proverbs.

Hi, I could be wrong here, but I thought blood is thicker than water was originally derived from ‘the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb’, meaning friendship is stronger than family bonds. Thanks.

I really enjoyed reading and learning these proverbs. I appreciate your hard work to make this page. Thank you, Emilly, UK

Does anyone know any proverb/quote around the idea of making two trips (to the car) instead of one? The idea is not to try and save time by carrying too much at once? My GGMa had a saying and I cannot recall it. Any help appreciated.

This was very helpful, but I still need the meanings of the following proverbs: 1. Speech is silver, silence is golden 2. A miss is as good as a mile

The bow street runners used to ride. It took a mile to load a rifle so, a miss is as good as a mile!

It’s my best learning experience ever; honestly it’s my favourite. I wish I could have it in a pdf. I would really be so grateful. I appreciate it.

Great help for my father who has dementia.

Wow! Am a teacher and have found the proverbs so usefel and helpful in consideration that most books don’t address them quite fully.. Thanks for the Madeline examples

This is awesome! I’d like to share one my grandmother would say. “You don’t have to eat the whole hog to know you’re eating pork.”

Hi what’s the meaning and example of 1. The owl thinks her own young fairest 2. If fools went not to market, bad wares would 3. The peacock has fair feathers, but foul feet

Nice proverbs. I have our local proverb from South Sudan: A man is man no man can make man a man.

Great but most of them are not proverbs that kids can understand, like my daughter (5-year-old) said that if she and her friend were having a race did she just have to walk. She thought that slow really wins the race.

Does anyone Know what “queer as a bottle of chips ” means or comes from?

As an aspiring English writer whose mother language is not English, definitions of proverbs are sometimes hard to understand. This post really helped me a lot!

Also missing: You can’t make a silk purse from a pigs ear.

I learnt few proverbs that I can use in my essays. A big thank you to Lemon Grad. I hope you will be covering more things on English.

Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. The squeaky wheel get the grease. What’s that have to do with the price of eggs in China. No good deed goes unpunished

Thank you for your 150 proverbs and their meanings. It helped my daughter to complete her english project. Thanks a lot ??????

Thank you for helping me score high in my national examination!!!

Thanks so much ?..I’ve just finished writing my term paper and the proverbs have been of great help.

If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm you will never enjoy the sunshine.

Enjoy the current moments even if they are small rather than waiting for big events to take place in your life.

please email me meanings of proverbs down below

1- It never rains but pours

2- Still waters run deep

3- To carry water in a sieve

Hello, I think these could be the meaning you have asking for. I hope it helps you It never rains but pours. This means that misfortune never comes alone. Still waters run deep: Appearences are deceptive

Sorry, I’ve forgot the 3rd one To carry water in a sieve means work for nothing, doing a useless job

I was looking for an English version of a Danish proverb stating that “when the manger is empty, the horses bite one another”. Do you have a good match?

Admiring the hard work you put into your blog and in depth information you offer. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material.

Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

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100 Important English Proverbs with Meaning for Students Exams

January 10, 2024 entranciology English Grammar , English Study , English Vocabulary 0

Here are 100 English proverbs along with their meanings:-

• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. (It’s better to have a small, certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may come to nothing.)
• Actions speak louder than words. (What people do is more important than what they say.)
• All that glitters is not gold. (Not everything that looks valuable or true turns out to be so.)
• An apple a day keeps the doctor away. (Eating healthy food promotes good health.)
• As you sow, so shall you reap. (Your actions and choices have consequences.)
• Better late than never. (It’s better to do something late than not at all.)
• Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. (Don’t harm someone who helps or supports you.)
• Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. (Don’t make plans based on something that hasn’t happened yet.)
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. (Don’t risk everything on the success of one venture.)
• Every cloud has a silver lining. (Even in difficult situations, there is something positive to be found.)
• Every dog has its day. (Everyone will have success or good fortune at some point.)
• Every rose has its thorn. (Every good thing has its drawback or difficulty.)
• Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. (Inexperienced or rash people often go where more cautious people would avoid.)
• Haste makes waste. (Doing things too quickly can result in mistakes that take more time to fix.)
• Honesty is the best policy. (It’s always better to tell the truth.)
• If the cap fits, wear it. (If something said applies to you, accept it.)
• If the shoe fits, wear it. (If something said applies to you, accept it.)
• It’s a piece of cake. (It’s very easy.)
• It’s raining cats and dogs. (It’s raining heavily.)
• Rome wasn’t built in a day. (Big achievements take time.)
• Kill two birds with one stone. (Accomplish two things with a single action.)
• Let sleeping dogs lie. (Avoid interfering in a situation that is currently stable.)
• Look before you leap. (Think carefully before making a decision or taking action.)
• Make hay while the sun shines. (Take advantage of opportunities when they arise.)
• Money doesn’t grow on trees. (Money is not easily obtained.)
• Necessity is the mother of invention. (Challenges prompt creative solutions.)
• No pain, no gain. (You have to work hard to achieve results.)
• Out of the frying pan and into the fire. (From one bad situation to an even worse one.)
• People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. (Don’t criticize others if you have flaws yourself.)
• Practice makes perfect. (Repeated efforts lead to improvement.)
• Put all your eggs in one basket. (Risk everything on one venture.)
• Silence is golden. (It’s often better to remain silent than to speak.)
• The early bird catches the worm. (Success comes to those who start early.)
• The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. (People tend to covet what they don’t have.)
• The more, the merrier. (The larger the group, the more enjoyable the occasion.)
• The pen is mightier than the sword. (Writing can be more influential than fighting.)
• There’s no smoke without fire. (Rumors or accusations often have a basis in truth.)
• Too many cooks spoil the broth. (Too many people involved can ruin something.)
• Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. (If something seems suspicious, there’s probably a reason.)
• You can’t have your cake and eat it too. (You can’t have everything the way you want it.)
• You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs. (Achieving something requires taking risks or making sacrifices.)
• You can’t judge a book by its cover. (You can’t know someone or something by appearances alone.)
• A watched pot never boils. (Time seems to pass slowly when you’re waiting for something.)
• Absence makes the heart grow fonder. (Being apart from someone makes you appreciate them more.)
• All’s fair in love and war. (In difficult or challenging situations, anything goes.)
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. (Perceptions of beauty vary from person to person.)
• Better safe than sorry. (It’s better to be cautious and avoid risks.)
• Blood is thicker than water. (Family relationships are more important than friendships.)
• Don’t cry over spilled milk. (Don’t waste time worrying about things that have already happened.)
• Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. (Don’t discard the good along with the bad.)
• Every man for himself, and the devil takes the hindmost. (People should take care of their own interests.)
• Fortune favors the bold. (Those who take risks are more likely to succeed.)
• Good things come to those who wait. (Patience is rewarded.)
• Great minds think alike. (Intelligent people often have similar ideas or opinions.)
• Half a loaf is better than none. (Having something is better than having nothing.)
• Home is where the heart is. (Your true home is where you are loved and comfortable.)
• In for a penny, in for a pound. (If you’re committed, go all the way.)
• It takes two to tango. (Both parties in a situation are responsible for it.)
• Jack of all trades, master of none. (Being skilled in many areas may mean not excelling in any.)
• Laugh and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone. (People are more likely to share joy than sorrow.)
• Let bygones be bygones. (Forget about past conflicts and forgive.)
• Misery loves company. (People who are unhappy may seek out others who are also unhappy.)
• Never count your chickens before they hatch. (Don’t make plans based on something that hasn’t happened yet.)
• Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. (Don’t procrastinate; take action now.)
• No news is good news. (Lack of information is often a positive sign.)
• Nothing ventured, nothing gained. (To achieve something, you must take risks.)
• Once bitten, twice shy. (After a bad experience, people tend to be cautious in similar situations.)
• One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. (What one person considers worthless may be valuable to someone else.)
• Out of sight, out of mind. (If you don’t see or hear about something, you’ll forget it.)
• Penny wise, pound foolish. (Being frugal with small amounts of money can lead to wastefulness with larger amounts.)
• Practice makes perfect. (Repetition and experience lead to improvement.)
• The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. (Children often resemble their parents in behavior or appearance.)
• The best things in life are free. (The most valuable things cannot be bought.)
• The proof of the pudding is in the eating. (The true value or success of something is only known when it is put to use.)
• The road to hell is paved with good intentions. (Having good intentions doesn’t guarantee positive outcomes.)
• There’s no such thing as a free lunch. (Everything comes with a cost or consequence.)
• Time heals all wounds. (Over time, emotional pain lessens.)
• Two heads are better than one. (Collaboration and teamwork lead to better results.)
• When in Rome, do as the Romans do. (Adapt your behavior to fit in with the customs of the place you are in.)
• When the cat’s away, the mice will play. (People will misbehave or take advantage of freedom when there’s no authority figure present.)
• You reap what you sow. (Your actions have consequences; if you do good, you will receive good, and if you do harm, you will receive harm.

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63 Proverbs in English

Have you ever had a day at work where people said the strangest things ?

“The cat’s out of the bag,” a co-worker says at a staff meeting. “But it’s no use crying over spilled milk. We can still make a lot of progress today.”

Cats? Milk? What’s going on here? The answer is that your co-worker is using proverbs.

Proverbs are the  traditional (historic) sayings of a country or group of people. They are short, clever sentences that usually offer life advice. Native English speakers often use them in conversation without even realizing it.

Proverbs can teach you more about English culture than any textbook. They show what’s important to the group of people, what is considered good behavior and what is bad behavior.

Below are 63 of the top English proverbs, clearly explained just for you!

1. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

2. don’t judge a book by its cover., 3. strike while the iron is hot., 4. too many cooks spoil the broth., 5. you can’t have your cake and eat it too., 6. many hands make light work., 7. when in rome, do as the romans do., 8. don’t cross the bridge until you come to it., 9. honesty is the best policy., 10. practice makes perfect., 11. where there’s a will, there’s a way., 12. look before you leap., 13. beggars can’t be choosers., 14. don’t make a mountain out of an anthill., 15. an apple a day keeps the doctor away., 16. the early bird catches the worm., 17. better late than never., 18. the cat is out of the bag., 19. two wrongs don’t make a right., 20. always put your best foot forward., 21. rome wasn’t built in a day., 22. it’s better to be safe than sorry., 23. don’t bite the hand that feeds you., 24. the squeaky wheel gets the grease., 25. don’t bite off more than you can chew., 26. you made your bed, now you have to lie in it., 27. actions speak louder than words., 28. it takes two to tango., 29. don’t count your chickens before they hatch., 30. it’s no use crying over spilled milk., 31. don’t put all your eggs in one basket., 32. people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones., 33. a rolling stone gathers no moss., 34. first things first., 35. still waters run deep., 36. if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it., 37. curiosity killed the cat., 38. learn to walk before you run., 39. money doesn’t grow on trees., 40. my hands are tied., 41. it’s the tip of the iceberg., 42. no news is good news., 43. out of sight, out of mind., 44. if you scratch my back, i’ll scratch yours., 45. ignorance is bliss., 46. easy come, easy go., 47. the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest., 48. every cloud has a silver lining., 49. you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs., 50. close, but no cigar., 51. there’s more than one way to skin a cat., 52. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush., 53. never trouble trouble ’til trouble troubles you., 54. paddle your own canoe., 55. bitter pills may have blessed effects., 56. it’s always darkest before the dawn., 57. people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones., 58. there are plenty more fish in the sea., 59. take it with a grain of salt., 60. from little acorns mighty oaks do grow., 61. you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink., 62. good things come to those who wait., 63. when life gives you lemons, make lemonade., and one more thing....

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“The grass is always greener” is a proverb that says it’s not good to be  jealous (to want what other people have). It may seem like everyone around you has “greener grass,” meaning nicer cars, better jobs, etc.

But your neighbor probably thinks you have greener grass, too. It means that your friends and other people might think you have better looks, a happier family, etc. So, instead of thinking about what everyone else has, this proverb wants you to be thankful for what you have.

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Sarah always thinks other schools are better. The grass is always greener on the other side , though.

Things are not always what they seem. This proverb teaches you not to make judgments about other people because of how they look or dress.

A book with a boring or plain cover could be amazing. The same is true with people. A person might look like an athlete or fool, but there’s probably a lot more to them than their clothes suggest.

I thought the movie would be boring, but my friend said not to judge a book by its cover .

This old expression comes from the days of  blacksmiths (people who work with metal). To shape the metal, the blacksmith would have to beat it with a hammer. Iron is easier to work with when it’s hot.

This proverb means you should take advantage of the moment. If an opportunity presents itself to you, take it! Take action because the chance may not come again.

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If you want a discount, you should buy the shirt now. Strike while the iron is hot.

The more common form of this expression is “Too many cooks in the kitchen.” A lot people trying to work in a kitchen around a small table or stovetop will likely make a mess and ruin the food.

This proverb talks about the trouble of too many people trying to do the same thing at once.

I think there should only be two or three people working on this project. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

If you eat your cake, you won’t have it anymore, will you? So you can’t do both. This proverb is about having two opposite desires, and how it’s impossible to get both.

Its meaning is the opposite of the expression, “to have the best of both worlds.”

No, I’m not going to give you money when you spent what you had on games. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

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If a lot of people carry a heavy object, it doesn’t feel heavy. That is the general meaning of this proverb.

If everyone works together to complete something—like cleaning, painting or group projects—then each person has less to do. More importantly, the job will be completed much more quickly.

Please help us with this project. Many hands make light work.

Sometimes, this proverb is shortened to just “when in Rome…” When you are a visitor somewhere away from home, you should act like everyone else. It’s polite to do so, and could keep you from getting into trouble.

This proverb refers to the ancient days of the Roman Empire when the capital city had visitors from all over the world. Cultures were very different between cities in those times. But while in Rome, people needed to behave like a Roman, no matter where they came from.

In Japan, bowing is polite, so when in Rome, do as the Romans do .

This proverb tells you not to worry so much! Problems will certainly come in the future. But what can be done about that now?

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It’s better to think about what you’re doing right now—without worrying about the unknown—and take care of issues when they actually happen.

Don’t worry about the test next month when you still have to pass an exam tomorrow. You shouldn’t cross the bridge until you come to it .

Lying a lot can be difficult, because you might forget your lies. Soon enough, someone will find out that you’re lying. Then, you’re in trouble. And even if no one ever finds out, you’ll feel guilty for not telling the truth.

But if you’re honest and tell the truth, people will believe you and respect you. You’ll earn their trust and sleep well at night.

Even if you make a mistake, honesty is the best policy . Tell the truth.

It would be amazing if you picked up a guitar for the first time and could play it like a rock star. Or if the first time you got in a car, you could drive like a professional. Or if you could speak English perfectly after one lesson.

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Everything is difficult when you’re a beginner. But if you stick with it and keep practicing, you can master anything.

You can get better at soccer by doing drills every day. Practice makes perfect.

This proverb is said to encourage people who want to give up. Sometimes, we face problems that seem impossible. But if you want it bad enough, nothing can stand in your way.

That is what this proverb means—if you have the will to meet the problems that are in front of you, there’s a way to overcome them.

Maria saved up half her earnings to go to college. She is proof that where there’s a will, there’s a way .

Don’t rush into things! Make sure you know what’s going to happen next. You wouldn’t jump off a cliff without first checking how far the ground is below or what there is to land on.

You should wait a few moments and make sure it’s a good idea to jump from that cliff. So, when making a big “jump” in life, make sure you’ve looked at the situation and really understood it before you take a big action.

When making important decisions, always look before you leap .

If someone gives you free things or offers to help you do something when you really need it, you can’t ask for a different color or choose the perfect time in your schedule.

When you receive help or goods and you don’t really have many other options, you should accept what you’re offered. You can’t be picky (a “chooser”) because you’re not paying!

It’s hard to book a good hotel during peak seasons. Beggars can’t be choosers.

People sometimes get very upset over small problems. This proverb reminds you to take a moment and see how important (or not important) the issue is.

Messing up your laundry or being late for work isn’t very important when you consider your entire life. So, it’s important to stay calm and not get angry about tiny problems.

Another version of this saying is the classic American proverb, “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill .”

It’s just a small scratch, Dave. Don’t make a mountain out of an anthill.

An apple is full of Vitamin C, which keeps you healthy. However, the “apple” in this proverb means eating healthy in general.

If you eat well and your diet includes a lot of fruits and vegetables, there will be no need to visit the doctor.

My grandma believes that an apple a day keeps the doctor away . That’s why she always has a fresh batch of apples in the fridge.

This proverb is a lot like the phrase “First come, first served.” It simply means that it’s usually best to be early.

If you arrive earlier—whether it’s to a clothing store, restaurant, conference, etc.—you’ll have the best options to choose from. If you come later, though, the best clothes could’ve sold out, the restaurant could be full and have a long waiting time, etc.

Wake up early if you want to finish your homework. The early bird catches the worm , after all.

While being the early bird is the best, even latecomers may get something for coming. It would be a lot worse if they never came at all.

This proverb is often said about ending fights with people. It’s better to apologize and make up years later than to never resolve your fight at all.

You can still join the party, Kyle. You know what they say: Better late than never !

This proverb means that a secret has been told. It comes from the Middle Ages and was common advice given in the market.

You may have thought you purchased a tasty pig, but the seller put a simple cat in the bag instead. “To let the cat out of the bag” was to reveal the seller’s trick.

We were planning a surprise, but now the cat is out of the bag .

If somebody insults you or harms you (“a wrong”), doing the same to them (“two wrongs”) will not make everything okay.

It will most likely cause a back-and-forth fight without end. If somebody is mean to you, don’t be mean to them in return because it’s not right to be so.

He hit you, but hitting back won’t help. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

When you’re starting on a project or a journey, it’s best to start with a good attitude and a lot of energy.  First impressions (what people think about you when they meet you for the first time) can last for a long time.

That’s why this proverb is also used when meeting new people or for job interviews. Having a positive attitude—your “best foot”—is the best way to make a good impression.

In the job interview, remember to smile, be confident and always put your best foot forward .

Rome is a great city. However, it took many years to be completed. The builders didn’t rush to complete their work and neither should you.

If you wish to create something wonderful and long-lasting, you’ll have to spend more than a day working on it. You’ll probably have to spend several days, weeks or even months to do a good job. Take your time and do it right!

It’s okay that you don’t draw like an expert in the beginning. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Do everything possible to keep bad things from happening to you. It only takes a second to put on a seatbelt or to check that you locked the door.

But if you’re not safe, the bad results can last a lifetime. So, it’s better for you to be careful. Otherwise, you’ll be sorry.

Wear your helmet when biking. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

This proverb warns against acting mean to those who provide for you or do nice things for you.

If you were to bite the hand that gave you food, that hand probably won’t come back to feed you again. Then what would you eat? So, you should be kind and thankful to those who care for you.

Even if you’re upset, be nice to your boss. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

If you have a problem but never talk about it, no one will help you. How could they? But if you tell someone, things will get better.

This proverb is about someone who complains a lot (the “squeaky wheel”) because they get more attention (“the grease”). For example, a child who cries a lot will get more attention from his mother than his silent brothers and sisters.

If you need help, speak up! The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

If you take a bite of food that’s too big, you won’t be able to chew! Plus, you could choke on all of that extra food.

It’s the same if you take on more work or responsibility than you can handle—you’ll have a difficult time. So, it’s best not to get involved in too many projects, because you won’t be able to focus and get them all done well.

Did you really just decide to write two papers in one night? I don’t think you should bite off more than you can chew .

No one likes sleeping in a poorly made bed. If you make your bed with the sheets all tangled and blankets facing the wrong way, you can’t switch with someone else. You have to sleep in that bed.

This proverb uses bed-making to describe any bad situation in which you may find yourself. You can’t trade places with anyone else. You must live with the results of your actions, so make good choices.

You didn’t study for the test, and will probably fail because of it. You made your bed, now you have to lie in it.

The Greek philosopher Plato once said that action is character. People aren’t defined by what they say because a lot of talk doesn’t mean anything. People are judged by the things they do. Your actions are more important than what you say.

Instead of promising to help, just help. Actions speak louder than words.

This proverb is often said during a fight in which one person is putting all of the blame on the other person, when both people were actually responsible.

Just as one person can’t  tango (a Spanish dance with two people) alone, two people are responsible for some situations, so you can’t just blame one person.

In a relationship, it takes two to tango .

This proverb warns against being too eager. Just because you have five eggs doesn’t mean you will have five chickens. It’s not a good idea to make plans based on  expectations (what you think will happen). Things may not happen like you thought they would and that could get you in trouble.

I know you’re excited about the job interview, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch .

Milk is easy to get. You may get in trouble for spilling the milk, but you shouldn’t cry because it isn’t a big deal. Also, crying won’t solve anything.

This proverb advises you to stay calm during such small problems. Don’t waste time worrying about little things that cannot be changed. Clean up the mess and go buy some more milk.

I accidentally broke my favorite mug, but it’s no use crying over spilled milk . I’ll just buy a new one.

Be careful! If you put all your goods in one bag or all your money in one stock, you’re taking a big risk. It’s smarter to spread your wealth around. That way, if one basket should break, you’re not left with nothing.

When it comes to investing in stocks, don’t put all your eggs in one basket .

“People in glass houses” means anyone who is sensitive about their failures. People like this shouldn’t insult others (shouldn’t “throw stones”), because the other person will likely turn around and insult you back.

And like glass, which is easy to break, your  self-esteem (what you think of yourself) will easily break into pieces.

You shouldn’t criticize others for their mistakes when you have your own flaws. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones .

Only a stone that’s in the same place for a long time will have moss growing on it. On the other hand, a stone on the move will remain bare.

The same is true with people. If you remain in one place for a long time, the signs of life—friends, family, objects and your local  reputation (what people think of you)—will grow on you. But if you always move from place to place, the opposite will happen.

Sarah loves to travel and try new things, because she believes that a rolling stone gathers no moss .

This proverb advises you to do things in the right order. Don’t skip over the more difficult or less enjoyable tasks to get to the easier, more fun ones.

For example, if you have an exam to study for the same night your friend is having a party, study for the exam first. The party would be more fun, but the exam is more important, so it should be done first.

First things first : Finish your chores before you start your homework.

“Still waters run deep” describes people who are quiet and calm. These people often have “deep,” interesting personalities. So even if someone doesn’t talk a lot, they could still be very thoughtful.

The proverb uses water to describe people. When the surface of a body of water is rough and fast, it usually means that it’s  shallow (not deep) and has rocks close to the surface, like in a river or stream. But water that is calm and still is often very deep, like in a lake.

John may seem quiet, but still waters run deep .

This phrase is used when someone is trying to change or “improve” a way of doing something that works perfectly well. Why change something that works? You could ruin everything! This proverb goes nicely with the expression “leave well enough alone.”

*Note: “Ain’t” is not correct English. It’s an informal way of saying “isn’t” or “is not.” This style of speaking is popular in the Southern states of the United States and in farming regions.

Our company has a general policy along the lines of “ if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. “

This proverb is often used to stop someone from asking too many questions.

Curiosity (when you’re excited and eager to know something) can lead you into dangerous situations. Cats, who are naturally curious, often end up in trouble. They can get stuck up in trees or between walls.

My little sister opened the mysterious box even though she was told not to. Well, curiosity killed the cat .

Do things in the right order—from the simplest to the most complicated.

For example, don’t try to read a difficult English novel when you’re just starting to learn English . If you try to jump ahead, you’ll most likely fail—just like a child who tries to run before learning to walk will fall.

All things will come in time, but you must be patient and go through the proper process.

Before you study calculus, you’ll want to master algebra first. Learn to walk before you run .

This proverb is often said to people who waste their money on silly purchases.

Things that grow on trees, such as fruit or leaves, are considered  plentiful (enough, plenty) because they’ll grow back. If you eat an apple from a tree, more apples will continue to grow.

But money must be earned through hard work, and doesn’t “grow back” after you spend it. Once you spend money, it’s gone.

We can’t buy everything we want. Money doesn’t grow on trees , you know.

This phrase shouldn’t be taken literally. You say this proverb when you can’t do what you would like to do, especially when someone asks you to do something.

For example, let’s say you are in charge of an office and everyone (including you) wants to celebrate someone’s birthday. But your boss tells you it’s against the rules. You could tell your coworkers, “Sorry, my hands are tied.” You would like to have a birthday celebration with them, but you can’t.

I would love to help, but my hands are tied . I have too many assignments to complete.

Only a small amount of an iceberg can be seen above the surface of the water. Most of it lies below.

This proverb uses the iceberg to describe a situation where you are only beginning to understand the problem. The little signs that you can see are in fact part of a much larger problem.

The argument was just the tip of the iceberg . There are deeper issues that need to be addressed.

No information about a situation suggests that nothing bad has happened. This phrase is said by families waiting nervously for news of a father or son who has gone to war.

To receive news would mean hearing that your loved one has been killed, captured or hurt. Even though it’s difficult to know nothing about what’s happening, it’s still better than hearing bad news.

I haven’t heard from the job interview yet, but no news is good news , right?

If you can see something every day, your mind will think about it. This proverb is about the habit of forgetting things that are not nearby.

For example, if you want to stop eating chips and junk food, you could move them from the countertop and hide them in a cupboard. If you don’t see them, you won’t think to eat them. Out of sight, out of mind.

Since I moved to a new city, my old friends are out of sight, out of mind .

This proverb simply means that if you help me, I’ll help you, too. Usually, when you do a favor for someone, they do something for you in return. This can be  beneficial (helpful) to both people.

If you help me with my project, I’ll help you with yours. It’s a “scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours” situation.

Ignorance is when you don’t know or are unaware of something.  Bliss is pure joy and happiness. So, sometimes it feels better and you’re more comfortable when you don’t know about certain things—for example, events on the news.

Sometimes, not knowing the harsh reality can be better—as they say, ignorance is bliss .

Money, fame, love or anything that happens easily can be lost just as quickly. If you get a lot of money or suddenly become famous, you could lose that money or fame very quickly—since you didn’t work hard to earn it.

I found 20 dollars on the street, but I lost it later in the day. Well, easy come, easy go .

Forbidden  means it’s not allowed, so this phrase means that if something isn’t allowed, you often want it the most (it will “taste” the sweetest).

For example, let’s say you’re a kid whose parents don’t let you drink soda. You go to a friend’s house, and her parents ask if you want a soda. You say yes and really enjoy that soda because you never get to drink it at home.

Even though she was told not to eat the cookies, the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest , and she couldn’t resist.

People say this when things are going badly or when someone is sad. Clouds stand for bad situations. Every bad situation has some good parts to it—you just have to look for them.

This proverb is meant to help people feel better and keep going. It’s also where the name of the movie “Silver Linings Playbook” came from.

Even though I lost my job, I found a new opportunity. Every cloud has a silver lining .

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An omelet is a tasty dish and worth the effort to make. However, you must break some eggs to make it.

Sometimes, to get things done, you have to be pushy or break a few rules. You may even have to insult some people. So if you want to get a worthwhile project done or make changes, you can’t please everyone. Someone might be offended or hurt, so you have to decide if the price is worth it.

Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

In the old days, fairgrounds would give cigars as prizes for games. The phrase “close, but no cigar” means that you were close to succeeding in the game, but you didn’t win the cigar.

As a proverb, it means that even though you did your best or almost had it right, you weren’t able to meet your goal.

I was close to winning the race, but I came in second place. Close, but no cigar .

This proverb is saying that there’s more than one way to do or accomplish something.

For example, during your English learning journey, you’ve probably been told “this is the best way” or “this is the best resource,” but “the best” is really whatever personally works for you. You have to figure out the best way to skin the cat—figuratively, of course!

If your initial plan doesn’t work out, don’t worry. There’s more than one way to skin a cat .

Sometimes, we take for granted what we have, and also don’t realize what we have until it’s gone. This proverb claims that the most valuable thing you have is what you already have!

For example, let’s say you have $100. You could just put this $100 into your savings account, or you could take it to Las Vegas to try to turn it into $1000. But it’s likely that you’ll lose it. So, stick with the bird (that $100) in your hand.

I was considering a job offer from another city, but my current job is stable. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

This is saying that you don’t go looking for problems and making things more difficult for yourself.

You’ve probably noticed that the word “trouble” is repeated four times in this proverb—twice as verbs and twice as nouns.

In English, many words can be used as different parts of speech .

Don’t worry about things you can’t control. Never trouble trouble ’til trouble troubles you.

This verb is saying that you should be independent and not rely on others so much. It’s possible to have more than one person paddle a canoe, but if you want to succeed in life, you need to learn to do it on your own.

Take charge of your own life and decisions; in other words, paddle your own canoe .

This proverb says that the  remedy or solution to a problem might not be pleasant, but the end result can be wonderful.

For example, exercise may not be fun while you’re doing it, but if you stick with it, you’ll be healthier.

The criticism was tough to hear, but it made me improve. Bitter pills may have blessed effects .

This proverb is a good reminder that darkness is always followed by light.

At some point during your English learning journey, you’ll likely encounter a phase (hopefully, a very short one) where you feel like you’ve hit a wall, you’re frustrated, you don’t feel like you’re progressing or you feel like you just want to give up.

This is the darkest moment!

But if you stick with it and keep practicing and putting in the effort, the dawn (i.e., you being fluent in English) will eventually come!

I know you feel terrible right now, but it’s always darkest before the dawn .

This proverb advises against being a hypocrite (someone whose words don’t match what they do, or vice versa).

For example, this proverb would apply to a classmate who’s being mean to someone because they didn’t know what a certain word meant in English, even though this classmate often makes a lot of mistakes in English.

Jenny criticized her friend’s cooking, but she forgot she burned dinner last week. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

This proverb is mainly used to offer  condolences (sympathy) to someone who has just broken up with their significant other. This proverb suggests that the heartbroken person shouldn’t worry too much because there are plenty of other potential partners out there.

This proverb might be incorporated into a conversation like this:

Your friend: Shelly just broke up with me. I’m going to be alone forever!

You: I’m so sorry she broke up with you. But you shouldn’t worry too much. There are plenty more fish in the sea .

Meaning: Don’t take something someone says or does too seriously.

This proverb can be used when someone is telling you something that probably isn’t entirely true. In this case, you’d take what they say with a grain of salt.

We all know someone who always exaggerates or doesn’t tell the entire truth. These are the types of people whose words should be taken with a grain of salt.

When listening to gossip, it’s wise to take it with a grain of salt . Not everything may be true.

This American proverb reminds us that great people and accomplishments often come from  modest (simple) beginnings. This proverb can certainly be applied to your English language learning journey!

You might have started with little to no understanding of the English language. But from these humble beginnings, you can grow into a strong English speaker!

The fact that his multimillion dollar corporation started as a tiny store is proof that from little acorns mighty oaks do grow .

This strange proverb actually has nothing to do with horses.

It means that you can give someone something that they need (like water in this case), but there’s no way you can force them to use that something (or drink the water) until they’re ready to do it.

In other words, you can’t force someone to do something, even if it’s good for them.

For example, your parents can give you money to attend university, but they can’t make you actually go to class. That decision is totally up to you.

Don’t force him to do something he doesn’t want to do. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink .

Patience is valued in American culture, so this proverb tells you that waiting—although boring—can lead to great outcomes.

For example, let’s say you want to buy a new car. Well, it may take a while because you have to work and save your money. But after a year, you finally have the money and the model you wanted to buy is way better than last year’s model. So, the wait was worth it!

If you’re working hard and not seeing results right now, know that good things come to those who wait .

In American culture, “lemons” are often bad things. They’re sour and pretty much useless on their own. You’d much rather have a fresh strawberry or an orange.

So, when life gives you lemons (hardship), just squeeze those lemons into a glass, add a little sugar or water and have a delicious and refreshing drink. You’ve turned something bad into something great!

When life gives Kate lemons, she makes lemonade . For example, after losing her job, she decided to start her own business that’s now earning a lot of money.

English has many proverbs, and these are just the tip of the iceberg.

But you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew. Start with these useful English proverbs and sayings, and you’ll be using them yourself in no time!

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English proverbs

Proverbs are popularly defined as short expressions of popular wisdom. Efforts to improve on the popular definition have not led to a more precise definition. The wisdom is in the form of a general observation about the world or a bit of advice, sometimes more nearly an attitude toward a situation. See also English proverbs (alphabetically by proverb)

• 4 Admiration
• 11 Apologize
• 12 Applause
• 26 Behavior
• 28 Bellyful
• 49 Business
• 58 Cheating
• 61 Christian
• 63 Circumstance
• 68 Cobbler/Shoemaker
• 74 Comparison
• 75 Confidence
• 76 Conscience
• 84 Crocodile
• 89 Customers
• 96 Demagogue
• 100 Discretion
• 101 Discussion
• 102 Disease
• 107 Dog food
• 111 Drinking
• 112 Dropping
• 113 Drunkard
• 121 Eavesdropper
• 122 Education
• 124 Egotist
• 129 Englishman
• 130 Eternity
• 132 Everyone/Everybody
• 134 Example
• 135 Exception
• 136 Experience
• 139 Fairness
• 144 Fashion
• 159 Forewarned
• 160 Forgiveness
• 161 Fortune
• 165 Garbage
• 168 Gentleman
• 178 Government
• 185 Halvation
• 187 Handsome
• 201 Hesitation
• 203 Hindsight
• 204 History
• 210 Hospitality
• 212 Ignorance
• 213 Imitation
• 214 Insanity
• 216 Islands
• 219 Judgment
• 220 Justice
• 221 Kindness
• 222 Keeping
• 224 Knowledge
• 225 Kingdom
• 226 Kitchen
• 230 Language
• 235 Liberty
• 238 Lightning
• 241 Literature
• 247 Lose/Lost
• 250 Madness
• 255 Marriage
• 256 Measure
• 262 Mirrors
• 263 Misfortune
• 265 Mistake
• 269 Mountain
• 276 Necessity
• 280 Nothing
• 287 Opportunity
• 291 Package
• 294 Paradise
• 296 Parties
• 301 Pestilence
• 304 Picture
• 305 Pitcher
• 307 Playing
• 310 Politeness
• 311 Politics
• 313 Poverty
• 315 Practice
• 316 Precept
• 317 Pregnancy
• 318 Prejudice
• 319 Prepare
• 320 Prevention
• 324 Problem
• 325 Promise
• 326 Prophet
• 327 Prosperity
• 329 Proverb
• 330 Publisher
• 331 Pudding
• 332 Punishment
• 333 Question
• 337 Reality
• 341 Revenge
• 342 Revolution
• 352 Service
• 357 Shoemaker/Cobbler
• 360 Silence
• 361 Simplicity
• 364 Slippery
• 382 Storage
• 383 Success
• 386 Superstition
• 387 Surgeon
• 388 Suspicion
• 389 Swallow
• 390 Swimmer
• 396 Temptation
• 400 Thought
• 402 Tomorrow
• 406 Treasure
• 408 Trencher
• 409 Trouble
• 416 Variety
• 421 Village
• 439 Winning
• 456 References
• 457 See also
• 458 External links
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Belfour, John (1812). A Complete Collection of English Proverbs: Also, the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French,hiii Spanish, and Other Languages, the Whole Methodically Digested and Illustrated with Annotations, and Proper Explications . G. Cowie. p. 76.  
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 187, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• "Many talk like Philosophers, and live like Fools."
• Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia (1732)
• Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. 1845. p. 10.  
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 60, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• "He will through life be master of himself and a happy man who from day to day can have said, 'I have lived: tomorrow the Father may fill the sky with black clouds or with cloudless sunshine.'"
• Horace, Odes Book III, ode xxix, line 41. (c. 23 BC and 13 BC).
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "495" . Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs . II . Routledge. p. 445. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). "advice" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "We must be very careful when we give advice to younger people: sometimes they follow it!"
• Edsger W. Dijkstra , " The Humble Programmer ", Communications of the ACM (1972)
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "118" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . I . p. 131. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• All is fair in love and war. (17th century)
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 17. ISBN 9511109618
• Good riding at two anchors, men have told, for if the one fails, the other may hold. (Strauss, 1994 p. 879)
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 55, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "843" . Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs . pp. 201–. ISBN 978-1-136-78971-7 .  
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 61, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• "Evil spreads. One attractive bad example may be readily followed by others, eventually ruining a whole community."
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "X" . European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 292. ISBN 1-875943-44-7 .  
• Cf. Dan Michael of Northgate, Ayenbite of Inwyt (1340): " A rotten apple will spoil a great many sound ones ." (Middle English: "A roted eppel amang þe holen: makeþ rotie þe yzounde.").
• Cf. Notes and Queries magazine , Feb. 24, 1866, p. 153: "Eat an apple on going to bed, // And you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread." [ 1 ] .
• Adapted to its current form in the 1900s as a marketing slogan used by American growers concerned that the temperance movement would cut into sales of apple cider.
• ( Michael Pollan , The Botany of Desire , Random House, 2001, ISBN 0375501290 , p. 22, cf. p. 9 & 50)
• Divers Proverbs , Nathan Bailey, 1721 [ 2 ]
• A humorous version of the nutritional exortation to maintain good health by eating fruit. Original source unknown.
• "Artistic excellence lies in making something that is subtle or intricate appear simple and streamlined."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 20 June 2013 .  
• When all men say you are an ass it is time to bray. (Strauss 1994, p. 1221)
• "One never rises so high as when one does not know where one is going."
• Oliver Cromwell to M. Bellièvre. Found in Memoirs of Cardinal de Retz
• "* When we wish to correct with advantage, and to show another that he errs, we must notice from what side he views the matter, for on that side it is usually true, and admit that truth to him, but reveal to him the side on which it is false. He is satisfied with that, for he sees that he was not mistaken, and that he only failed to see all sides.
• Blaise Pascal, Pensées (1669) "
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 25 August 2013 .  
• Primo dede mulieris consilio, secundo noli.
• "Take the first advice of a woman and not the second."
• Gilbertus Cognatus Noxeranus , Sylloge . See J. J. Grynæus , Adagio , p. 130. Langius , Polyanthea Col (1900) same sentiment. (Prends le premier conseil d'une femme et non le second. French for same). Reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 10-11.
• Brown, James Kyle (2001). I Give God a Chance: Christian Spirituality from the Edgar Cayce Readings . Jim Brown. p. 8. ISBN 0759621705 .  
• Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages . p. 17.  
• Filipp, M. R. (2005). Covenants Not to Compete, Aspen.
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1072" . Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs . II . Routledge. p. 879. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6 .  
• "Would you persuade, speak of Interest, not of Reason."
• Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1734)
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "Hook" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 510. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 122. ISBN 9511109618
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 123. ISBN 9511109618
• "One has to accept the consequences of one's actions, as any result is the logical consequence of preceding actions."
• Source for proverb and meaning: (Paczolay, 1997 p. 401)
• Kavari, Jekura Uaurika (25 October 2013). Omiano vya Tjipangandjara: Otjiherero Proverbs and Idioms . University of Namibia Press. pp. 75–. ISBN 978-99916-42-07-9 .  
• Speake, Jennifer (2008). "beat" . A Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 51. ISBN 978-0-19-158001-7 .  
• Caroline Ward (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 116.  
• "What are books but folly, and what is an education but an arrant hypocrisy, and what is art but a curse when they touch not the heart and impel it not to action?"
• Louise Sullivan, Kindergarten Chats (1918)
• "As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."
• Steve Jobs, Address at Stanford University (2005)
• Martin H. Manser (2007). "g" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "We must accept with gratitude and without complaint what we are given when we do not have the means or opportunity to provide ourselves with something better."
• Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 29 June 2013 .  
• "It shows a weak mind not to bear prosperity as well as adversity with moderation."
• Cicero, De Officiis (44 B.C.), I. 26.
• Manser, Martin H. (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 241. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). "W" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 283. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "Starting properly ensures the speedy completion of a process. A beginning is often blocked by one or more obstacles (potential barriers) the removal of which may ensure the smooth course of the process."
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "40" . European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 228. ISBN 1-875943-44-7 .  
• Divers Proverbs , Nathan Bailey, 1721 [ 3 ]
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 45
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. xcv
• John Bunyan , Pilgrim's Progress
• "It is better that somebody arrives or something happens later than expected or desired, than not at all."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 30 June 2013 .  
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett (1989). "S8" . Modern Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings . p. 543. ISBN 978-0-674-58053-4 .  
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "679" . Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs . I . p. 589. ISBN 978-1-136-78971-7 .  
• "An innocent demeanor may hide much guilt."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• John Bunyan cites this traditional proverb in The Pilgrim's Progress , (1678):
• "So are the men of this world: They must have all their good things now; they cannot stay till the next year, that is, until the next world, for their portion of good. That proverb, 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,' is of more authority with them than are all the divine testimonies of the good of the world to come."
• "It is a fact worthy of remark, that when a set of men agree in any particulars, though never so trivial, they flock together, and often establish themselves into a kind of fraternity for contriving and carrying into effect their plans. According to their distinct character they club together, factious with factious, wise with wise, indolent with indolent, active with active et cetera."
• Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 41.  
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "801" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . II . Taylor & Francis. p. 689. ISBN 978-0-415-10381-7 .   <
• "Fairest and best adorned is she Whose clothing is humility."
• James Montgomery , Humility . (1841)
• "Why wantonly proclaim one's own disgrace, or expose the faults or weaknesses of one's kindred or people?"
• WALTER K. KELLY (1859). PROVERBS OF ALL NATIONS, COMPARED, EXPLAINED, AND ILLUSTRATED . p. 109 . Retrieved on 3 August 2019 .   .
• "Those who are late to act, arrive, or get up tend to miss opportunities already seized by those who came earlier."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 5 September 2013 .  
• "I made the statement years ago which is often quoted that 80 percent of life is showing up. People used to always say to me that they wanted to write a play, they wanted to write a movie, they wanted to write a novel, and the couple of people that did it were 80 percent of the way to having something happen."
• Woody Allen, Interview for The Collider (2008)
• V&S EDITORIAL BOARD (2015). "D" . CONCISE DICTIONARY OF PROVERBS (POCKET SIZE) . p. 34. ISBN 978-93-5215-057-1 .  
• Heacock, Paul (2003). Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms (Illustrated ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 512. ISBN 052153271X .  
• V&S EDITORIAL BOARD (2015). CONCISE DICTIONARY OF PROVERBS (POCKET SIZE) . p. 33. ISBN 978-93-5215-057-1 .  
• "The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb"
• "Family before Friendship"
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "X" . European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 233. ISBN 1-875943-44-7 .  
• Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages . p. 34.  
• "There are two motives for reading a book: one, that you enjoy it; the other, that you can boast about it."
• Bertrand Russell , The Conquest of Happiness (1930), Ch. 3: Competition.
• Bartlett Jere Whiting (1977). Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . Harvard University Press. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 . Retrieved on 17 July 2013 .  
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). "G" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 110. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?"
• The Bible, the Gospel of Luke (~65 A.D)
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 57, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 13. ISBN 9511109618
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 148. ISBN 9511109618
• "Do not form an opinion about something or somebody based solely on outward appearance."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 311
• "Religious ideas, supposedly private matters between man and god, are in practice always political ideas."
• Christopher Hitchens, The Monarchy: A Critique of Britain's Favourite Fetish (1990), Chatto Counterblasts
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 137. ISBN 9511109618
• "From one learn all."
• Virgil, Æneid (29-19 BC)
• (Strauss 1994, p. 1104)
• "that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention."
• Francis Bacon, Essays (1625)
• "The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing."
• Robert A. Hall , I'm Tired (February 19, 2009)
• Reader's Digest Association (1 June 1996). Reader's Digest Oxford complete wordfinder . p. 1808. ISBN 978-0-89577-894-9 .  
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 189, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• "Do not pass judgment on somebody until you have been in the same situation, undergone the same experiences, or tried the same thing."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 16 August 2013 .  
• "Well, looks like you've got lots of stuff to do, before you do any stuff."
• John Wren, Mac, Get a Mac Ad Campaign (2006).
• J. Russell Smith (1869). "T" . English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases Collected from the Most Authentic Sources Alphabetically Arranged and Annotated by W. Carew Hazlitt . p. 360.  
• "It is better to make some confession, or pay a little deference to others, our neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and especially our superiors, rather than lose our credit or break friendship."
• Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 46.  
• Ward, Caroline (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 20.  
• "Much ado about nothing."
• Keating, Walter (1859). Proverbs of All Nations . W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). p. 128.  
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "178" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . I . Routledge. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• John Dryden , Alexander's Feast
• "Those who act boldly or courageously are most likely to succeed."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "'We must be grateful for what we get, even if it is less than we desire."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 60.  
• "If you make a great number of predictions, the ones that were wrong will soon be forgotten, and the ones that turn out to be true will make you famous."
• Malcolm Gladwell , Dangerous Minds: Criminal profiling made easy (2007)
• Honthaner, Eve Light (2010). I Hollywood drive: what it takes to break in, hang in & make it in the entertainment industry . Elsevier. p. 341. ISBN 0240806689 .  
• "Do not try to improve on something that already is working well."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "We should never use an old tool when the extra labor in consequence costs more than a new one. Thousands wear out their lives and waste their time merely by the use of dull and unsuitable instruments."
• "We often apply it to exchanges among servants, clerks, or any persons employed, whose service, at first, in any new place, is very good, both efficient and faithful; but very soon, when all the new circumstances have lost their novelty, and all their curiosity has ceased, they naturally fall into their former and habitual slackness."

A Jamaican proverb appends a kind of dissent with the proverb, “New broom sweep clean, but owl broom noe dem cahna.” (A new broom sweeps [a room] better and can make it look more clean, but the old broom knows the corners and how to treat them.) This version suggests caution with trusting the inexperienced too much, when experienced veterans likely possess knowledge and wisdom gained only through practice and exposure.

• Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 38.  
• John Lyly , Euphues . Arber's Reprint, p. 89; reported as a proverb in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 639.
• "The Elder Brother of a Houfe depending on his Efiate, is either indulged by Parents, or gives up himfelf to an indolent Humour, that his Soul in his Body, like a Sword in the Scabbard, rufis for want of life, thinking' his Efiate fuflicient to gentilize him, if he have but only the Accompliihment of a Fox-Hunter , or a Country Juftice ; the Younger Brother being put to his fhifts, having no Inheritance to depend upon, by plying his Studies hard at Home, and accompliihing himfelf by Travels Abroad, oftentimes, either by Arts or Arms , raifes himfelf to a confpicuous pitch of Honour, and fo becomes much the better Gentleman."
• Divers Proverbs , Nathan Bailey, 1721 [ 4 ]
• "You can pull and pull, but you can't milk a bull."
• Thomas Froncek (1970). The Horizon book of the arts of Russia . American Heritage Pub. Co.. p. 144.  
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1356" . Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs . II . p. 1040. ISBN 978-1-136-78971-7 .  
• "If there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do us no harm."
• "Fearless" Motivation
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "coward" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 155. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "Those that are above business."
• Mathew Henry, Commentaries, Matthew XX. in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 85-87.
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• " With some notable exceptions, businessmen favor free enterprise in general but are opposed to it when it comes to themselves. "
• Lecture "The Suicidal Impulse of the Business Community" (1983); cited in Filters Against Folly (1985) by Garrett Hardin ISBN 067080410X
• "Matters that are of general concern, but are the responsibility of nobody in particular, tend to get neglected because everybody thinks that somebody else should deal with them."
• Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages . p. 116.  
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 333. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 11 June 2013 .  
• "All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action."
• James Russell Lowell , Literary Essays , Volume II (1870-1890), "Rousseau and the Sentimentalists".
• V. Cordry, Harold (2015). The Multicultural Dictionary of Proverbs: Over 20,000 Adages from More Than 120 Languages, Nationalities and Ethnic Groups . p. 171. ISBN 978-1-4766-0735-1 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 124. ISBN 9511109618
• Herrero Ruiz, Javier (2009). Understanding Tropes: At the Crossroads Between Pragmatics and Cognition . Peter Lang. p. 101. 3631592620.  
• Alternate form: If you buy cheap, you buy twice.
• Burch, Geoff (2010). Irresistible Persuasion: The Secret Way to Get to Yes Every Time . John Wiley and Sons. p. 138. 190731248X.  
• Heywood, John (1546). A dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the prouerbes in the englishe tongue; compacte in a matter concernyng two maner of mariages . Early English books, 1475-1640, 134:9. T. Berthelet . OCLC 1049081906 .  
• Davies, John (1611). The scourge of folly. : Consisting of satyricall epigramms, and others in honor of many noble and worthy persons of our land. Together, with a pleasant (though discordant) descant vpon most English prouerbes: and others. . E[dward] A[llde] . OCLC 228716596 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 467
• Groft, Jan (2010). As We Grieve: Discoveries of Grace in Sorrow . Greenleaf Book Group. p. 19. 0984230602.  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 70
• "A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else."
• John Burroughs
• Henry George Bohn, A Hand-book of Proverbs (1875) p. 390
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 71
• "I am firmly convinced, as I have already said, that to effect any great social improvement, it is sympathy rather than self-interest, the sense of duty rather than the desire for self-advancement, that must be appealed to. Envy is akin to admiration, and it is the admiration that the rich and powerful excite which secures the perpetuation of aristocracies."
• Henry George , Social Problems , Chapter 21: Conclusion (1883).
• Carew Hazlitt, William (1869). English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases: Collected from the Most Authentic Sources . p. 5.  
• "One is often reluctant to take the risk, or to do the necessary worked involved in doing/getting something desirable.".
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "X" . European Proverbs in 55 Languages with Equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . p. 346. ISBN 978-1-875943-44-9 .  
• Trapp, John (1650). Solomonis Panaretos: Commentarie Upon the Books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs . p. 128.  
• "Inquisitiveness – or a desire to find about something – can lead you into trouble."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 9 August 2013 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 81
• Anand Prahlad, Sw.; Prahlad, S. W. (1996). African-American Proverbs in Context . p. 216. ISBN 978-0-87805-890-7 .  
• The more you stroke the cat's tail, the more he raises his back. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1184)
• "In the absence of the person in authority those under his control will often neglect the duties/rules imposed on them." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 114)
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 66, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• "A weak part or member will affect the success or effectiveness of the whole."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 31 July 2013 .  
• Cf. Thomas Reid Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man , 1786, Vol. II, p.377, Essay VII, Of Reasoning, and of Demonstration , ch. 1: "In every chain of reasoning, the evidence of the last conclusion can be no greater than that of the weakest link of this chain, whatever may be the strength of the rest." [ 5 ]
• Charity begins at home. (14th century)
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 188, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• Miserrima est fortuna quæ inimico caret.
• "That is a very wretched fortune which has no enemy."
• Syrus, Maxims
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 97
• "A child's character is an indication of the type of adult he or she will become – human nature does not change from youth to maturity."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 388. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 1 August 2013 .  
• The original version of this quote is "The child is father of the man" from William Wordsworth's poem "My Heart Leaps up When I Behold". See http://www.bartleby.com/145/ww194.html Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote a poem in answer to Wordsworth's use of this phrase, and uses the quote as given here on wikiquote. See http://www.bartleby.com/122/68.html
• "Children are bound to cause their parents anxiety, and may or may not also bring them joy."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 2 August 2013 .  
• Belfour, John (1812). "C" . A Complete Collection of English Proverbs: Also, the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and Other Languages, the Whole Methodically Digested and Illustrated with Annotations, and Proper Explications . G. Cowie. p. 4.  
• Spare the rod, spoil the child.
• Ray, John (1742). A Complete Collection of English Proverbs: Also the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish and Other Languages .̤ . p. 152.  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 161. ISBN 9511109618
• Henry George Bohn; John Ray (1855). A Hand-book of Proverbs: Comprising Ray's Collection of English Proverbs, with His Additions from Foreign Languages. And a Complete Alphabetical Index .  

Circumstance

• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 125. ISBN 9511109618
• "Clothes not only enhance appearance but also aim to accredit you to some particular audience."
• Philip L. Wagner (1 January 2010). "Show and Tell" . Showing Off: The Geltung Hypothesis . University of Texas Press. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-292-77388-2 .  
• George Latimer Apperson (May 2006). Dictionary of Proverbs . Wordsworth Editions. p. 240. ISBN 978-1-84022-311-8 .  
• A pointless exercise. An example would be customers already having enough of what you are selling at a market fair.
• "Newcastle upon Tyne" , Encyclopædia Britannica
• Whiting, Bartlett Jere (1977). Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . Harvard University Press. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 .  

Cobbler/ Shoemaker

• "Working hard for others one may neglect one's own needs or the needs of those closest to him." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 65).
• "How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live."
• Henry David Thoreau Journals (1838-1859)
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 723
• "Children generally follow the example of their parents, but imitate their faults more surely than their virtues."
• Proverbs of All Nations . W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). 1859. p. 27.  
• Counsel is no command. (Strauss, 1994 p. 675)
• Who has not served cannot command. (Strauss, 1994 p. 758)
• From Voltaire's Dictionnaire philosophique portatif (1765)
• Paraphrased by graphic designers as 'Comic Sans is not so comic'.
• Res est ingeniosa dare.
• "Giving requires good sense."
• Ovid , Amorum (16 BC), I. 8. 62.
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 125
• Better to be alone than in bad company. (Strauss, 1998 p. 162)
• "A Platonic friendship is perhaps only possible when one or other of the Platonists is in love with a third person."
• Evelyn Beatrice Hall, The Friends of Voltaire (1906)
• William Ickes, P. D., & Ickes, W. K. (2004). Two's Company; Three's a Crowd : Booksurge Llc.
• "If you compare yourdelf with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself."
• Max Ehrmann, Desiderata (1927)
• "As is our confidence, so is our capacity."
• William Hazlitt, Characteristics (1823).
• "People who know they have done wrong reveal their guilt by the things they say or the way they interpret what other people say."
• Source for meaning Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "The only valid question is: Does it work?"
• Guy Kawasaki, Silicon Valley Bank's CEO Summit (2011)
• John Ray; John Belfour (1813). A complete collection of English proverbs: also, the most celebrated proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and other languages .  
• Plough deep while sluggards sleep, and you will have corn to sell and keep. (Strauss 1994, p. 1001)
• Gnomologia: Adagies and Proverbs; Wise Sentences and Witty Sayings, Ancient and Modern, Foreign and British . B. Barker ... and A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch. 1732. p. 44.  
• Give neither salt nor counsel till you are asked for it. (Strauss, 1994 p. 661)
• "If you've got an idea that you genuinely think is good, don't let some idiot talk you out of it."
• Stan Lee, UCLA Extension certificate graduation ceremony (2017)
• Selden, John (1689). Table Talk: Being the Discourses . T. White. p. 175.  
• Ward, Caroline (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 74.  
• "Let us not pretend to doubt in philosophy what we do not doubt in our hearts."
• Charles Sanders Pierce, Collected Papers (1931-1958)
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 92. ISBN 9511109618
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 93. ISBN 9511109618
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 91. ISBN 9511109618
• Courage lost, all lost. (Strauss 1994, p. 675)
• "Do not neglect to give people the praise they deserve, or to acknowledge the good things they do."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 101. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "The Thief is sorry he is to be hanged, but not that he is a Thief."
• Bryan, George B.; Mieder, Wolfgang (2005). "crocodile" . A Dictionary of Anglo-American Proverbs & Proverbial Phrases, Found in Literary Sources of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries . p. 183.  
• "One belonging to a group having common interests is not likely to act against or find fault with another member of the same group. Solidarity may prevail over law , justice or truth ."
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "13" . European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 96. ISBN 1-875943-44-7 .  
• There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip.
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 190, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• "Custom without Reason, is but an ancient Error."
• Thomas Fuller
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 50.  
• "Make sure a matter is really over before relaxing about it. Unforeseen unfavourable developments may intervene and change the expected final result."
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "X" . European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 323. ISBN 1-875943-44-7 .  
• "God made all pleasures innocent."
• Mrs. Norton, Lady of La Garaye, Part I.
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "910" . Dictionary of European proverbs . II . Routledge. p. 765. ISBN 978-0-415-10381-7 . Retrieved on 28 December 2013 .  
• "If today was your last day. Could you say goodbye to yesterday?"
• Chad Kroeger, the Nickelback song "If today was your last day " (2008)
• Wolfgang Mieder (2008). "Proverbs Speak Louder Than Words": Folk Wisdom in Art, Culture, Folklore, History, Literature and Mass Media . Peter Lang. p. 266. ISBN 978-1-4331-0378-0 .  
• Originally stated by John Manyard Keynes in his book from 1922.
• Doyle, Charles Clay; Mieder, Wolfgang; Shapiro, Fred R. (2012). "R" . Dictionary of Modern Proverbs . p. 214. ISBN 0300136021 .  
• Wolfgang Mieder; Stewart A. Kingsbury; Kelsie B. Harder (1992). A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press, USA. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "The more of the context of a problem that a scientist can comprehend, the greater are his chances of finding a truly adequate solution ."
• Russell L. Ackoff , The development of operations research as a science (1956)
• "You are more likely to win if you take the initiative and make an attack rather than preparing to defend yourself."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 30 June 2013 .  
• "To live every day as if it had been stolen from death, that is how I would like to live."
• Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain (2008)
• "Hesitation or procrastination may lead to trouble or disaster."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 10 August 2013 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 102. ISBN 9511109618
• "If a man cannot find ease within himself, it is to little purpose to seek it anywhere else."
• Maturin Murray Ballou, Ballou's Monthly Magazine (1855)
• Henry George Bohn; John Ray (1855). A Hand-book of Proverbs: Comprising Ray's Collection of English Proverbs, with His Additions from Foreign Languages. And a Complete Alphabetical Index . G. Bell. p. 355.  
• "Evil will never triumph if all temptations are rejected."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. pp. 493–. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett (1989). "Devil" . Modern Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings . p. 161. ISBN 978-0-674-58053-4 .  
• "A woman's advice is not worth much, but he who does not heed it is a fool."
• Pedro Calderon , El Medico de su Honra . (1637)
• Martin H. Manser (2009). The Facts on File Dictionary of Allusions . Infobase Publishing. p. 337. ISBN 978-0-8160-7105-0 .  
• Lowry, Lois (1980). Autumn street . Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 59. ISBN 0395278120 .  
• von Düringsfeld, Ida (1875). "440 Teufel" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend . II . p. 245.  
• Talk of the devil and he's sure to appear.
• "Very seldom does any good thing arise but there comes an ugly phantom of a caricature of it."
• Proverbs of All Nations . W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). 1859. p. 130.  
• "He who intends to harm others will himself suffer from his action. - As anger is blind, some aspects of an action - harmful for the doer - may be overlooked in the process."(Paczolay, 1997 p. 77)
• An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit. (Mieder 2006, p. 906) [ specific citation needed ]
• "He's a Fool that cannot conceal his Wisdom."
• Benjamin Franklin, Poor Rickards Almanack (1745)
• Derived from "The better part of valour is discretion, in the which better part I have saved my life." Falstaff in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1 .
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 11 August 2013 .  
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 56, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• "Drastic action is called for – and justified – when you find yourself in a particularly difficult situation."
• "Better put an end to a troublesome business than to be always vex'd with it."
• James Kelly (1818). A Complete Collection of Scottish Proverbs Explained and Made Intelligible to the English Reader . Rodwell and Martin. p. 35.  
• "Judges ought to be more learned than witty, more reverend than plausible, and more advised than confident. Above all things, integrity is their portion and proper virtue."
• Francis Bacon, Essays (1825), Of Judicature.
• Based on the Bible (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31). "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets" in the King James version; "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." in the New International Version
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 139
• "Well done" is better than "well said".
• Ray, John (1737). A Compleat Collection of English Proverbs;: Also the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and Other Languages. : The Whole Methodically Digested and Illustrated with Annotations, and Proper Explications . p. 119.  
• Huler, Scott (1999). From Worst to First: Behind the Scenes of Continental's Remarkable Comeback . John Wiley & Sons. p. 200. 0471356522.  
• A staff is quickly found to beat a dog. (Strauss, 1998 p. 103)
• Caroline Ward (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 6.  
• "Threatening does not always lead to action: Harsh words may disguise a different feeling, intention or ability." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 44)
• Brag is a good dog, but holdfast is better.
• Cameron Jibril "Wiz Khalifa" Thomaz, Twitter (08 may 2019)
• Divers Proverbs , Nathan Bailey, 1721. 4
• The dogs bark but the caravan passes on. (Strauss, 1998 p. 340)
• Dogs wags their tails, not as much to you as to your bread. (Strauss, 1994 p. 710)
• "Once somebody's reputation has been damaged – for example, by rumor or slander – it will never recover."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Clarke, Nick (1865). Alistair Cooke: a biography . Routledge. p. 174. 1420931989.  
• "One who intends some unjust action will try to justify it in advance."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• If you lie down with dogs, you'll get up with fleas.
• "The extreme folly of going into bad company, has been the theme of public teachers in all ages and countries. Although we may not go to the excesses of others, yet still, as a general truth we become assimilated in spirit with those with whom we associate ourselves, imperceptible it may be to our own minds, but no less true."
• John Warner Barber (1855). The Hand Book of Illustrated Proverbs: Comprising Also a Selection of Approved Proverbs of Various Nations and Languages, Ancient and Modern . Bradley. p. 116.  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . p. 224.  
• Anonymous American proverb; this has often been attributed to Mark Twain since at least 1998 on the internet, but no contemporary evidence of Twain ever using it has been located.
• "Stub Ends of Thoughts" by Arthur G. Lewis, a collection of sayings, in Book of the Royal Blue Vol. 14, No. 7 (April 1911), as cited in The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs , edited by Charles Clay Doyle, Wolfgang Mieder, and Fred R. Shapiro, p. 232
• Anonymous quote in the evening edition of the East Oregonian (20 April 1911)
• Dwight D. Eisenhower , declaring his particular variant on the proverbial assertion in Remarks at Republican National Committee Breakfast (31 January 1958)
• Bernard of Clairvaux attests in the 12th century this was a common proverb, In Festo Sancti Michaelis , Sermo 1, sect. 3; translation from Richard Chevenix Trench, Archbishop of Dublin, On the Lessons in Proverbs ([1853] 1856) p. 148
• Also reported in English by John Heywood , Proverbs (1546), Part II, chapter 9; and by Thomas Fuller , Gnomologia (1732), No. 3292
• Iles, Greg (2007). Third Degree . Simon and Schuster. p. 159. 0743292502.  
• Borcherdt, Bill (1996). Making families work and what to do when they don't: thirty guides for imperfect parents of imperfect children . Routledge. p. 65. 0789000733.  
• "When baffled in one direct a man of energy will not despair, but will find another way to his object."
• Proverbs of All Nations . W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). 1859. p. 67.  
• When in doubt, don't. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1223)
• "If you are unsure what to do, it is best to do nothing at all."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 296. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "It was queer. All over England young men were eating their hearts out for lack of jobs, and here was he, Gordon, to whom the very word 'job' was faintly nauseous, having jobs thrust unwanted upon him. It was an example of the fact that you can get anything in this world if you genuinely don't want."
• George Orwell, Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1936)
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "dream 5." . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 83. ISBN 9511109618
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 110. ISBN 9511109618
• "A drop hollows out the stone by falling not twice, but many times; so too is a person made wise by reading not two, but many book s."
• ( Giordano Bruno , Il Candelaio )
• Ward, Caroline (1842). National proverbs in the principal languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 2.  
• Once a drunkard always a drunkard. (Strauss, 1994 p. 771)
• "It is usually safe to identify somebody as a particular type of person when his or her appearance, behavior, and words all point to the same conclusion."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Reportedly coined by James Whitcombe Riley , sometime before his demise 1916. He wrote: When I see a bird that walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck.
• Made famous by the then Governor Ronald Reagan 's use of the expression 1967, in an interview with a journalist. (Cryer 2011, p. 163)
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 163
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 156. ISBN 9511109618
• "A lifestyle that involves neither staying up late nor sleeping late is good for body and mind and leads to financial success."
• Benjamin Franklin , Poor Richard's Almanack (1735 edition), "October"
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 101. ISBN 9511109618
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett (1989). Modern Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings . ISBN 978-0-674-58053-4 .  
• R. Stone, Jon (27 September 2006). "Drink" . The Routledge Book of World Proverbs . p. 116. ISBN 978-1-135-87054-6 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (2014). Behold the Proverbs of a People: Proverbial Wisdom in Culture, Literature, and Politics . p. 128. ISBN 978-1-62674-303-8 .  

Eavesdropper

• "People who eavesdrop on the conversations of others risk hearing unfavorable comments about themselves; used as a warning or reprimand."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 171. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "250" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . I . Routledge. p. 238. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• "It is said, that the thing you possess is worth more than two you may have in the future . The one is sure and the other is not."
• Jean de La Fontaine, Fables, V. 3.
• (Strauss, 1998 p. 75)
• "Spread your risks or investments so that if one enterprise fails you will not lose everything."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 18 August 2013 .  
• First recorded 1662, G. Toriano, Italian proverbial phrases ("To put all one's eggs in a paniard"); 1710, Samuel Palmer, Moral essays on proverbs ("Don't venture all your eggs in one basket").
• Apperson, GL (2006). Dictionary of proverbs . Wordsworth. p. 170. ISBN 978-1840223118 .  
• Eggs and oaths are soon broken. (Strauss, 1998 p. 765)
• He that steals an egg will steal an ox. (Strauss, 1994 p. 962)
• "Sacrifices have to be made in order to achieve a goal; often used to justify an act that causes loss, harm, or distress to others."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 313. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 259
• Belfour, John (1812). "E" . A Complete Collection of English Proverbs: Also, the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and Other Languages, the Whole Methodically Digested and Illustrated with Annotations, and Proper Explications . p. 104.  
• "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."
• George S. Patton War As I Knew It (1947)
• Do not think that one enemy is insignificant, or that a thousand friends are too many. (Strauss 1994, p. 71)
• "Those who dislike or oppose the same person or thing are bound to be friends or allies."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 8 September 2013 .  
• "Envy is a kind of praise."
• John Gay,  The Hound and the Huntsman
• Emanuel Strauss (1994). "1292" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . Taylor & Francis. p. 1008. ISBN 978-0-415-10381-7 .  
• Ambrose Bierce THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY (1991)
• There is no little enemy. (Strauss 1994, p. 718)
• "Every man knows there are evils in this world which need setting right. Every man has pretty definite ideas as what these evils are. But to most men one in particular stands out vividly. To some, in fact, this stands out with such startling vividness that they lose sight of other evils, or look upon them as the natural consequence of their own particular evil-in-chief."
• Henry Hazlitt , Thinking As A Science (1916).
• Specified as a proverb in "73" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 300.  
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 63, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 115
• Hislop, Alexander (1868). The Proverbs of Scotland . A. Hislop. p. 90.  
• Bradley, E. and H. Bradley, Every Rose Has Its Thorn: The Rock 'n' Roll Field Guide to Guys , Penguin Group USA.

Everyone/Everybody

• Die Philosophen haben die Welt nur verschieden interpretirt; es kommt aber darauf an, sie zu verändern. [ 6 ]
• "The philosophers have only interpreted the world , in various ways. The point, however, is to change it."
• Karl Marx "Theses on Feuerbach " (1845), Thesis 11, Marx Engels Selected Works,(MESW), Volume I, p. 15; these words are also engraved upon his grave.
• First published as an appendix to the pamphlet Ludwig Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy by Friedrich Engels (1886)
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.  
• What everybody says must be true. (Strauss 1994, p. 77)
• Avoid evil and it will avoid thee. (Strauss, 1994 p. 520)
• John Deane, John Deane (1891). Proverbs . p. 207.  
• "If you are forced to choose between two options, both of which are undesirable, all you can do is choose the one that is less undesirable than the other."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 3 August 2013 .  
• Note: From Matthew 6:34
• George Smith, William; Harvey, Paul (1960). The Oxford Dictionary of English Proverbs . p. 182.  
• (Ward, 1842 p. 31)
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 53, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• "I've never set out to teach anyone anything. It's been more of an expression of my views and feelings than sitting down and deciding "What is today's message ?" And I do think that, although I never, again, sat down consciously and thought about this, I do think judging, even for my own daughter, that children respond to that than to 'thought for the day'."
• J.K Rowling, Interview by Lizo Mzimba (February 2003) [ specific citation needed ]
• Speake, Jennifer (2015). Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 101. ISBN 978-0-19-105959-9 .  
• The eye looks but it is the mind that sees. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1175)
• Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. (Strauss 1998, p. 713)
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 354. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 25 September 2013 .  
• "Rumors are rarely without substance, and if unpleasant things are being said about somebody, then that person has propably done something to deserve them."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 4 August 2013 .  
• Mason, John (2000). Know Your Limits- Then Ignore Them . Insight International, Inc. pp. 206. ISBN 1890900125 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 153
• Suomi-englanti-suomi-sanakirja, Sanoma Pro Oy, Helsinki, 2000, p. 280, ISBN 978-952-63-0663-6
• Originally Francis Bacon Nil terribile nisi ipse timor.
• Nothing is terrible except fear itself.
• De Augmentis Scientiarum , Book II, Fortitudo (1623)
• Became famous with the words being uttered at Franklin D. Roosevelt's inauguration speech 1933.
• If you see what is right and fail to act on it, you lack courage.
• Confucius, The Analects
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). "only" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 216. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Walter Keith (1980). The Fizz Inside: Critical Essays of a Lighter Kind . University of Waterloo Press. p. 23.  
• Robert Frost , "Mending Wall"
• Ray, John (1670). A Collection of English Proverbs: Digested Into a Convenient Method for the Speedy Finding Anyone Upon Occasion; with Short Annotations. Whereunto are Added Local Proverbs with Their Explications, Old Proverbial Rhythmes, Less Known Or Exotic Proverbial Sentences, and Scottish Proverbs . p. 90.  
• Stuckey Lean, Vincent (1969). "Health" . Lean's Collectanea; Collections ... of Proverbs: (English & Foreign), Folk Lore, and Superstitions, Also Compilations Towards Dictionaries of Proverbial Phrases and Words, Old and Disused . p. 506.  
• "Those who don't know how to weep with their whole heart don't know how to laugh either."
• Golda Meir , in an interview with Oriana Fallaci published in Ms. magazine (April 1973)
• " Economy is the art of making the most of life. The love of economy is the root of all virtue."
• George Bernard Shaw, p. 235 Man and Superman (1903)
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "Do not be discouraged by failure, and never give up – if you keep trying you will ultimately enjoy success."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no point in being a damn fool about it."
• W. C. Fields
• Cf. William Edward Hickson's Try and Try again "Tis a lesson you should heed: Try, try, try again. If at first you don't succeed, Try, try, try again"
• The last will be first, and the first last. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1085)
• Lipper, D. and E. Sagehorn (2008). The Everything Wedding Vows Book: How to Personalize the Most Important Promise You'll Ever Make , Adams Media.
• Christian New Testament
• Mass, W. (2008). Jeremy Fink and the meaning of life, Scholastic.
• "Somebody who has had an unpleasant experience thereafter shrinks from the cause of that experience."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 30 July 2013 .  
• "This Proverb intimates, That it is natural for all living Creatures, whether rational or irrational, to consult their own Security, and Self-Preservation; and whether they act by Instinct or Reason, it still tends to some care of avoiding those things that have already done them an Injury." - Divers Proverbs , Nathan Bailey, 1721 [ 7 ]
• "One should not make a bad situation even worse by an improper remark." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 338)
• "Let him fry in his own Grease."

(Strauss 1994, p. 688)

• "The best way to deal with an opponent is to fight back with similar weapons or tactics."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "There is no effect without some cause. also It is supposed that if there is a rumour, there must be some truth behind it."
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "1" . European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 33. ISBN 1-875943-44-7 .  
• "Look round the habitable world: how few Know their own good, or knowing it, pursue."
• John Dryden, Juvenal, Satire X (1693).
• Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages . p. 4.  
• The earliest known version is from Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie , Mrs. Dymond (1885 novel): "I don't suppose even Caron could tell you the difference between material and spiritual,[...] but I suppose the Patron meant that if you give a man a fish he is hungry again in an hour. If you teach him to catch a fish you do him a good turn. But these very elementary principles are apt to clash with the leisure of the cultivated classes."
• "The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don't tell you what to see."
• Linda Star, Are You the Result of Your Past?: Be Careful with What Seeds You Allow to Take Root in the Garden of Your Heart (2017)
• Gregory Graham (14 January 2016). A Conservative's Book of Proverbs, Parables, and Prophecies . p. 83. ISBN 978-1-68213-972-1 .  
• "Many are accustomed to envy others for their rare acquisitions, while they themselves have equal opportunity of obtaining the same. They ought to be satisfied that as good advantages are equally accessible to them as others, and remember the significant saying, that 'Man is the architect of his own fortune.'"
• Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 192.  
• Jenkins-Sanders, Marsha (2007). The Other Side of Through . Simon and Schuster. p. 21. ISBN 159309115X .  
• "Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows. Let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances."
• Tzu, Sun (̃¨ 400 B.C). "VI. Weak Points and Strong" . The Art of War .  
• John Ayto (8 July 2010). Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms . Oxford University Press. p. 133. ISBN 0-19-954378-X .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 163. ISBN 9511109618
• Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages . p. 100.  
• Emanuel Strauss (1994). "137" . Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs . Routledge. p. 102. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6 .  
• Emanuel Strauss. Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs .  
• " FASHION - n . A despot whom the wise ridicule and obey ."
• Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary (1906)
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "fool, 120" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 349. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "I have to live for others and not for myself ; that's middle-class morality."
• George Bernard Shaw , Pygmalion (1912)
• Whiting, Bartlett Jere (1977). "F231" . Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . Harvard University Press. p. 161. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 .  
• The first chapter of fools is to think themselves wise. (Strauss, 1994 p. 879)
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "147" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . I . Routledge. p. 139. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "fool" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press, USA. pp. 353–. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "Wisdom precludes boldness."
• Patrick Rothfuss , The Name of the Wind . (2007)
• Alexander Pope , "An Essay on Criticism"
• Caroline Ward (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 50.  
• "The world is made up, for the most part, of fools and knaves , both irreconcilable foes to truth ."
• George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham , "Letter to Mr. Clifford, on his Human Reason "; also in The Works of His Grace, George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham (London: T. Evans, 1770) vol. 2, p. 105.
• A tongue of a fool carves a piece of his heart to all sit near him. (Strauss, 1994 p. 136)
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "163" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 351. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "It is foolish to persist in the same opinion or course of action regardless of new information or different circumstances."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 304. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "401" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . I . Routledge. p. 364. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  

Forgiveness

• Meaning: "Do not bear grudges—forgive those who have wronged you and forget the wrong."
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 357
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 20. ISBN 9511109618
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1281" . Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs . II . Routledge. pp. 769–770. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6 .  
• "This is spoken in derision to those which have great expectation from some fond design or undertaking which is not likely to succeed."
• John Ray (1737). A compleat Collection of English Proverbs, also the most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish and other Languages . Hughs. p. 110.  
• Herbert, George (1651). "A" . Jacula Prudentum: Outlandish Proverbs, selected by Mr. G. H erbert . p. 8.  
• Specified as a proverb in "13" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 402.  
• "I never knew any man in my life, who could not bear another's misfortunes perfectly like a Christian."
• Alexander Pope . See Jonathan Swift 's Thoughts on Various Subjects .
• Specified as a proverb in "16" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 402.  
• A Dialogue Conteynyng Prouerbes and Epigrammes (1562) has Prove thy friend ere thou have need; but, in-deed. A friend is never known till a man have need.
• "You can always tell a real friend: when you've made a fool of yourself, he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job."
• Esar, Evan (1995). "Friend" . 20,000 Quips & Quotes . p. 330. ISBN 978-1-56619-529-4 .  
• Specified as a proverb in "36" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 403.  
• "48" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 404.  
• "42" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 403.  
• "In one hand he is carrying a stone, while he shows the bread with the other."
• Plautus , Aulularia (c. 2nd-3rd century BC), Act II, sc. 2, l. 18
• "But if he does not love me and also praises me falsely, he must certainly be either flattering or deriding me."
• Erasmus, Desiderius (1974). "To Johannes Sixtinius 1499" . Collected Works of Erasmus: Correspondence . p. 223. ISBN 978-0-8020-1981-3 .  
• "Be silent and safe—silence never betrays you; Be true to your word and your work and your friend Put least trust in him who is foremost to praise you, Nor judge of a road till it draw to the end."
• John Boille O'Reilly Rules of the Road (1878)
• "57" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 404.  
• "Mens friends commonly bear a proportion to their circumstances iu the world. And therefore if we be such friends to as to make our circumstances easy and plentiful we will not want friends."
• James Kelly (1818). "B" . A Complete Collection of Scottish Proverbs Explained and Made Intelligible to the English Reader .   and quotes (1995)
• "When you lose a friend by lending him some money, you get the best of the bargain."
• Evan Essar, 20. 000 Quips and Quotes (1995)
• Specified as a proverb in "73" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 402.  
• Do not think that one enemy is insignificant, or that a thousand friends are too many. (Strauss 1994, p. 718)
• " ADMONITION ~n. "Gentle reproof, as with a meat-axe. Friendly warning. Consigned by way of admonition, His soul forever to perdition."
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "hatchet" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 465. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Specified as a proverb in "87" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 406.  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "Friends, 74" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press, USA. p. 371. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "Those who love their neighbor as themselves possess nothing more than their neighbor."
• Basil of Caesarea , Homily to the Rich (c. 368), in Saint Basil on Social Justice , edited and translated by C. P. Schroeder (2009), p. 43
• Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations . W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). pp. 238.   , p. 42
• "The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity."
• Attributed to Ulysses S. Grant
• Specified as a proverb in "112" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 407.  
• Specified as a proverb in "140" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 409.  
• "Be a friend. You don't need money: Just a disposition sunny; Just the wish to help another Get along some way or other; Just a kindly hand extended Out to one who's unbefriended."
• Edgar Guest, Be a Friend
• Carew Hazlitt, William (1882). English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases: Collected from the Most Authentic Sources, Alphabetically Arranged, and Annotated . p. 251.  
• Specified as a proverb in "169" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 411.  
• James Kelly (1818). "B" . A Complete Collection of Scottish Proverbs Explained and Made Intelligible to the English Reader .  
• "It is something that grows over time... a true friendship. A feeling in the heart that becomes even stronger through time...The passion of friendship will soon blossom into a righteous power and through it, you'll know which way to go..."
• Shigeru Miyamoto , "Shiek", The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
• Ward, Caroline (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . p. 151.  
• Der Mensch der Erkenntniss muss nicht nur seine Feinde lieben, er muss auch seine Freunde hassen können.
• "The knight of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies, but also to hate his friends."
• Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for All and None (1885)
• "A man is morally free when... he judges the world, and judges other men, with uncompromising sincerity. This is not just an aim but an obligation."
• Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (2012)
• "Things that you must not have or do are always the most desirable."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Note: A reversal of the proverb "The apple does not fall far from the tree." The meaning is that you can estimate how children's parents are based on children's behavior, because children take after their parents and are of the same nature as them. (Paczolay, 1997 p. X)
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 590)
• "'A person or machine provided with inferior source material, faulty instructions, or erroneous information can provide only poor quality-work or rubbish."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "That is, both at a distance seem something, but, when narrowly inspected, are nothing."
• James Kelly (1818). A Complete Collection of Scottish Proverbs Explained and Made Intelligible to the English Reader . Rodwell and Martin. p. 12.  
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 365
• Said by Thomas Edison ,
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .   lists the adage as a proverb.
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 61. ISBN 9511109618
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 60. ISBN 9511109618
• From those to whom much is given, much is expected. (Luke 12:48
• "Exchanging like for like – wether it be a blow, an insult, a favor, or a pardon is a fair and legitimate way to proceed".
• "Just as being nice to the arrogant is no better than being arrogant toward the nice; being accommodating toward anyone committing a nefarious action condones it."
• Manser, Martin H (2007). The Facts on File dictionary of proverbs . Infobase Publishing. 0816066736.   , p. 133
• From Luke 6:38
• Derived from Romans 13:7
• "Give way slightly and he'll press home his advantage. Yielding a little to bad influence ( or to a greedy perrson/group), one will be taken entirely or he/it will be encouraged to take much more." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 208)
• Twain, Mark (1885). Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . Charles L. Webster and Company. p. 222 (EBook).  
• (Strauss 1998, p. 240)
• "Immediate aid is of more value. - A process of derogation can best be stopped in its initial stages, or a process of development can best be helped in the beginning." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 452)
• Follow glory and it will flee, flee glory and it will follow thee. (Strauss 1994, p. 832)
• "When Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House, he confessed that if he could be right 75 percent of the time, he would reach the highest measure of his expectation. If that was the highest rating that one of the most distinguished men of the twentieth century could hope to obtain, what about you and me? If you can be sure of being right only 55 percent of the time, you can go down to Wall Street and make a million dollars a day. If you can't be sure of being right even 55 percent of the time, why should you tell other people they are wrong?"
• Dale Carnegie, How to make friends and influence people (1936)
• "It is better to decide a difference between enemies than friends, for one of our friends will certainly become an enemy and one of our enemies a friend."
• Anand Prahlad, Sw; Prahlad, S. W. (1996). African-American Proverbs in Context . Univ. Press of Mississippi. p. 181. ISBN 978-0-87805-890-7 .  
• "All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies."
• Dr. John Arbuthnot as quoted in Hoyts New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1922).
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. X. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• George Latimer Apperson (2006). "Going" . Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 237. ISBN 978-1-84022-311-8 .  
• God heals, and the doctor takes the fee. (1640)
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 106. ISBN 9511109618
• "You can have the other words— chance, luck, coincidence,serendipity. I'll take grace."
• Mary Oliver, Winter Hours (1999)
• "Sometimes, you need a door slammed in your face before you can hear opportunity knock."
• James Geary, My Aphorisms , (2009)
• Select Proverbs . Mustafa Akkus. 23 December 2013. pp. 15–. GGKEY:UBW9H94680W.  
• Mary Oliver , Winter Hours (1999)
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 108. ISBN 9511109618
• "Someone can conquer kingdoms and countries without being a hero; someone else can prove himself a hero by controlling his temper. Someone can display courage by doing the out-of-the-ordinary, another by doing the ordinary. The question is always-how does he do it?"
• Soren Kierkegaard Either/Or Part II , (1843)
• "An attractive appearance may be deceptive. It may cover or hide a much less favourable content."
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "19" . European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 125. ISBN 1-875943-44-7 .  
• Ward, Caroline (1842). National proverbs in the principal languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 114.  
• William Shakespeare , The Merchant of Venice , act II, scene 7.
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "good" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 415. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "All the things I really like to do are either illegal, immoral, or fattening."
• Alexander Woollcott, "The Knock at the Stage Door" in Reader's Digest (December 1933); also in A Dictionary of Catch Phrases : British and American, from the Sixteenth Century to the Present Day (1986) by Eric Partridge and Paul Beale, ISBN 041505916X , ISBN 9780415059169
• Doyle, Charles Clay; Mieder, Wolfgang; Shapiro, Fred R. (2012). "G, Good" . Dictionary of Modern Proverbs . p. 106. ISBN 0300136021 .  
• Speake, Jennifer (2008). "sound" . A Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 632. ISBN 978-0-19-158001-7 .  
• Speake, Jennifer; Simpson, J. A. (2015). "good" . The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs . Oxford University Press. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-19-873490-1 .  
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett (1989). Modern Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings . p. 263. ISBN 978-0-674-58053-4 .  
• "Rich. 65" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages . 1888. p. 212.  
• It is often the expensive product which ultimately costs the least, because of the pleasure and usefulness it brings us.
• "Take care not to destroy something valuable, such as a source of steady income, through greed, impatience, or a desire for instant gain."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 17 August 2013 .  
• "This proverb imitates that an inbred Philauty runs through the whole Race of Flefh and Blood. It blinds the Underftanding, perverts the Judgment, depraves the Reafon of the Diftinguishers of Truth and Falfity."
• Divers Proverbs , Nathan Bailey, 1721 [ 8 ]
• "It's funny how people get mad when you treat them the same way they treat you."
• Bill Murray, Twitter (2015)
• "What is appropriate for one person is equally appropriate for their counterpart or their critic."
• "It is not death that a man should fear, but never beginning to live."
• Marcus Aurelius , Meditations (150 BC)
• "One of the principal functions of a friend is to suffer (in a milder and more symbolic form) the punishments that we should like, but are unable, to inflict upon our enemies"
• Aldous Huxley , Brave New World (1932).
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "gossip 3" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 424. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "gossip" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 424. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "Dictators ride to and fro on tigers from which they dare not dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry."
• Winston Churchill, Armistice - or Peace (1937)
• Wolfgang Mieder (1992). A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press, USA. p. 425. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Manser, Martin H (2007). The Facts on File dictionary of proverbs . Infobase Publishing. 0816066736.   , p. 105
• Grasp all, lose all. (Strauss, 1994 p. 884)
• The Edinburgh review, Volym 132 . A. and C. Black. 1870. p. 231.  
• Great minds agree. (Strauss, 1994 p. 882)
• Albert Einstein . Buziak, Cari (2011). Calligraphy Magic: How to Create Lettering, Knotwork, Coloring and More . North Light Books. p. 79.  
• Manser, Martin H (2007). The Facts on File dictionary of proverbs . Infobase Publishing. 0816066736.   , p. 112
• Note: "This advice has its root in the story of the Trojan Horse, the treacherous subterfuge by which the Greeks finally overcame their trojan adversaries at the end of the Trojan War."
• From Virgil's Aeneid Book II, line 48: timeo Danaos et dona ferentes. Translation: I fear the Grecians even when they offer gifts.
• Wolfgang Mieder (1992). "beware" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 8. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 59, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• Fretting cares make grey hairs. (Strauss, 1994 p. 631
• "Betwixt the devil and the deep sea."
• Erasmus, Adagia, Chapter III. Cent, IV. 94.
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 447
• Bartlett Jere Whiting (1977). "H46" . Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . Harvard University Press. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 .  
• "People should be valued for their good deeds, not their good looks, also occasionally used of things, or as a warning not to be misled by an attractive appearance."
• " I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. "
• George Washington, Farewell Address (1796)
• Drumming is not the way to catch a hare. (Strauss, 1994 p. 753)
• "Concentrate on one thing at a time or you will achieve nothing. - Trying to do two or more things at a time, when even one on its own needs full effort, means that none of them will be accomplished properly."
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "X" . European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyomda. p. X. ISBN 1-875943-44-7 .  
• Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages . p. 102.  
• "Progress with discretion. Acting hastily one is likely to forget/overlook something important, leading to grave errors or failure." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 241)
• "By acting too hastily or doings too hurriedly you risk causing damage or making mistakes that subsequently have to be put right."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs . p. 121. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• He that can have patience can have what he will. (Strauss, 1994 p. 87)
• He that hath a head of wax must not walk in the sun. (Ward, 1842 p. 54)
• Ray, John (1737). "T" . A Compleat Collection of English Proverbs;: Also the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and Other Languages. : The Whole Methodically Digested and Illustrated with Annotations, and Proper Explications . p. 164.  
• Variant: You can't put an old head on young shoulders.
• "The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise."
• Alden Nowlan, Between Tears and Laughter by (1971) (Source provided by the Quote Investigator)
• When the head is sick, the whole body is sick. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1117)
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "149" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . I . Routledge. p. 140. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• Ray, John (1812). "14, Haste" . A Complete Collection of English Proverbs: Also the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and Other Languages. The Whole Methodically Digested and Illustrated with Annotations, and Proper Explanations . p. 120.  
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 273
• "We gotta make a change It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes Let's change the way we eat Let's change the way we live And let's change the way we treat each other You see the old way wasn't workin' So it's on us to do what we gotta do to survive"
• Tupac "2Pac" Shakur, Changes (1992)
• Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages . 1888. p. 489.  
• "The thing you are most afraid of may be the best thing that ever happen to you."
• Neil Strauss, Twitter (2019)
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1675" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . II . Taylor & Francis. p. 1181. ISBN 978-0-415-10381-7 .  
• Dying words as his frigate Squirrel sank in the Atlantic Ocean near the Azores, 5 August 1583. Quoted in Richard Hakluyt Third and Last Volume of the Voyages of the English Nation, 1600. Dictionary of Quotations, p. 353
• "The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people."
• G. K. Chesterton , Illustrated London News (16 July 1910)
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 117. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "This is slavery, not to speak one's thought."
• Line 392 (Jocasta); translated by Elizabeth Wyckoff; as found in Euripides IV: Helen, The Phoenician Women, Orestes, ed. Griffith, Most, Grene & Lattimore, University of Chicago Press (2013), p. 114
• Proverbs of All Nations . W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). 1859. p. 59.  
• "But these are foolish things to all the wise, And I love wisdom more than she loves me; My tendency is to philosophise On most things, from a tyrant to a tree; But still the spouseless virgin Knowledge flies, What are we? and whence come we? what shall be Our ultimate existence? What's our present? Are questions answerless, and yet incessant."
• Lord Byron , Don Juan (1818-24), Canto VI, Stanza 63
• Goldsmith, W. (1794). "Book IV, Narratives, Dialogues &c" . Elegant Extracts: OR Useful and Entertaining PASSAGES in PROSE.: Book Third & Fourth . II . p. 415.  
• "The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”
• Attributed to M. Scott Peck
• Suomi-englanti-suomi-sanakirja, Sanoma Pro Oy, Helsinki, 2000, p. 786, ISBN 978-952-63-0663-6
• Jamais on ne fait le mal si pleinement et si gaiement que quand on le fait par conscience.
• "Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it conscientiously."
• Blaise Pascal , Pensées (1669) (# 894 or 895, depending on differing editions)
• Earlier variants of this proverb are recorded as Hell is paved with good intentions. recorded as early as 1670, and an even earlier variant by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Hell is full of good intentions or desires.
• Similar from Latin: "The gates of hell are open night and day; Smooth the descent, and easy is the way" — Virgil, the Aeneid Book VI line 126
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 58, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• " Adam Ewing : We're moving back east to work with the abolitionists. Haskell Moore : That poison has rotten your brain! There is a natural order to this world, and those who try to upbend it do not fare well. This movement will never survive; if you join them you and your entire family will be shunned. At best, you will exist a pariah to be spat and beaten; at worst be lynched or crucified. And for what? No matter what you do it will never amount to anything than more than a single drop in a limitless ocean. Adam Ewing : What is an ocean but a multitude of drops?"
• Cloud Atlas (2012) Directed by Lana & Lilly Wachowski and Tom Tykwer
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 20 September 2013 .  
• "The opportunity is often lost by deliberating."
• Syrus, Maxims .
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 492
• Note: 20-20 refers to perfect vision.
• Brenner, Gail Abel (2003). Concise dictionary of European proverbs . Wiley. p. 284. 0764524771.  
• "Lack of foresight, unwillingness to act when action would be simple and effective, lack of clear thinking, confusion of counsel until the emergency comes, until self-preservation strikes its jarring gong—these are the features which constitute the endless repetition of history."
• Winston Churchill , speech, House of Commons (1935)
• Speake, Jennifer (2008). A Dictionary of Proverbs . OUP Oxford. p. 345. ISBN 978-0-19-158001-7 .  
• "When you have landed yourself in trouble, such as through a foolish remark or action, do not say or do anything to make it worse."
• As "If you are in a hole, stop digging." Moore, Merton (December 4, 1920). " Stop Digging—Climb ". Holstein-Friesian World XVII (49): 34. Retrieved on 2018-11-11.
• Variant: Stew it and it will only stink more.
• Speake, Jennifer (2008). A Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 346. ISBN 978-0-19-158001-7 .  
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett 3 (1989). "H255" . Modern Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings . p. 313. ISBN 978-0-674-58053-4 .  
• Manser, Martin H. (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 266. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "25" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 503. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 165. ISBN 9511109618
• "He deserves praise who does not what he may, but what he ought."
• Seneca , Octavia , 454.
• John Ray (1818). A compleat collection of English proverbs. To which is added, A collection of English words not generally used. Repr. verbatim from the ed. of 1768 . pp. 83–.  
• " If thy hope be any thing worth, it will purify thee from thy sins. "
• Joseph Alleine , The Solemn Warnings of the Dead: or, An Admonition to Unconverted Sinners (1804), Chapter 3, p. 44
• Henderson, Andrew (1832). Scottish proverbs, collected and arranged by A. Henderson . p. 34.  
• "Our passenger, not knowing what might happen, before he ventured out to the ocean prepared himself with a life-preserver. It was well that he had this foresight and prudence."
• Bailey, The Hand Book of Illustrated Proverbs: Comprising Also a Selection of Approved Proverbs of Various Nations and Languages, Ancient and Modern p. 11 (1855)
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 62. ISBN 9511109618
• "Usually suggesting that a person understands very well what another person is getting at as any kind of hint or gesture will suffice to communicate it."
• Source for proverb and meaning: George Latimer Apperson (May 2006). Dictionary of Proverbs . Wordsworth Editions. p. 413. ISBN 978-1-84022-311-8 . Retrieved on 16 September 2013 .  
• Note: When in water it is arduous to mount and dismount.
• "It is often wise not to quit an undertaking already begun."
• Source for proverb and meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 18 August 2013 .  
• "It is important to do the things in the right or natural order."
• Cf. Dan Michael of Northgate, Ayenbite of Inwyt (1340): "Many religious folk set the plough before the oxen ." (Middle English: "Moche uolk of religion зetteþ þe зuolз be-uore þe oksen.")
• "There is no point in indulging in wishful thinking."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 136. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "I will hear it from an authoritative or dependable source."
• Ammer, Christine (1997). The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms . Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 640. ISBN 039572774X .  
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 290
• "A present should not be criticized. It is an expression of respect and appreciation and any criticism would offend the donor. (The teeth of a horse reveal its age, i.e its real value.)"
• (Paczolay, 1997 p. 54)
• Goudreau, Colleen Patric (2011). Vegan's Daily Companion: 365 Days of Inspiration for Cooking, Eating, and Living Compassionately . Quarry Books. p. 133. 1592536794.  
• A golden bit does not make the horse any better. (Strauss, 1998 p. 52)
• Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume (1984)
• "It is so amusing the way that mortals misunderstand the shape, or shapes, of time . ... In the realms of the ultimate, each person must figure out things for themselves. ... Teachers who offer you the ultimate answers do not possess the ultimate answers, for if they did, they would know that the ultimate answers cannot be given , they can only be received."
• Medlin, Carl (2008). Second Great Reformation: Man Shall Not Live by Faith Only . Xulon Press. p. 74. 1606476459.  
• "Try not to change the world. You will fail. Try to love the world. Lo, the world is changed. Changed forever."
• Sri Chinmoy , Meditations: Food For The Soul (1970), August 31
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "703" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . II . Routledge. p. X. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  

Hospitality

• Ray, John (1812). "Proverbial Sentences H." . A Complete Collection of English Proverbs: Also the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and Other Languages. The Whole Methodically Digested and Illustrated with Annotations, and Proper Explanations . p. 12.  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 157. ISBN 9511109618
• Variation: Whose house is of glass, must not throw stones at another.
• George Herbert , Outlandish Proverbs , 1640; cited in "Proverbs 120". The Yale Book of Quotations . 2006. pp. p. 613. ISBN 0-300-10798-6 .  
• George Herbert, Jacula Prudentum , 1651, number 196
• Martin H. Manser (2007), The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs , Infobase Publishing, p. 2, ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 , retrieved on 16 June 2013  
• "Books are good enough in their own way, but they are a mighty bloodless substitute for life."
• Robert Louis Stevenson , "An Apology for Idlers", Virginibus Puerisque and Later Essays (1881), p. 80.
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "adore" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 22. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "ignorance, 26" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 541. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "There is no Man so bad, but he secretly respects the Good."
• Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1747)
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "imitation" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 544. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (2012). The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs . Yale University Press. pp. 312. ISBN 0300136021 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 588
• Iron sharpens iron. (Whiting, 1997 p. 235)
• "Take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself, before it passes away. A good opportunity is usually a rare coincidence of various factors, unlikely to be repeated." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 109)
• George Farquhar , The Beaux' Stratagem , Act IV, scene 2; reported as a proverb in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 642. Walter Scott , The Fair Maid of Perth , Chapter V. Webster , Westward Ho , III. 2. Geoffrey Chaucer , Troylus and Cresseyde , Book II, Stanza 178.
• "The ideas of economists and political philosophers , both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist or political philosopher. "
• John Maynard Keynes , The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money , (1936)
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 133
• Joy shared, joy doubled: sorrow shared, sorrow halved. (Strauss, 1994 p. 249)
• Hasty judgment leads to repentance. (Strauss, 1994 p. 196)
• Odia in longum jaciens, quæ reconderet, auctaque promeret.
• "Laying aside his resentment, he stores it up to bring it forward with increased bitterness."
• Tacitus , Annales (109) , I, 69
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "justice, 3" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 571. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "If we neglect objects of charity at home, or within the circle of our immediate acquintance, to extend our good deeds to those abroad, our sincerity, our motives, and our character, are suspected, and there is ground of suspicioun. For it is in the order of nature first to relieve, first, by our liberality, and benefactions, those connected with us - our families, and immediate neighborhood. But true charity does not end at home. The circle of its contributions, beginning at home, is ever enlarging, and if ability and means allow, even until it circumscribes the remotest bounds of earth."
• Porter, William Henry (1845). "Charity begins at home" . Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . p. 51.  
• Carew Hazlitt, William (1882). English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases: Collected from the Most Authentic Sources, Alphabetically Arranged, and Annotated . p. 259.  
• " The greatest weakness of all weaknesses is to fear too much to appear weak. "
• Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture (1709
• V. Cordry, Harold (2015). "3279" . The Multicultural Dictionary of Proverbs: Over 20,000 Adages from More Than 120 Languages, Nationalities and Ethnic Groups . p. 50. ISBN 978-1-4766-0735-1 .  
• Bohn, Henry George; Ray, John (1860). "K" . A Hand-book of Proverbs: Comprising an Entire Republication of Ray's Collection of English Proverbs, with His Additions from Foreign Languages : and an Alphabetical Index, in which are Introduced Large Additions, as Well of Proverbs as of Sayings, Sentences, Maxims, and Phrases . H.G. Bohn. p. 437.  
• " He that would live in peace & at ease, Must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees. "
• Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1736)
• Tan, Christine; Christopher, Rita (2015). "118" . The English Edge Series: Proverbs & Sayings . Pelangi ePublishing Sdn Bhd. p. 43. ISBN 978-967-431-475-0 .  
• "No man who is occupied in doing a very difficult thing, and doing it well, ever loses his self-respect."
• George Bernard Shaw, The Doctor's Dilemma (1911)
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 161. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth."
• Proverbs 17:24, (New International Version)
• Emanuel Strauss (12 November 2012). "590" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• Henry George Bohn; John Ray (1855). A Hand-book of Proverbs: Comprising Ray's Collection of English Proverbs, with His Additions from Foreign Languages. And a Complete Alphabetical Index . G. Bell. pp. 438–.  
• A good mind possesses a kingdom. (Strauss, 1998 p. 58)
• "If you cannot cope with the pace or stress, as in a competitive industry or in a position of high office, then you should leave or resign."
• Manser, Martin H. (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 138. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "It is necessary to be bold and courageous to win the heart of a woman – or to achieve any other cherished objective."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 22 September 2013 .  
• Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages . p. 30.  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "fat, 2" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 301. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• John (1813). A Complete Collection of English Proverbs: Also, the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and Other Languages . G. Cowie and Company. p. 128.  
• Bartlett, Jere Whiting (1989). Modern Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings . Harvard University Press. p. 350. ISBN 978-0-674-58053-4 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 16. ISBN 9511109618
• Belfour, John (1812). "Long" . A Complete Collection of English Proverbs: Also, the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and Other Languages, the Whole Methodically Digested and Illustrated with Annotations, and Proper Explications . p. 135.  
• John Warner Barber (1855). The Hand Book of Illustrated Proverbs: Comprising Also a Selection of Approved Proverbs of Various Nations and Languages, Ancient and Modern . Bradley. p. 30.  
• "Do not celebrate prematurely while something is not yet achieved finally. - Unforeseen developments often lead to a less favourable final result." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 395)
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 325
• "He complained in no way of the evil reputation under which he lived, indeed, all over the world , and he assured me that he himself was of all living beings the most interested in the destruction of Superstition , and he avowed to me that he had been afraid, relatively as to his proper power, once only, and that was on the day when he had heard a preacher, more subtle than the rest of the human herd, cry in his pulpit: "My dear brethren, do not ever forget, when you hear the progress of lights praised, that the loveliest trick of the Devil is to persuade you that he does not exist !"
• Charles Baudelaire , "The Generous Gambler" (Feb. 1864).
• Caroline Ward (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 75.  
• "Good writers indulge their audience; great writers know better."
• Tom Heehler , The Well-Spoken Thesaurus (2011)
• Il semble que la perfection soit atteinte non quand il n'y a plus rien à ajouter, mais quand il n'y a plus rien à retrancher.
• "It seems that perfection is attained not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to remove."
• Antoine de Saint Exupéry , L'Avion [ specific citation needed ]
• Variant translations:
• As translated by Lewis Galantière"
• "Perfection is attained not when no more can be added, but when no more can be removed."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Manser, Martin H. (2007). "L" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 167. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "At thirty man suspects himself a fool; Knows it at forty, and reforms his plan."
• Edward Young , Night Thoughts (1742-1745), Night I, line 417.
• Fergusson, Rosalind (1995). Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 142. ISBN 978-1-85471-095-6 .  
• "Play! Invent the world! Invent reality!"
• Vladimir Nabokov , in Look at the Harlequins! (1974)
• Bloom, H. (2007). Arthur Miller , Bloom's Literary Criticism.
• "You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do something' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want something', go get it. Period."
• Said by the character Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happiness (2006) directed by Gabriele Muccino
• Lucier, T. J. (2005). How to make money with real estate options: low-cost, low-risk, high-profit strategies for controlling undervalued property-- without the burdens of ownership! , Wiley.
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "sunny, 2" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press, USA. p. 788. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Speake, Jennifer (2008). A Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 60. ISBN 978-0-19-158001-7 .  
• "A moment's insight is sometimes worth a life's experience."
• Thomas Fuller , The Holy State and the Profane State (1642), Book III, Of Fancy .
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 634
• "The best remedy for a disease or affliction is something that is capable of causing the same condition."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 169. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Speake, Jennifer (2008). A Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 251. ISBN 978-0-19-158001-7 .  
• Don't wash your dirty linen in public. (Strauss, 1994 p. 702) (19th century, Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 189, ISBN 91-27-01681-1 )
• Dickens, Charles (1867). Nicholas Nickleby, Volumes 1-4 . Hurd & Houghton. p. 145. 0814412947.  
• "I don't think the thing is to be well known, but being worth knowing ."
• Robert Fulghum .Interview, "Robert Fulghum : Philosopher King" by Linda Richards at January magazine
• Lewis Smith, Elmer (1968). "A" . American Proverbs, Maxims & Folk Sayings . p. 5.  
• "The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues."
• Elizabeth Taylor, as quoted in The Seven Deadly Sins (2000) by Steven Schwartz, p. 23.
• John Ray; John Belfour (1813). A complete collection of English proverbs: also, the most celebrated proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and other languages . G. Cowie and co.. pp. 134–.  
• Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 54, ISBN 91-27-01681-1
• Allan Mair, James (1873). A handbook of proverbs: English, Scottish, Irish, American, Shakesperean, and scriptural; and family mottoes, ed. by J.A. Mair . p. 50.  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 788
• Eugene, D. (2002). 20 Good Reasons to Stay Sober , Booksurge Llc.
• Ward, Caroline (1842). "A" . National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . p. 11.  
• Latimer Apperson, George (10 May 2006). Dictionary of Proverbs . Wordsworth Editions. p. 605. ISBN 978-1-84022-311-8 .  
• "He that falls in love with himself, will have no Rivals."
• Benjamin Franklin, Poor Rickard's Almanack (1739)
• Davidoff, Henry (1946). A World Treasury of Proverbs from Twenty-five Languages: African, Arabic, Chinese [etc.] ... Collected by Henry Davidoff . p. 259.  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 657
• George Bohn, Henry; Ray, John (1855). "L" . A Hand-book of Proverbs: Comprising Ray's Collection of English Proverbs, with His Additions from Foreign Languages. And a Complete Alphabetical Index . p. 446.  
• V&S Editorial Board (2015). Concise dictionary of proverbs . V&S Publishers. p. 62. ISBN 978-93-5215-057-1 .  
• Latimer Apperson (2006). "Free" . Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 220. ISBN 978-1-84022-311-8 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 70. ISBN 9511109618
• A Handbook of Proverbs: Comprising an Entire Republication of Ray's Collection of English Proverbs, with His Additions from Foreign Languages : and a Complete Alphabetical Index, H.G Bohn (1855)
• Variant: An englishman's home is his castle.
• William Blackstone refers to this traditional proverb in Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765–1769), Book 4, Chapter 16: And the law of England has so particular and tender a regard to the immunity of a man's house, that it stiles it his castle, and will never suffer it to be violated with immunity: agreeing herein with the sentiments of ancient Rome, as expressed in the works of Tully ; quid enim sanctius, quid omni religione munitius, quam domus unusquisque civium? Translation: What more sacred, what more strongly guarded by every holy feeling, than a man's own home?
• A man's worst enemies are often those of his own house. (Strauss, 1994 p. 52)
• Il n'est pas si dangereux de faire du mal à la plupart des hommes que de leur faire trop de bien.
• "It is less dangerous to treat most men badly than to treat them too well."
• François de La Rochefoucauld, Reflections on Various Subjects (1665–1678) Maxim 238."
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "824" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . II . Routledge. p. 198. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• "It is often difficult to find a talented or suitably qualified person when you need one."
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). "good" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 107. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 80. ISBN 9511109618
• 'Manners makyth man' - the motto of William of Wykeham(1320 - 1404)
• Fergusson, Rosalind (1995). Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 20. ISBN 978-1-85471-095-6 .  
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 272
• von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "286, Schaden" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend . II . pp. 162.  
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). "never" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 197. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 698
• R. Stone, Jon (2006). "Loss, Lost" . The Routledge Book of World Proverbs . p. 267. ISBN 978-1-135-87054-6 .  
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 317. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 463
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 171
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 602
• Men talk only to conceal the mind. (Strauss 1994, p. 1088)
• Mind your own business. (Strauss, 1998 p. 719)
• Makhene, E. R. W. (2008). Mind Your Ps and Qs , Lulu.com.
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "home, 22" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press, USA. p. 502. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• It's no use crying over spilt milk. (Strauss, 1994 p. 631)
• [Richter Belmont arrives in Dracula's chamber]
• " Richter Belmont : Die, monster! You don't belong in this world!
• Dracula : It was not by my hand that I'm once again given flesh. I was called here by humans who wish to pay me tribute.
• Richter Belmont: "Tribute"?! You steal men's souls, and make them your slaves!
• Dracula: Perhaps the same could be said of all religions.
• Richter Belmont: Your words are as empty as your soul! Mankind ill needs a savior such as you!
• Dracula: What is a man? [flings his wine glass aside] A miserable little pile of secrets! But enough talk! Have at you!"
• "The vampire expresses him disgust with the human race because they are not honest with themselves, delivering the quote, before doing battle with the vampire hunter."
• Author Victor de la Cruz ( 2011-09-10 ). "What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets! But enough talk... Have at you!" – My Geek Wisdom . Mygeekwisdom.com. Retrieved on 2019-06-16.
• Martin H. Manser (2007), The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs , Infobase Publishing, p. 22, ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 , retrieved on 14 July 2013  
• One misfortune is often followed by another. - A mishap may weaken/frighten a person/group/relationship, making him/it more liable to fell victim to subsequent minor dangers too.
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 704
• (Paczolay, 1997 p. 60)
• Cf. Scottish Proverbs Collected and Arranged by Andrew Henderson , 1832, p.103: "An inch o' a miss is as gude as a span." [ 9 ]
• "You should learn from your mistakes rather than repeating them."
• "Did you get your money by fraud? By pandering to men's vices or men's stupidity ? By catering to fools, in the hope of getting more than your ability deserves? By lowering your standards? By doing work you despise for purchasers you scorn? If so, then your money will not give you a moment's or a penny's worth of joy . Then all the things you buy will become, not a tribute to you, but a reproach; not an achievement , but a reminder of shame. Then you'll scream that money is evil."
• Ayn Rand , Francisco d'Anconia in Atlas Shrugged (1957)
• Kelly, James (1721). "M" . Complete Collection of Scottish Proverbs . p. 243.  
• "The great virtue of a free market system is that it does not care what color people are; it does not care what their religion is; it only cares whether they can produce something you want to buy. It is the most effective system we have discovered to enable people who hate one another to deal with one another and help one another ."
• Milton Friedman, "Why Government Is the Problem" (February 1, 1993), p. 19
• "Money, which represents the prose of life, and which is hardly spoken of in parlors without an apology, is, in its effects and laws, as beautiful as roses."
• Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays: Second Series (1844)
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). "M" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . pp. 190–. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "If you do not take risk for your opinion you are nothing. Don' t tell me what you think , tell me what you have in your portfolio."
• Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Skin in the game (2018)
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 714
• Leonard, F. (1995). Time is money: a million dollar investment plan for today's twenty- and thirty-somethings, Perseus Books Group.
• More haste, less speed. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1095)
• The more the merrier. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1094)
• R. Stone, Jon (2006). "Change, Changeable" . The Routledge Book of World Proverbs . p. 61. ISBN 978-1-135-87054-6 .  
• "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 708
• "A recipe for success in many walks of life is to speak only when necessary and to remain alert, observant, and watchful at all times."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "More is expected of those who have received more - that is, those who had good fortune, are naturally gifted, or have been shown special favour."
• Source for meaning and proverb: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 8 September 2013 .  
• "There is of money to be made whenever there is muck or dirt of some kind."
• Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 299. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Proverb reported by George Herbert, Jacula Prudentum (1651), #495
• The nail that sticks up will be hammered down. (Whatling, 2009) From the Japanese, "deru kugi wa utareru."
• Nature is beyond all teaching . (Strauss, 1994 p. 764)
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 127. ISBN 9511109618
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 264
• "Fight on and fly on to the last drop of blood and the last drop of fuel, to the last beat of the heart."
• Attributed to Manfred "the Red Baron" von Richthofen
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 203
• Speake, Jennifer (2008). "NEVER" . A Dictionary of Proverbs . OUP Oxford. p. 491. ISBN 978-0-19-158001-7 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p.602
• Morem, Susan (2005). One hundred one tips for graduates . Infobase Publishing. p. 69. 0816056765.  
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 419 e
• No man is indispensable. (Strauss, 1998 p. 319)
• Dictionary of Modern Proverbs (2012)
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 734 e
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. 2006
• Lose nothing for want of asking . (Mawr, 1885 p. 116)
• Nothing for nothing. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1111)
• Variant: Nothing venture, nothing have. ( Divers Proverbs , Nathan Bailey, 1721 [ 3 ] )
• "Everything has to be paid for, directly or indirectly, in money or in kind."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 314. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• James Allan Mair (1873). "T" . A handbook of proverbs: English, Scottish, Irish, American, Shakesperean, and scriptural; and family mottoes, ed. by J.A. Mair . p. 70.  
• "Nothing is achieved without effort."
• Caroline Ward (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 56.  
• A difficult task, e. g. removing a person/group from a strong position, or changing established ideas cannot be done quickly. It can be achieved gradually, by small steps, a little at a time. (Paczolay, 1997 p. 252)
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "552" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . I . p. 485. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• "Put your own interests before those of everybody else."
• H. Manser (2007). "T" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 257. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• V&S Editorial Board (2015). "T" . Concise Dictionary of Proverbs . pp. 94–. ISBN 978-93-5057-418-8 .  
• Hull, E., K. Jackson, et al. (2005). Requirements engineering , Springer.

Opportunity

• (Citatboken, Bokförlaget Natur och Kultur, Stockholm, 1967, p. 189, ISBN 91-27-01681-1 )
• "Those who leave us are soon forgotten. - Seeing somebody reinforces the memory while a long absence and the appearance of new impressions may result in a gradual fading of it."
• Cf. Fulke Greville's sonnet "And out of minds as soons as out of sight"
• Wolfgang Mieder (1992). "O" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 744. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "Do not anticipate the end of something; specifically, do not give up hope until you have actually lost or failed."
• Manser, Martin H. (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Often attributed to sportscaster Dan Cook (1978)
• "The learned is happy, nature to explore; The fool is happy, that he knows no more."
• Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man (1734)
• John Ayto (8 July 2010). Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms . Oxford University Press. p. 389. ISBN 978-0-19-954378-6 .  
• Collis, Harry (1992). "Good Things Come in Small PAckages" . 101 American English Proverbs: Understanding Language and Culture Through Commonly Used Sayings . p. 92. ISBN 978-0-8442-5412-8 .  
• "Nothing can be achieved without effort, suffering, or hardship." (Manser, 2007 p. 205)
• "The quality of goods and services is reflected in their price − cheap things are usually inferior and expensive things are usually superior."
• Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 315. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• There is no greater torment than to be alone in paradise. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1106)
• Ward, Caroline (1842). "N" . National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . p. 87.  
• "But peace was not peace without honor; peace was not peace purchased by the degration of England; peace was not peace, if we did not hold the commanding station we ought to hold, should it be necessary to go to war."
• Great Britain. Parliament (1821). The Parliamentary Debates . p. 887.  
• Speake, Jennifer (2008). "peace" . A Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 536. ISBN 978-0-19-158001-7 .  
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett (1989). Modern Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings . p. 530. ISBN 978-0-674-58053-4 .  
• Latin equivalent: Hear, see, be silent, if you wish to live (in peace).
• "People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up."
• George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings (1998)
• Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages . p. 82.  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 172. ISBN 9511109618
• John Heywood, Proverbs (1546)
• Ray, John; Belfour, John (1813). A complete collection of English proverbs: also, the most celebrated proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and other languages . G. Cowie and co.. p. 149.  
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett (1989). Modern Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings . p. 481. ISBN 978-0-674-58053-4 .  
• Skimping on small financial matters can cause you to lose money overall. E.G. outsourcing customer service to a third-world country may save a small amount, but may cost a huge amount in lost customers.
• Edwin Paxton Hood (1885). The World of Proverb and Parable: With Illustrations from History, Biography, and the Anecdotal Table-talk of All Ages. With an Introductory Essay on the Historic Unity of the Popular Proverb and Tale in All Ages . p. 90.  
• Allan Mair, James (1873). "A" . A handbook of proverbs: English, Scottish, Irish, American, Shakesperean, and scriptural; and family mottoes, ed. by J.A. Mair . p. 28.  
• The voice of the people is the voice of god . (Strauss, 1994 p. 1164)
• "Seize the bargain."
• John Heywood (1562). The Proverbs, Epigrams, and Miscellanies of John Heywood ... . Print. for subscribers, by the Early English Drama Society. p. 422.  
• Strauss (1994). "1787" . Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs . Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6 .  
• "The ignorant are not blissful; they are the butt of a joke they're not even aware of."
• Neil Strauss, Rules of the Game: The Style Diaries (2007)
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 128
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1993). Proverbs are Never Out of Season: Popular Wisdom in the Modern Age . p. 136. ISBN 978-0-19-507728-5 .  
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "82" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . I . p. 86. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• Little pitchers have big ears. (Strauss 1994, p. 653)
• "Beware how you take away hope from any human being."
• Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. , in his valedictory address to medical graduates at Harvard University (10 March 1858), published in The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal , Vol. LVIII, No. 8 (25 March 1858), p. 158; this has also been paraphrased "Beware how you take away hope from another human being"
• Nathan Bailey, Divers Proverbs (1721)
• "It is impossible to do something that everybody will approve of."
• Caroline Ward (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 43.  
• Poets are born, but orators are trained. (Strauss, 1998 p. 331)
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "cost, 2" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 143. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "politics" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 25. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Wolfgang Mieder (1992). "hot" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 520. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "Decide what you're going to do this week, and not this year. Make decisions right before you do something, not far in advance."
• Jason Fried and David Heinemeir Hansson, Rework (2009)
• If you are actively waiting for something to happen, it seldom does.
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 611
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "267" . Dictionary of European Proverbs . I . Routledge. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7 .  
• Attributed to Lord Acton
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). "P" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 225. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 157.  
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 469
• "A good Example is the best Sermon."
• "Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you."
• Robert Fulghum, As quoted in Reflections for Tending the Sacred Garden (2003) by Bonita Jean Zimmer, p. 182
• William Henry Porter (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 156.  
• Doyle, Charles Clay; Mieder, Wolfgang; Shapiro, Fred R. (2012). "T, "Thing"" . Dictionary of Modern Proverbs . p. 253. ISBN 0300136021 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 512
• Bartlett, Jere Whiting (1977). Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . p. 323. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 .  
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett (1977). "P275" . Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . p. 347. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 64. ISBN 9511109618
• "'Tis a hard task not to surrender morality for riches."
• Martial, XI, 5, reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of Quotations (Classical) (1958), p. 15.
• Wolfgang Mieder; Stewart A. Kingsbury; Kelsie B. Harder (1992). A Dictionary of American Proverbs .  
• Everything is worth its price. (Strauss, 1994 p. 800)
• Pride comes before the fall. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1148)
• If you're not part of the solution , you're part of the problem. (Adam, 2010 p. 25)
• A problem shared is a problem halved. (Strauss, 1994 p. 351)
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "performance" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 25. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Lord Byron , English Bards and Scotch Reviewers (1809), line 326
• "In prosperity let us most carefully avoid pride , disdain, and arrogance ."
• Cicero, De Officiis (44 B.C.)
• Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 90.  
• As proud as a peacock . (14th century)
• "Proverbs depend for their truth entirely on the occasion they are applied to. Almost every wise saying has an opposite one, no less wise, to balance it."
• George Santayana , The Life of Reason , Vol. 5: Reason in Science (1906), Ch. 8: "Prerational Morality".
• Sir Richard Francis Burton (1863). Abeokuta and the Camaroons Mountains: An Exploration . p. 309.  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 171. ISBN 9511109618
• Ray, John (1678). A Collection of English Proverbs: Digested Into a Convenient Method for the Speedy Finding Any One Upon Occasion : with Short Annotations. : Whereunto are Added Local Proverbs with Their Explications, Old Proverbial Rhythmes, Less Known Or Exotick Proverbial Sentences, and Scottish Proverbs . p. 193.  
• Punishment is lame but it comes. (Strauss, 1994 p. 682)
• "If somebody asks you something politely, you should respond in the same manner."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 4 August 2013 .  
• Slow and steady wins the race. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1155)
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 234. ISBN 9511109618
• Suomi-englanti-suomi-sanakirja, Sanoma Pro Oy, Helsinki, 2000, p. 957, ISBN 978-952-63-0663-6
• Rats desert a sinking ship. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1150)
• Caper, R. (1999). A mind of one's own: a Kleinian view of self and object, Routledge
• Goodwin, F. A. (2005). You Reap What You Sow . R.A.N. Pub id = 1411643550. pp. 203.  
• Reason does not come before years. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1150)
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 486
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 233. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "If you believe you're a success, crikey, I should think it will come up and get you by the...tail."
• Dame Judy Dench , British actress. From her interview with Martyn Lewis, in his book, Reflections on Success (1997)
• "Revenge. 30" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages . 1888. p. 208.  
• "The best revenge is massive success."
• Attributed to Frank Sinatra
• "Revenge. 33" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages . 1888. p. 208.  
• Doyle, Charles Clay; Mieder, Wolfgang; Shapiro, Fred R. (2012). "S, Slip" . Dictionary of Modern Proverbs . p. 234. ISBN 0300136021 .  
• Warner Barber, John (1855). The Hand Book of Illustrated Proverbs: Comprising Also a Selection of Approved Proverbs of Various Nations and Languages, Ancient and Modern . p. 25.  
• Do not stick to one way of solution or do not be disappointed meeting a failure as an objective can be achieved ( or a problem can be solved) in different ways. (Paczolay, 1997 p. 437)
• Bartlett, Jere Whiting (1989). Modern Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings . p. 535. ISBN 978-0-674-58053-4 .  
• Zimmermann, E. (1878). Familiar German Quotations and Proverbs . Collins. p. 69.  
• Ward, Caroline (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . p. 86.  
• "It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission."
• Grace Hopper, in "Only the Limits of Our Imagination", interview by Diane Hamblen in U.S. Navy's Chips Ahoy magazine (July 1986).
• Speake, Jennifer (2015). "broken" . Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 38. ISBN 978-0-19-105959-9 .  
• "In private animosities and verbal contentions, where angry passions are apt to rise, and irritating, if not profane expressions are often made use of, as we sometimes see to be the case, not only among neighbors, but in families, between husbands and wives, or parents and children, or the children themselves and other members of the household, - the least said, the better in general. By multiplying words, cases often grow worse instead of better."
• Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. pp. 125.  
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett (1977). "D214" . Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . p. 113. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 .  
• He complains wrongfully at the sea that suffer shipwreck twice. (Strauss, 1994 p. 898)
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 709
• There are none so blind as they who do not want to see. (Strauss, 1998 p. 320)
• "People tell you who they are, but we ignore it - because we want them to be who we want them to be."
• Said by the fictional character Don Draper in Mad Men (2010), created by Matthew Weiner.
• McLenighan, Valjean (1981). What you see is what you get . Follett Pub. Co.. p. 4. 0695313703.  
• Proffer'd service stinks. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1149)
• "We should not waste time on trivial aspects of a matter and neglect the essential matter itself."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 30 July 2013 .  
• Shame take him that shame thinketh. (Strauss, 1994 p. 806)
• Carew Hazlitt, William (1869). "H" . English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases: Collected from the Most Authentic Sources . p. 185.  
• Speake, Jennifer (2015). Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 144. ISBN 978-0-19-105959-9 .  
• "Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults."
• Benjamin Franklin, Poor Rickards Almanack (1756)
• Speake, Jennifer (2015). Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 283. ISBN 978-0-19-105959-9 .  
• "Nobody can fully understand another person's hardship or suffering."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 289. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  

Shoemaker /Cobbler

• "I made the statement years ago which is often quoted that 80 percent of life is showing up . People used to always say to me that they wanted to write a play, they wanted to write a movie, they wanted to write a novel, and the couple of people that did it were 80 percent of the way to having something happen. All the other people struck out without ever getting that pack. They couldn't do it, that's why they don't accomplish a thing, they don't do the thing, so once you do it, if you actually write your film script, or write your novel, you are more than half way towards something good happening. So that I was say [ sic ] my biggest life lesson that has worked. All others have failed me."
• Woody Allen, Interview for The Collider (2008) .
• "The pain of letting yourself down is much greater than anything someone else can say."
• Neil Strauss, Rules of the Game (2007)
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Shapiro, Fred R.; Clay Doyle, Charles (2012). "E" . The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs . ISBN 978-0-300-18335-1 .  
• "Things must continue as if nothing had happened."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 243. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 14 July 2013 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 63. ISBN 9511109618
• McNairn, Colin (2015). In a Manner of Speaking: Phrases, Expressions, and Proverbs and How We Use and Misuse Them . p. 132. ISBN 978-1-63220-898-9 .  
• Martin H. Manser (2007). "T" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 262. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "Why then, can one desire too much of a good thing?"
• William Shakespeare, As You Like It (1623, posthumously)
• Manser, Martin H (2007). "S" . The Facts on File dictionary of proverbs . p. 245. ISBN 9780816066735 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 73. ISBN 9511109618
• (Strauss, 1994 p. 127)
• Note: From the Aesop fable about the hare and the tortoise.
• "Those who fail to keep alert will lose out."
• Manser, Martin H. (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 318. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Wolfgang Mieder (1992). "daughter" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 176. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "The consequences are directly related to one's actions." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 38).
• "It seems that every life form on this planet strives toward its maximum potential...except human beings. A tree does not row to half its potential size and then say, 'l guess that will do."
• Jim Rohn, Five Major Pieces To the Life Puzzle (1991)
• "He that sows bountifully, also reaps bountifully. Raise high your standard of excellence, if you would make worthy attainments."
• Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 163.  
• John Belfour (1812). A Complete Collection of English Proverbs: Also, the Most Celebrated Proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and Other Languages, the Whole Methodically Digested and Illustrated with Annotations, and Proper Explications . G. Cowie. p. 216.  
• "Phraseology and style are often more important than the actual content of speech or writing."
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1341" . Dictionary of European proverbs . Taylor & Francis. p. 1032. ISBN 978-0-415-10381-7 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "variety" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 872. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• H. Bechtel, John (1910). Proverbs . p. 176.  
• Dreams or expectations may be realized too late.
• Cf. Gnomologia: Adagies and Proverbs Collected by Thomas Fuller , 1732, Vol. II, p. 283, Nr. 6291 : "A Stitch in Time // May save nine." [ 10 ]
• "No one needs to be told that a vast deal of labor is expended unnecessarily. This is occasioned, to a great extent, by the neglect of seasonable repairs."
• Source for meaning: Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 13.  
• "Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing (anussava),
• nor upon tradition (paramparā),
• nor upon rumor (itikirā),
• nor upon what is in a scripture (piṭaka-sampadāna)
• nor upon surmise (takka-hetu),
• nor upon an axiom (naya-hetu),
• nor upon specious reasoning (ākāra-parivitakka),
• nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over (diṭṭhi-nijjhān-akkh-antiyā),
• nor upon another's seeming ability (bhabba-rūpatāya),
• nor upon the consideration, The monk is our teacher (samaṇo no garū)
• ' Kalamas, when you yourselves know : "These things are good; these things are not blamable; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness," enter on and abide in them.' "
• Gautama Buddha , Kalama Sutta - Angutarra Nikaya 3.65 (~ O B.C)
• William George Smith; Paul Harvey (1960). The Oxford Dictionary of English Proverbs . p. 359.  
• Manser, Martin H. (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 252. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett (1977). Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . p. 417. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 .  
• "A man in extreme difficulty will try anything which seems to offer even the slightest help to extricate himself." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 384)
• "Always take the easiest possible approach to doing something."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 8 August 2013 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 121. ISBN 9511109618
• "An object that seems useless now may be just what you need at some future time, so do not discard it."
• Caroline Ward (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . J.W. Parker. p. 14.  
• Specified as a proverb in "5" . Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 168.   d
• Knowledge is indivisible. "When people grow wise in one direction, they are sure to make it easier for themselves to grow wise in other directions as well. On the other hand, when they split up knowledge, concentrate on their own field, and scorn and ignore other fields, they grow less wise — even in their own field."
• Isaac Asimov , The Roving Mind (1983), Ch. 25
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited.
• Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages: Classified Subjectively and Arranged Alphabetically . G. P. Putnam's sons. 1887. p. 319.  
• "We are told from childhood onward that everything we want to do is impossible. We grow up with this idea, and as the years accumulate, so too do the layers of prejudice, fear and guilt. There comes a time when our personal calling is so deeply buried in our soul as to be invisible. But it's still there."
• Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist (1988)
• K. Singh, Anup (2017). "S" . Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 94. GGKEY:3DUS38CW7YC.  
• "It turns out very often that something 'never seen/experienced before' especially in human relationships - has, in fact, in some way or another, happened before. - Human nature and the basic human aspirations did not change." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 461)

Superstition

• Ray, John (1813). A compleat collection of English proverbs. To which is added, A collection of English words not generally used. [2 pt. Interleaved, with MS. additions by F. Douce]. . p. 31.  
• "Just because there is evidence does not mean there is truth"(Paczolay, 1997 p. 44)
• Aristotle , Nicomachean Ethics (c. 325 BC), I.1098a18
• Good swimmers are often drowned. (Strauss, 1994 p. 879)
• "It is an old saying, 'A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword:' and many men are as much galled with a calumny, a scurrilous and bitter jest, a libel, a pasquil, satire, apologue, epigram, stage-play or the like, as with any misfortune whatsoever."
• Robert Burton cites this traditional proverb in The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621) Part I, Section II, Member IV, Subsection IV:
• "Many can bear Adversity, but few Contempt."
• Davidoff, Henry (1946). A World Treasury of Proverbs from Twenty-five Languages: African, Arabic, Chinese [etc.] ... Collected by Henry Davidoff . p. 489.  
• "Those who engage in aggression or violence will meet their death in a similar way."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 124. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Mazer, Anna (2009). The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword . Baker & Taylor. 1442012889.  
• Kim Kardashian, 73 Questions With Kim Kardashian West (ft. Kanye West) | Vogue (2019)
• "The reason that there are so few good conversationalists is that most people are thinking about what they are going to say and not about what the others are saying."
• François de La Rochefoucauld, Réflexions diverses, IV: De la conversation. (1731)
• Latimer Apperson, George (2006). "timely" . Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 582. ISBN 978-1-84022-311-8 .  
• "Wickedness is always easier than virtue; for it takes the short cut to everything."
• Samuel Johnson, The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (1785)
• Ward, Caroline (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . p. 156.  
• Once a thief always a thief. (Strauss, 1994 p. 771)
• George Bohn, Henry; Ray, John (1855). "T" . A Hand-book of Proverbs: Comprising Ray's Collection of English Proverbs, with His Additions from Foreign Languages. And a Complete Alphabetical Index . p. 136.  
• William Carew Hazlitt (1869). English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases: Collected from the Most Authentic Sources . Russell Smith. p. 391.  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "think" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 820. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "It is often said that second thoughts are best. So they are in matters of judgment, but not in matters of conscience. In matters of duty, first thoughts are commonly best. They have more in them of the voice of God."
• John Henry Newman , Parochial and Plain Sermons: Volume IV (1838), 8 2
• Jennifer Speake, A Dictionary of Proverbs Jennifer Speake p. 40
• Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages . p. 73.  
• "People who idle their lives away will not make a lasting impression on history or be remembered for their great achievements."
• Manser, Martin H (2007). The Facts on File dictionary of proverbs . Infobase Publishing. 0816066736.  
• Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . 1845. p. 169.  
• Cicero , De Senectute
• "Time and Tide wait for no man" . Proverbs in Verse, Or Moral Instruction Conveyed in Pictures, on the Plan of Hogarth Moralized. to which are Prefixed Rules for Reading Verse . 1811. p. 107.  
• "Time sometimes seems to pass with surprising rapidity."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 274. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Cosby, B. (1988). Time flies , Bantam Books.
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). "T" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 274. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 118. ISBN 9511109618
• "Nobody can afford to waste time that could be spent earning money."
• Whiting, Bartlett Jere (1977). Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . Harvard University Press. p. 441. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 .  
• Time is precious. (Paczolay, 1997 p. 428)
• "Talking nonsense is the sole privilege mankind possesses over the other organisms. It's by talking nonsense that one gets to the truth! I talk nonsense, therefore I'm human"
• Fyodor Dostoevsky, Notes from Underground, White Nights, The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, and Selections from The House of the Dead
• "Okay, listen to that little voice that comments, speculates, judges, compares, complains, likes, dislikes, and don't judge it, okay? 'Cause if you judge it, what happens? Your mind got in the back door. So, simply watch it impartially. Let it be."
• Julien Blanc, The Power Of Now: The Secret To Becoming Present & Breaking The Habit Of Excessive Thinking (2016)
• Elkin, A. (1999). Stress management for dummies , John Wiley & Sons.
• There is nothing more precious than time and nothing more prodigally wasted. (Strauss 1994, p. 722)
• Ward, Caroline (1842). "A". National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . p. 11.  
• "It may be more difficult or sometimes even impossible to do something later, which can be easily done now." or "One can have time later for something else if a job is done now." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 87)
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "tomorrow" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press, USA. p. 835. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "tomorrow" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 35. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Never hand an ill workman good tools.
• The Works of George Herbert in Prose and Verse ; 1881, New York: John Wurtele Lovell, Pub.; pp. 440 & 454
• Randle Cotgrave , A Dictionarie of the French and English Tongues (1611)
• Galen On Antecedent Causes , Tr. R. J. Hankinson, Cambridge University Press, 1998, ISBN 0521622506 , p. 90–93
• "A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools."
• Douglas Adams in Mostly Harmless (1992)
• Do not play with edged tools. (Strauss, 1994 p. 716)
• George Bohn, Henry; Ray, John (1860). "J" . A Hand-book of Proverbs: Comprising an Entire Republication of Ray's Collection of English Proverbs, with His Additions from Foreign Languages : and an Alphabetical Index, in which are Introduced Large Additions, as Well of Proverbs as of Sayings, Sentences, Maxims, and Phrases . p. 436.  
• A good name is the best of all treasures. (Strauss, 1998 p. 20)
• "Censure is the tax a man pays to the public for being eminent."
• Jonathan Swift , Thoughts on Various Subjects from Miscellanies (1711-1726).
• "Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 259).
• There is no tree but bears some fruit. (Mawr, 1885 p. 131)
• Ward, Caroline (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe . p. 55.  
• “The positive Warrior energy destroys only what needs to be destroyed in order for something new and fresh, more alive and more virtuous to appear.”
• Robert L. Moore, King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine (1991)
• Anand Prahlad, Sw.; Prahlad, S. W. (1996). African-American Proverbs in Context . p. 254. ISBN 978-0-87805-890-7 .  
• " LECTURER ~n. One with his hand in your pocket, his tongue in your ear and his faith in your patience."
• Divers Proverbs , Nathan Bailey, 1721 p.b72
• "That a lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies; That a lie which is all a lie may be met and fought with outright— But a lie which is part a truth is a harder matter to fight."
• Alfred Tennyson , The Grandmother , Stanza 8.
• "Not telling the whole truth or saying something that is only partially true, is tantamount to lying."
• " It is one thing to show a man that he is in error , and another to put him in possession of the truth. "
• John Locke , An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689), Book IV, Ch. 7, sec. 11.
• "Sustained by truth, man becomes a most sublime spectacle. Here is the foundation of all true eloquence and dignity - the conscience untrammeled gives boldness and majesty, and the whole soul rises to the glorious height of its own nobility."
• Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 194.  
• Second meaning: "Within reality is the possibility of our own personal miracle. Once we finally understand and accept the truth , the promise of the future is then freed from the shackles of deception, which held it in bondage."
• Rohn, E. James (1991). The Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle . Jim Rohn International. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-939490-02-8 .  
• In the Bible , John 8:32.
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). "T" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . pp. 280–. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "It is more from carelessness about truth than from intentional lying, that there is so much falsehood in the world."
• Samuel Johnson, Dr. Johnson's Table Talk (London: 1807), p. 67
• "If the truth hurts, you ain't living right"
• Said by the character Stephen Holder in The Killing (2011) directed by Patty Jenkins
• "Because he needs no praise , wilt thou be dumb ? Excuse not silence so, for truth lies in there."
• William Shakespeare , Shakespeare's sonnets (1609)
• Bartlett Jere Whiting (1977). Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . Harvard University Press. pp. 456. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 .  
• "What you would seem to be, be really."
• Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1744)
• Doyle, Charles Clay; Mieder, Wolfgang; Shapiro, Fred R. (2012). "T, try". The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs . p. 265. ISBN 0300136021 .  
• "People are often surprised to discover what they are capable of when they make an effort." (Manser, 2007 p. 316)
• Kelly, James (1721). "O" . Complete Collection of Scottish Proverbs . p. 269.  
• "Neither part to an argument or dispute can be held individually responsible for causing it."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 155. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "A problem is more quickly solved if two people put their minds to it."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 282. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "I have not learned how to solve difficult business problems, but to avoid them. To the extent I have been successful, it is because I concentrated on identifying one-foot hurdles because I acquired any ability to clear seven-footers."
• Warren Buffet , 1989 Chairman's Letter
• Caroline Ward (1842). National proverbs in the principal languages of Europe . p. 55.  
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 98. ISBN 9511109618
• "Stupid, 'empty headed' people - lacking due consideration - are often verbose." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 146)
• The vicar of Bray will be vicar of Bray. (Manser, 2007 p. 286)
• Where vice goes before, vengeance follows after.
• "The whole community plays a part in the upbringing of the children that live there."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "Don't boast of something if you are unwilling or unable to back it up by your actions."
• Source for meaning; Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 24 August 2013 .  
• "It is necessary to learn the basics before progressing to more advanced things."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 290. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 752
• " I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself. "
• Oscar Wilde , An Ideal Husband (1895), Act I.
• "Therefore my tax-payer, resign yourself to this: that we may fight bravely, fight hard, fight long, fight cunningly, fight recklessly, fight in a hundred and fifty ways, but we cannot fight cheaply."
• George Bernard Shaw, The Technique of War (1917)
• Source for proverb and meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 287. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 19 June 2013 .  
• "If we don't waste what we've got now, we won't want or need more of it in the future."
• Jane Caughey (2008). Write with Purpose: An approach to personal writing . Curriculum Press. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-74200-304-7 .  
• "Reckless extravagance leads to dire need."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 435. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "Slow but steady work can achieve much." or "That a man says little does not mean that he does not think profoundly."
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "78" . European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 373. ISBN 1-875943-44-7 .  
• "Never esteem anything as of advantage to you that will make you break your word or lose your self-respect."
• Marcus Aurelius Meditations (c. 161–180 CE)
• George Latimer Apperson (1 January 2005). Dictionary of Proverbs . Wordsworth Editions. p. 608. ISBN 978-1-84022-311-8 .  
• Mieder, Wolfgang (1992). "weave" . A Dictionary of American Proverbs . p. 875. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• Wealth rarely brings happiness. (Strauss, 1994 p. 670)
• Laine, Jarkko (toim.): Suuri sitaattisanakirja. Otava, 1989, p. 202. ISBN 9511109618
• Set a herring to catch a whale . (Strauss, 1994 p. 1134)
• The things you are doing, no matter how seemingly unique, has been done before. Take advantage of, and perhaps expand upon, your predecessors work.
• "Those who complain the most loudly or persistently, or who make the most fuss, get what they want. "
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. pp. 252–. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• A cheerful wife is the spice of life. (Strauss, 1998 p. 20)
• A man's best fortune or his worst is a wife. (Strauss, 1994 p. 65)
• Choose a wife rather by your ear than your eye. (Strauss, 1994 p. 655)
• "A married man's financial situation, his success or failure in business, and the like often depend on the behavior and disposition of his wife."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "Working hard for others one may neglect one's own needs or the needs of those closest to him."
• Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyo.  
• Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), Chapter III. Same in Woman of No Importance, Act III.
• "Take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself, even if you do not want or need it at the time, because it may no longer be available when you do."
• Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations . W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). pp. 41.  
• Judge by the well intentioned effort, and not it's effects.
• Manser, M. (2006). The Wordsworth dictionary of proverbs , Wordsworth Editions, Limited. p. 627
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 734
• "Trouble once started can spark off a chain reaction, often resulting in a great trouble out of control."
• Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "103" . European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese . Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 459. ISBN 1-875943-44-7 .  
• Hoggart, S. (2009). Life's Too Short to Drink Bad Wine: 100 Wines for the Discerning Drinker , Quapuba.
• It was customary since early times to hang a grapevine, ivy or other greenery over the door of a tavern or way stop to advertise the availability of drink within.
• Martin (2010). Good Wine Needs No Bush . Arthur Bruce Martin. pp. 200. ISBN 0646539477 .  
• "A friend is always delighted at your success, provided it doesn't exceed his own."
• Evan Esar, 20.000 Quips and Quotes (1995)
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 303. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• H. Manser, Martin (2007). "B" . The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . p. 66. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "With how much ease believe we what we wish!"
• John Dryden , All for Love . (1678)
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. 303
• "Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours."
• Mary Schmich, Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young (1997)
• Originally from the Bible , Luke 11:23 and Matthew 12:30. Specificed as a proverb in (Strauss, 1994 p. 974)
• Willful waste makes woeful want. (Wolfgang, 1992 p. 925)
• "When people behave badly they always invent a philosophy of life which represents their bad actions to be not bad actions at all, but merely results of unalterable laws beyond their control."
• Leo Tolstoy, The Slavery of Our Times (1890)
• "A woman who is rejected by the man she loves has an immense capacity for ferocious or malicious revenge."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• "Don’t mistake being fearful and weak-minded for being nice."
• Neil Staruss, Rules of the Game: The Style Diaries (2007)
• Doyle, Charles Clay; Mieder, Wolfgang; Shapiro, Fred R. (2012). "W, Woman" . Dictionary of Modern Proverbs . p. 473. ISBN 0300136021 .  
• "Silence is not always a Sign of Wisdom, but Babbling is ever a Mark of Folly."
• Benjamin Franklin, Poor Rickard's Almanack (1758)
• Hazlitt, William Carew (1882). "A" . English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases: Collected from the Most Authentic Sources, Alphabetically Arranged, and Annotated . p. 9.  
• R. Stone, Jon (2006). The Routledge Book of World Proverbs . p. 482. ISBN 978-1-135-87054-6 .  
• "Mere words have no value unless they are followed by positive action."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 . Retrieved on 9 August 2013 .  
• Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations . W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). p. 57.  
• Ray, John (1670). A Collection of English Proverbs: Digested Into a Convenient Method for the Speedy Finding Anyone Upon Occasion; with Short Annotations. Whereunto are Added Local Proverbs with Their Explications, Old Proverbial Rhythmes, Less Known Or Exotic Proverbial Sentences, and Scottish Proverbs . p. 30.  
• "Actions may be, and indeed sometimes are deceptive in a measure though not as much so as words; and accordingly are received in general as more full and satisfactory proofs of the real disposition and character of persons than verbal expressions."
• Source for meaning: Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order ... . Munroe and Company. p. 10.  
• Jere Whiting, Bartlett (1977). Early American Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases . p. 494. ISBN 978-0-674-21981-6 .  
• "The NET is a waste of time, and that's exactly what's right about it."
• William Gibson Title of an article for New York Times Magazine (14 July 1996).
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American proverbs . pp. 710.   , p. xxiv
• Many hands make light work. (Speak, 2009)
• No man is born into this world, whose work is not born with him. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1107)
• Quick at meat, quick at work. (Strauss, 1994 p. 1150)
• "The meanest or weakest person is not to be provoked or despised. No creature so small, weak, or contemptible, but if it be injured and abused will endeavour to revenge itself."
• Ray, John (1813). A compleat collection of English proverbs. To which is added, A collection of English words not generally used. [2 pt. Interleaved, with MS. additions by F. Douce]. . p. 176.  
• "Speak with contempt of none, from slave to king, The meanest Bee hath, and will use, a sting."
• Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1743)
• Mieder, Wolfgang; Kingsbury, Stewart A.; Harder, Kelsie B. (1992). A Dictionary of American Proverbs . Oxford University Press. p. 577. ISBN 978-0-19-505399-9 .  
• "Cheerful people never lack company, but miserable people are shunned by others."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Spurgeon, Charles Haddon (June 1968). American proverbs, maxims & folk sayings . Applied Arts. p. 24.  
• "We should not plan and then try to make circumstances fit those plans. Instead we should make plans fit the circumstances."
• George S. Patton , War as I Knew It (1947)
• John Heywood; Rudolph E. Habenicht (1963). A Dialogue of Proverbs: Edited, with Introd., Commentary, and Indexes. by Rudolph E. Habenicht . University of California Press. p. 284.  
• "If there is the remotest possibility of failure or disaster, you can be sure that it will happen."
• Manser, Martin H. (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• K. Singh, Anup (2017). Dictionary of Proverbs . Neelkanth Prakashan. p. 48. GGKEY:3DUS38CW7YC.  
• Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages . p. 45.  
• "Young people should take the opportunity to do all the things they will be unable to do when they're older."
• Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs . Infobase Publishing. p. 318. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5 .  
• Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1605". Dictionary of European proverbs . II . Routledge. p. 1151. ISBN 0415096243 .  
• "I rather regret something I've done than something I had wish I have done."
• AvFumio Sasaki, Goodbye, Things: On Minimalist Living (2017)
• ↑ Notes and Queries - Google Books . Books.google.com. Retrieved on 2019-06-16.
• ↑ One scabbed Sheep marrs a whole Flock; Tread on a Worm and it will turn . Fromoldbooks.org. Retrieved on 2019-06-16.
• ↑ a b c d Nothing venture, nothing have; Virtue which parleys is near a Surrender . Fromoldbooks.org. Retrieved on 2019-06-16.
• ↑ Many Words will not fill a Bushel; The younger Brother the better Gentleman . Fromoldbooks.org. Retrieved on 2019-06-16.
• ↑ Full text of "Essays on the intellectual powers of man" . Archive.org ( 2016-10-23 ). Retrieved on 2019-06-16.
• ↑ Ludwig Feuerbach und der Ausgang der klassischen deutschen Philosophie: Mit ... - Friedrich Engels - Google Books . Books.google.com. Retrieved on 2019-06-16.
• ↑ A Burnt Child dreads the Fire . Fromoldbooks.org. Retrieved on 2019-06-16.
• ↑ Good Wine needs no Bush; Kissing goes by Favour; A Lark is better than a Kite [image 1205x770 pixels] . Web.archive.org. Retrieved on 2019-06-16.
• ↑ Full text of "Scottish proverbs. With an introductory essay" . Archive.org ( 2016-10-23 ). Retrieved on 2019-06-16.
• ↑ http://ia600306.us.archive.org/14/items/gnomologiaadagi00conggoog/gnomologiaadagi00conggoog_desc.html
• Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs . Routledge. p. 103. ISBN 0415160502 .  
• Irish proverbs
• Jamaican proverbs
• Maori proverbs
• Middle English proverbs
• Scots proverbs
• Welsh proverbs

External links

• Proverb Hunter English Proverbs Explained
• Proverbs and their meanings
• English Proverbs Center Over 2000 English proverbs and Sayings.

• Proverbs by language
• English language
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What Are English Proverbs? Definition and Examples

Table of Contents

What is a Proverb in English

A proverb in English is a brief, simple statement that carries a message, lesson, or truth about life. It is a short saying that offers wisdom, advice, or shares a universal truth. These sayings are often well-known and used to make a point more clearly or to offer guidance. These sayings are passed down from generation to generation and are widely recognized within a culture. Proverbs serve multiple purposes: They offer advice, encapsulate a common experience, or provide a moral lesson, often in a witty or catchy manner. They are like condensed wisdom, offering insights into human nature, society, or the natural world in just a few words.

For example, consider the proverb “Actions speak louder than words.” This saying emphasizes that what you do is more important than what you say. It’s a reminder that promises or verbal commitments are not as meaningful as actual deeds. Another example is “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” which advises against risking everything on a single venture or idea. Instead, it suggests diversifying your efforts or investments to minimize risk. Look at one more example, the proverb “A stitch in time saves nine” means that taking care of a problem early will prevent bigger problems in the future. Proverbs are useful for understanding the values and beliefs of English-speaking cultures, and they can make your language richer and more interesting.

Proverbs often use simple, everyday language, making them accessible and easy to understand. However, many also employ literary devices like metaphor, alliteration, or rhyme to make them memorable. For instance, “A rolling stone gathers no moss” uses metaphor to convey the idea that staying active and embracing change leads to a fulfilling life, free from stagnation.

The beauty of proverbs lies in their versatility. They can be found in various aspects of life, from literature and speeches to everyday conversations. They’re used to emphasize points, offer wisdom, or even add a touch of humor. However, it’s essential to use them appropriately and understand their context. Misusing a proverb can lead to confusion or convey the wrong message.

Understanding proverbs can be particularly beneficial for those learning English as a second language. Not only do they enrich vocabulary, but they also offer insights into the cultural nuances and values of English-speaking societies. However, learners should be cautious when using proverbs in formal or academic settings, as they are generally considered more suitable for conversational or literary contexts.

A proverb is a short, well-known saying that expresses a common truth or piece of advice. These sayings are deeply embedded in English-speaking cultures and serve as a quick way to convey wisdom or moral lessons. They are valuable linguistic tools that can make language more engaging and meaningful, provided they are used correctly and in the appropriate context. Whether you’re a native speaker or learning English as a second language, understanding proverbs can enrich your communication skills and deepen your cultural understanding.

Types of Proverbs

Proverbs come in various types, each serving a different purpose. Here are some common types of proverbs with examples:

Advice Proverbs

These proverbs offer guidance on how to live your life.

• Example: “Honesty is the best policy.”
• Meaning: Being truthful is always the best course of action.

Observational Proverbs

These proverbs make an observation about the world or human nature.

• Example: “The early bird catches the worm.”
• Meaning: Those who act quickly have the best opportunities.

Cautionary Proverbs

These proverbs serve as warnings against certain actions or behaviors.

• Example: “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
• Meaning: Don’t assume something will happen until it actually does.

Conditional Proverbs

These proverbs describe a condition and a result, often in an “If…, then…” format.

• Example: “If the shoe fits, wear it.”
• Meaning: If something applies to you, accept it.

Paradoxical or Contradictory Proverbs

These proverbs seem to contradict themselves but offer wisdom upon closer inspection.

• Example: “Less is more.”
• Meaning: Sometimes having fewer things or simpler situations can actually be better.

Humorous Proverbs

These proverbs use humor to make a point.

• Example: “The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.”
• Meaning: Be cautious with your spending or investments.

Time Proverbs

These proverbs talk about the importance or nature of time.

• Example: “Time heals all wounds.”
• Meaning: Emotional or physical pain gets better as time passes.

Relationship Proverbs

These proverbs offer insights into human relationships.

• Example: “Birds of a feather flock together.”
• Meaning: People with similar interests or characteristics tend to spend time with each other.

Understanding these types of proverbs can help you use them more effectively in your communication. Each type serves a different function but all enrich language and make it more colorful and nuanced.

Characteristics of Proverbs

Proverbs are fascinating elements of language that pack a lot of wisdom into a few words. They have several distinct characteristics that make them both memorable and effective in conveying messages. Here are some key features that define proverbs:

• Brevity : One of the most striking features of proverbs is their brevity. They are short and to the point, often consisting of just a single sentence. This makes them easy to remember and quick to use in conversation. For example, “Time is money” is a short phrase, but it conveys the idea that time is a valuable resource.
• Universality : Proverbs often express universal truths or common experiences that are relatable to many people, regardless of their background. Phrases like “Every cloud has a silver lining” are understood and appreciated in various cultures because they touch on a shared human experience—looking for hope in difficult times.
• Simplicity : Proverbs usually employ simple, everyday language. They avoid complex words or structures, making them accessible to people of all ages and educational backgrounds. For instance, “Birds of a feather flock together” uses simple words to convey that people with similar interests or characteristics will usually be found together.
• Metaphorical Language : Many proverbs use metaphors or analogies to convey their message. This adds a layer of depth and makes the proverb more engaging. For example, “Don’t cry over spilled milk” uses the metaphor of spilled milk to talk about not wasting time worrying about past mistakes.
• Rhythmic and Rhyming Elements : Some proverbs have a rhythmic or rhyming structure that makes them catchy and easier to remember. Phrases like “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” have a rhythmic flow that sticks in the mind.
• Moral or Practical Lesson : Most proverbs aim to teach a moral or practical lesson. Whether it’s advising caution, as in “Look before you leap,” or encouraging kindness, as in “A friend in need is a friend indeed,” the primary purpose is instructional.
• Fixed Structure : Proverbs are often fixed phrases that don’t change over time. This stability helps them endure through generations. For example, “Honesty is the best policy” has been used for centuries and its wording has not changed.
• Context-Dependent : While proverbs are designed to be universally applicable, their effectiveness can depend on the context in which they are used. Knowing when and how to use a proverb appropriately is crucial for it to have the desired impact.
• Cultural Variations : Although the core message of a proverb may be universal, the way it is expressed can vary from one culture to another. Understanding the cultural nuances can add another layer of meaning.
• Adaptability : Some proverbs are adapted or modified to fit specific situations, although the core message remains the same. This adaptability makes them versatile tools in both spoken and written language.

Proverbs are short, universal, and easy to understand, often employing metaphorical language and rhythmic elements to make them memorable. They offer moral or practical lessons and are a valuable resource for effective communication and cultural understanding. Whether you’re a native English speaker or learning the language, recognizing these characteristics can help you appreciate the richness that proverbs bring to English.

Importance of Proverbs: Why understanding Proverbs is important for English language learners?

The importance of proverbs lies in their ability to encapsulate wisdom, cultural values, and life lessons in a concise and memorable way. Here are some reasons why understanding proverbs is significant:

• Cultural Insight : Proverbs often reflect the beliefs, values, and norms of a society. By understanding them, you can gain valuable insights into the culture, mindset, and social customs of English-speaking communities.
• Contextual Understanding : Proverbs are often used in specific situations. Knowing when and how to use them can help you understand the context of conversations better.
• Effective Communication : Proverbs can make your speech or writing more impactful. They serve as shorthand for more complex ideas, allowing you to convey your message more efficiently. They can add emphasis or clarity to what you’re trying to say, making your communication more impactful.
• Richer Vocabulary : Proverbs often use unique phrasing, idiomatic expressions, or literary devices like metaphors. This can enrich your vocabulary and understanding of language structure.
• Universal Lessons : Proverbs usually offer universal truths or advice that are applicable in various situations. This makes them valuable tools for guidance and decision-making.
• Social Interaction : Using proverbs correctly can make you sound more like a native speaker, helping you integrate socially. They show that you not only understand the language but also the nuances and subtleties of the culture.
• Better Listening Comprehension : Native speakers frequently use proverbs in everyday speech. Understanding these can help you follow conversations more easily and respond more appropriately.
• Enhanced Reading Skills : Proverbs often appear in written texts like articles, stories, and even business reports. Knowing them can improve your reading comprehension.
• Enjoyment of Literature and Media : Many English books, movies, and songs use proverbs. Understanding them can enhance your enjoyment and interpretation of these works.
• Moral and Ethical Guidelines : Many proverbs offer moral or ethical lessons, serving as simple reminders of what is considered right or wise behavior.
• Memory and Recall : The catchy, often rhythmic nature of proverbs makes them easy to remember. This can be especially helpful for language learners trying to memorize new concepts.
• Problem-Solving : Because they often encapsulate wisdom and experience, proverbs can be used as tools for problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Avoiding Misunderstandings : Misinterpreting a proverb can lead to confusion or even offense. Knowing the meaning helps you avoid misunderstandings.
• Learning Nuances : Proverbs often contain nuances that literal translations don’t capture. Understanding these subtleties can deepen your grasp of the English language.
• Cross-Cultural Connections : Many proverbs have equivalents in other languages and cultures. Understanding the proverbs of one culture can sometimes make it easier to understand the wisdom of another.

Proverbs are more than just sayings; they are mini-lessons packed with wisdom and cultural insights. Understanding them can significantly enhance your language skills, deepen your cultural understanding, and enhance your ability to communicate effectively.

How to use Proverbs

Using proverbs effectively can add depth and color to your language. Here’s how you can use them:

In Conversation

• To Give Advice : If someone is facing a dilemma, you can use a proverb like “Better safe than sorry” to advise caution.
• To Make a Point : If you’re discussing hard work and its benefits, you might say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
• To Agree or Disagree : If someone says something you agree with, you can use a proverb like “Great minds think alike” to show your agreement.
• To Emphasize a Concept : If you’re writing about the importance of taking opportunities, you could use the proverb “Strike while the iron is hot.”
• To Start or Conclude : Proverbs can make strong opening or closing statements. For example, if you’re writing about honesty, you might conclude with “Honesty is the best policy.”

In Business

• In Presentations : Use proverbs to underscore a point. For example, if you’re talking about teamwork, you might say, “Two heads are better than one.”
• In Emails : A well-placed proverb can make your message more impactful. But remember, keep it relevant to the topic.

When to avoid using Proverbs

• In Academic Writing : Proverbs are generally considered too informal for academic papers.
• With People Unfamiliar with English : If you’re speaking with someone who is new to the English language, using proverbs may cause confusion.
• In Sensitive or Serious Situations : In some cases, like bad news or formal announcements, using a proverb might be seen as inappropriate or insensitive.

Tips for using Proverbs

• Know the Meaning : Make sure you understand the proverb and its cultural context before using it.
• Use Sparingly : Proverbs are impactful when used sparingly. Overuse can make your speech or writing seem clichéd.
• Match the Situation : Choose a proverb that fits the situation and the point you’re trying to make.
• Test the Waters : If you’re unsure how a proverb will be received, you might first try using it in a less important situation to gauge reactions.

By understanding when, where, and how to use proverbs, you can communicate more effectively and add a layer of richness to your language skills.

Common mistakes in using Proverbs

Using proverbs can be tricky, especially for those who are learning English as a second language. Here are some common mistakes people make:

Incorrect Wording

One of the most common mistakes is altering the words of the proverb, which can change its meaning.

• Incorrect: “Honesty is the good policy.”
• Correct: “Honesty is the best policy.”

Wrong Context

Using a proverb in an inappropriate situation can lead to confusion or may seem awkward.

• Example: Saying “Every cloud has a silver lining” at a funeral might be considered insensitive.

Using too many proverbs can make your speech or writing seem forced or clichéd.

• Example: “Well, you know what they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but a stitch in time saves nine, so let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

Mixing Proverbs

Combining two different proverbs can create a confusing or nonsensical statement.

• Incorrect: “Don’t count your chickens before the early bird catches the worm.”
• Correct: “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” and “The early bird catches the worm” are separate proverbs.

Literal Interpretation

Some people might take the words in a proverb literally, missing the metaphorical or symbolic meaning.

• Example: Thinking “Breaking the ice” means literally breaking a piece of ice, rather than initiating a conversation to ease tension.

Cultural Misunderstanding

Some proverbs have cultural nuances that may not be understood by everyone.

• Example: Using “It’s raining cats and dogs” with someone unfamiliar with English idioms might lead them to think it’s about animals, not heavy rain.

Incorrect Timing

Using a proverb at the wrong time can lessen its impact or make it seem out of place.

• Example: Saying “Better late than never” when someone is on time can be confusing.

In Formal Writing

Proverbs are generally considered informal, so using them in academic or formal writing is usually discouraged.

To avoid these mistakes, it’s important to fully understand the proverb you’re using, both its wording and its meaning. Make sure it fits the context and consider your audience’s familiarity with the proverb and the English language.

Books and websites to learn more about Proverbs

If you’re interested in learning more about proverbs, there are several resources that can help you deepen your understanding. Here are some books and websites you might find useful:

• “Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs” by John Simpson and Jennifer Speake : This book provides a comprehensive collection of proverbs along with their origins and meanings.
• “Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings” by Gregory Y. Titelman : This book focuses on popular proverbs and sayings, providing context and usage examples.
• “Proverbs: A Handbook” by Wolfgang Mieder : This book offers an academic look at proverbs, exploring their role in language, culture, and society.
• “The Book of Proverbs” : This is a book in the Bible that contains many ancient proverbs, offering moral and practical advice.
• “English Proverbs Explained” by Ronald Ridout : Aimed at English learners, this book explains the meanings and usages of various English proverbs.
• Phrase Finder (phrases.org.uk) : This website offers a large collection of English sayings, phrases, and proverbs, along with their meanings and origins.
• The Proverb Hunter (proverbhunter.com) : This website is dedicated to proverbs from around the world, including English proverbs. It provides meanings, usages, and sometimes the history behind each proverb.
• Wikiquote : The Proverbs section on Wikiquote offers a collection of proverbs from various cultures, including English.
• UsingEnglish.com : This website has a section dedicated to English idioms, sayings, and proverbs, aimed specifically at English learners.
• YourDictionary : The website has a list of proverbs with their meanings, and it’s a good starting point for beginners.

By exploring these resources, you can gain a deeper understanding of proverbs, their meanings, and their role in language and culture. Whether you’re a native English speaker or learning the language, these resources offer valuable insights into this fascinating aspect of language.

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Proverbs: Top 30 English Proverbs and Their Meanings!

Posted on Last updated: March 31, 2023

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English Proverbs! Following is a list of 30 famous proverbs in English with their useful meanings you need to learn to master your English fluency.

Table of Contents

List of Proverbs

Proverb is a simple, concrete, traditional saying that expresses a truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use formulaic language.

List of proverbs and their meanings:

• Two wrongs don’t make a right

Meaning: When someone did something bad to you, trying to do something bad to them will only make things worse.

• Better late than never

Meaning: It’s better if you do something later, than not do it at all.

• A friend in need is a friend indeed

Meaning:  If someone helps you when you have problems, or you are in trouble, that person is a true friend.

• Actions speak louder than words

Meaning:  What you do matters – not what you say.

• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Meaning: Everyone has their own ideas of what is beautiful.

• Better safe than sorry

Meaning: You should always be careful, even if you think it’s not necessary.

• Practice makes perfect

Meaning: If you want to be perfect at something, you need to practice every day.

• Easy come, easy go

Meaning: When something, especially money, is easily got and then soon spent or lost.

famous proverbs | infographic 

• When in Rome, do as the Romans do

Meaning: When you are in another country, it’s better to behave like the citizens of this country.

• A picture speaks a thousand words / A picture is worth a thousand words

Meaning: No matter what language you speak, a picture can tell you more in a few seconds than in the time spent reading a thousand words describing the same thing.

• Don’t talk the talk if you can’t walk the walk

Meaning: Don’t brag about being able to do something, unless you actually know how to do it.

• Great minds think alike

Meaning: Smart people usually have the same ideas. This proverb is used when someone has the same idea as you.

• Haste makes waste

Meaning: When you try to work too quickly, you usually make mistakes.

• If you snooze, you lose

Meaning: You have to act fast to get what you want.

• Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas.

Meaning: If you associate with bad or dishonest people, bad things will happen to you.

• Look before you leap

Meaning: Make decisions carefully. Think about it first.

• Measure twice, cut one

Meaning: It’s hard to change a decision, once you’ve made it.

• Misery loves company

Meaning: People who are unhappy want to make others unhappy too.

• First things first

Meaning: Be patient. Do the things in their correct order.

• Honesty is the best policy

Meaning: It’s better to always tell the truth.

• It never rains, but it pours

Meaning: Bad luck never comes alone. Bad things usually happen all together at once.

• Love is blind

Meaning: If you love someone, you don’t notice his or her faults. You think they’re perfect.

English proverbs | infographic 

• Mind your own business

Meaning: Do not interfere with other people’s lives and affairs.

• Money is the root of all evil

Meaning: Money is the cause of all problems.

• No pain, no gain

Meaning: If you don’t work hard, you’ll never achieve your goal.

• Seeing is believing

Meaning: People don’t often believe something, unless they see it.

• Time is money

Meaning: The longer it takes to do something, the more costly it will be

• What’s done is done

Meaning: You cannot change what has already happened.

• Too many cooks spoil the broth

Meaning: If there are many people doing the same job, the result will come out to be bad.

• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Meaning: Don’t assume your plans will come to fruition.

Famous Proverbs | Infographic

English Proverbs | Infographic 1

English Proverbs | Infographic 2

Learn more about English idioms .

Sunday 22nd of January 2023

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Saturday 17th of September 2022

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It is really good.

Monday 25th of July 2022

Your work on Idioms and proverbs is fabulous!

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Wednesday 8th of June 2022

I love the way you guys explain the mean of each idiom. Thank you.

Proverbs: 50+ Useful and Important English Proverbs for ESL Students

Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that express a truth or an opinion based on common sense or experience. They are often used to give advice or to share a moral lesson.  In this post, we’ll learn some common proverbs in English. By using some of these 0ver 50 popular proverbs, you can up your English language by a few notches.

What Is a Proverb?

A proverb is a short, pithy saying that expresses a traditionally held truth or piece of advice, based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often used to give advice or to share a moral lesson and can be found in many cultures and languages. They are usually passed down through generations and often use figurative language , such as metaphor or allegory, to convey their message.

Proverbs can be used in a variety of settings, including in everyday conversation, literature, and even in educational settings as a way to teach values and lessons. They can provide a quick, concise way to convey a message or a lesson and can be an effective way to impart wisdom or to make a point.

They can also be found in many different forms, including as sayings, idioms, and even as jokes or riddles. Some proverbs are specific to a particular culture or language, while others are more widely known and used.

In summary, proverbs are short, wise sayings that are used to convey a truth or a lesson and are found in many cultures and languages. They often use figurative language and are passed down through generations as a way to impart wisdom and share moral lessons.

Here are a few examples of proverbs and their meanings:

• “Actions speak louder than words.”

This proverb means that what people do is more important than what they say.

• “Honesty is the best policy.”

This proverb advises people to be honest, as it is generally the best course of action.

• “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

This proverb advises people not to make assumptions or form opinions based on appearances alone.

• “Practice makes perfect.”

This proverb suggests that repetition and practice can help someone improve their skills or abilities.

• “The early bird catches the worm.”

This proverb advises people to get an early start, as it can lead to success or advantage.

Common Proverbs in English

• A bargain is a bargain.
• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
• A blind man would be glad to see.
• A cat in gloves catches no mice.
• After dinner comes the reckoning.
• Penny-wise and pound-foolish.
• One swallow does not make a summer.
• Nightingales will not sing in a cage.
• Many a good father has but a bad son.
• Least said, soonest mended.
• Keep a thing seven years and you will find a use for it.
• Keep your mouth shut and your ears open.
• All are not merry that dance lightly.
• An oak is not felled at one stroke.
• The camel going to seek horns lost his ears.
• So many countries, so many customs.
• As you brew, so must you drink.
• Best defense is offense.
• Better be born lucky than rich.
• Between two evils ’tis not worth choosing.
• Catch the bear before you sell his skin.
• Death is the grand leveler.
• Diseases are the interests of pleasures.
• Doing is better than saying.
• Draw not your bow till your arrow is fixed.
• Everything comes to him who waits.
• Fair without, foul (false) within.
• Fish and company stink in three days.
• Fools may sometimes speak to the purpose.
• Give him an inch and he’ll take an ell.
• Good words without deeds are rushes and reeds.
• Half a loaf is better than no bread.
• He is not laughed at that laughs at himself first.
• His money burns a hole in his pocket.
• If we can’t as we would, we must do as we can.
• It is good fishing in troubled waters.
• Make hay while the sun shines.
• No man loves his fetters, be they made of gold.
• Politeness costs little (nothing), but yields much.
• Short debts (accounts) make long friends.
• The best is oftentimes the enemy of the good.
• Truth comes out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.
• Two is company, but three is none.
• Velvet paws hide sharp claws.
• Virtue is its own reward.
• Wait for the cat to jump.
• What is done cannot be undone.
• What is got over the devil’s back is spent under his belly.
• When children stand quiet, they have done some harm.
• Beggars can’t be choosers.
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
• No man is an island.
• People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
• The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
• Two heads are better than one.
• When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Types of Proverbs

Descriptive proverbs.

Descriptive proverbs provide a description or observation about a situation. They are used to describe a situation or a person. For example, “Actions speak louder than words” is a descriptive proverb that means that what people do is more important than what they say. Another example is “All that glitters is not gold,” which means that not everything that looks good is actually good.

Instructional Proverbs

Instructional proverbs provide guidance or advice on how to act in a certain situation. They are used to teach moral values and wisdom. For example, “Honesty is the best policy” is an instructional proverb that teaches the importance of being truthful. Another example is “A penny saved is a penny earned,” which teaches the importance of saving money.

Explanatory Proverbs

Explanatory proverbs explain a concept or a situation. They are used to clarify a situation or to provide an explanation. For example, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is an explanatory proverb that means that when you are in a foreign country, you should follow the customs and traditions of that country. Another example is “You can’t have your cake and eat it too,” which means that you can’t have everything you want in life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main message of Proverbs?

Proverbs is a book of wisdom in the Bible that teaches us how to live a good and successful life. The main message of Proverbs is to seek wisdom and understanding, and to live a life that is pleasing to God. The book emphasizes the importance of honesty, hard work, and treating others with kindness and respect. It also warns against foolishness, laziness, and immoral behavior.

What are some of the themes in Proverbs?

Some of the main themes in Proverbs include wisdom, understanding, knowledge, diligence, honesty, humility, and the fear of the Lord. The book also touches on topics such as wealth and poverty, friendship, family relationships, and the power of words. Proverbs encourages us to seek these virtues and apply them to our daily lives.

What are some of the most memorable Proverbs?

Proverbs is full of memorable sayings that have become well-known phrases in our culture. Some examples include “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18), “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6), and “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). These and many other Proverbs have become popular for their timeless wisdom and practical advice.

Last Updated on November 7, 2023

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what is done cannot be undone? really?

This phrase means that once something has been done, it cannot be reversed or undone. It implies that actions have consequences and that people should be mindful of the choices they make. It is a reminder to take responsibility for our actions and to be thoughtful before making decisions that may have lasting effects.

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50 Common Proverbs in English

This is a list of popular English proverbs. Proverbs are also known as sayings. Proverbs give some form of life advice. Every language and culture has them, and many proverbs exist in more than one language. It is important not to miss any of the words in most proverbs because the meaning can be lost if even one word is changed or left out. This list of English proverbs includes definitions and examples, and is meant to improve English vocabulary and English cultural knowledge.

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50 Meaningful Proverbs to Wow Your Teacher

• Primary School Composition Writing

Parents and teachers are always telling you “honesty is the best policy” and “practice makes perfect”. But what are these phrases and how do all the adults know them?

These phrases are called proverbs. They are short statements of universal truths. Proverbs are pearls of wisdom and by using them, you can show that your characters have really learned their lessons. They give variation to dialogue, and they can be used in the introduction or conclusion of your compositions.

But before you read on, you might want to download this Free-Ebook on 88 meaningful proverbs that your child can use to wow the teacher!

• Simple & Easy-to-use
• Minimal Memory Work
• Examples provided
• Learn the meaning of these proverbs!

By the way, here’s a Free Online Lesson I carried out on How to Use Proverbs recently…

(It is a 1.5hr lesson, with the last 0.5hr spent answering questions from parents.)

In the above free online lesson, your child will learn:

– What are proverbs?

– How to use proverbs effectively

– How to avoid common mistakes when using proverbs

At the end of the lesson, your child will get some hands-on practice on how to use proverbs in a sentence.

255 students attended this free lesson, hence the chat box was out of control.

In our paid classes, however, we limit each virtual class to about 50 students, to make the chatbox controllable, and to ensure everyone has a chance to have their queries answered.

Here are 50 proverbs that you can use for your compositions!

1. A bad workman always blames his tools

Someone who fails at a task and blames his tools does not have the ability to carry out the task in the first place.

Example: Frustrated, Ting Ting threw her bike to the ground and insisted, “I can’t ride it because it is broken!” Her father shook his head. “A bad workman always blames his tools,” he said. “Let’s try that again.”

2. A barking dog never bites

Someone who acts intimidating by being loud is not actually a dangerous person.

Example: The vegetable seller shrank in fear when the customer raised her voice. She demanded, “Don’t be stingy. Give me a discount!” Shaking my head in disapproval, I encouraged the seller. “A barking dog never bites. Don’t be afraid of her.”

3. Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Being separated from someone or something for a long time makes you appreciate them even more.

Example: My mother had been in Thailand for two weeks now. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, I missed her and her cooking.

4. Actions speak louder than words

A better way of showing your sincerity is doing what you promise rather than just saying you promise to do it.

Example: Jack promised he would not push Tom around again. But actions speak louder than words, we had to wait and see if Jack would keep his promise.

5. A friend in need is a friend indeed

This proverb is used to explain that the people who help you when you are in need are your true friends.

Example: After I lost the race, Mary continued to support me even though everyone else called me names. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

6. A leopard never changes its spots

It is not possible for a person to change their habits or personality.

Example: Even after being reprimanded for bullying Tom, Jack simply switched his target to Walter. A leopard never changes its spots.

7. All good things must come to an end

Everything will come to an end, even good things do not last forever.

Example: I had the time of my life at the birthday party. But all good things must come to an end, and it was time for us to go home.

8. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

If all someone does is work, they will grow bored and become boring.

Example: Jenny was a very hard-working girl, but all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, she would soon grow tired of studying all the time.

9. All’s well that ends well

As long as there is a good ending, the problems encountered along the way are not important.

Example: Finishing this mural was tough, but all’s well that ends well.

10. A penny saved is a penny earned

This proverb is commonly used when advising people to save their money.

Example: On the way home from school, I found a dollar on the floor. I picked it up happily and said to myself, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

11. A picture is worth a thousand words

A picture or image expresses meaning more effectively than words.

Example: Johnny did not need to explain how grateful he was for his parents. From the painting he did of his family, we could tell just how much he loves them. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

12. An empty vessel makes the most noise

The person who is the most foolish is also the noisiest.

Example: Harry is the most talkative student in the class, but you know what they say: “An empty vessel makes the most noise.” He is also known for his poor grades.

13. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth

A person who has harmed another person should receive a punishment that is equal to the harm the victim has suffered. This proverb is commonly used as an excuse for revenge or to teach people to treat others like how they want to be treated.

Example: I accidentally hit Jack with my elbow. I wanted to apologise but Jack was fuming. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. You hit me, so I am going to hit you back!”

14. An idle brain is the devil’s workshop

A lazy person who wastes their time being unproductive is more likely to think of bad things.

Example: “Can you stop lazing around and start on your homework?” my mother nagged. “An idle brain is the devil’s workshop!”

15. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

If you want to finish a task, you must start on it first.

Example: It would take me an extremely long time to complete my project, but a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

16. A stitch in time saves nine

It is better to fix a problem now than later so that the problem will not worsen.

Example: I wanted to fix the shaky ladder later but I remembered the saying “a stitch in time saves nine”. I should deal it with now, or someone might get hurt if they used it.

17. Beggars can’t be choosers

You should not complain when something you need is given to you, even when the thing given is not what you wanted.

Example: “Just eat your chicken rice without the chilli,” my mother snapped. “Beggars can’t be choosers!”

18. The best-laid plans go astray

Even if you have prepared everything, plans might not go the way you want them to.

Example: Soon, we realised we were lost despite following the map. The best-laid plans go astray, we needed to adapt if we wanted to survive the night.

19. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

People have different definitions of what is beautiful or attractive.

Example: I did not find the puppy very cute, but Sarah kept cooing over it. I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

20. Beauty is only skin-deep

Someone who is good-looking is not necessarily good-natured too.

Example: I learned that beauty is only skin-deep. I was overweight, but I was also hard-working and respectful to my elders, and those qualities are more important than looks.

21. Better late than never

It is better for someone or something to be overdue instead of never turning up.

Example: Jessica had a bad habit of being late, and she would always give the excuse “better late than never”.

22. The best things in life are free

The things that are truly important usually do not cost any money.

Example: I realised that the best things in life are free. Even though we cannot afford to have a fancy lifestyle, my family is still happy because we have one another.

23. Birds of a feather flock together

Similar people are drawn to each other.

Example: Judy and Sam are both big bullies and they are best friends. Indeed, birds of a feather flock together.

24. Clothes do not make the man

Similar to “beauty is only skin-deep”, “clothes do not make the man” is used to explain that what we wear or look like do not determine who we are as a person.

Example: Finn, the homeless man, wore the same tattered shirt everyday but clothes do not make the man. He was kind and friendly to everyone, even animals.

25. Curiosity killed the cat

Being too curious may be harmful. This proverb is usually used to advise people to mind their own business.

Example: Curiosity killed the cat, I should not have eavesdropped on my parents’ conversation. Now they were going to punish me for it.

26. Don’t bite off more than you can chew

Do not take on responsibilities that are too difficult for you.

Example: I learnt that we should not bite off more than we can chew. I should have given up some of my commitments.

27. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you

You should not be ungrateful towards the person who has given you something.

Example: I decided to accept the cake even though I did not like chocolate. After all, we should not bite the hand that feeds us.

28. Don’t judge a book by its cover

We should not decide what someone’s character is like by how they look. This proverb can be applied to things as well.

Example: The cake was misshapen, but do not judge a book by its cover! It was actually delicious.

29. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

This proverb is used to discourage people from putting all their efforts and resources into one thing, as they might lose everything if it turns out to be unsuccessful.

Example: We should always have a back-up plan and never put all our eggs in one basket.

30. The early bird catches the worm

It is good to be earlier than everyone else as you will have an advantage.

Example: As I was the first to come down for breakfast, my mother gave me the biggest portion. Indeed, the early bird catches the worm.

31. Every dog has his day

Even the most unfortunate person will find success one day. This proverb can be used to comfort someone who had a bad day.

Example: Nothing went right today, but I did not let it get me down. Every dog has his day, and tomorrow would be better.

32. Every cloud has a silver lining

Even misfortune can lead to good things. This proverb is normally used to encourage people who are going through a hard time or experienced failure.

Example: Even though I did not win the writing competition, one of the judges liked my story so much, he wanted to publish it. Every cloud has a silver lining.

33. Fortune favours the brave/bold

People who take risks are more likely to be rewarded than people who stick to what is safe.

Example: Fortune favours the bold, we should not be afraid to try new things.

34. Good things come to those who wait

Patience is often rewarded.

Example: The food took a long time to arrive, but it was one of the most delicious meals I ever had. Good things come to those who wait.

35. Honesty is the best policy

You should always tell the truth.

Example: I learnt that honesty is the best policy. If I had told my parents the truth at the beginning, nobody would have gotten hurt.

36. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again

You should never give up.

Example: Even after falling off the bike a hundred times, I would pick myself up. If at first you do not succeed, try and try again.

37. If you can’t beat them, join them

If you cannot be better than someone else no matter how hard you try, then you should befriend or work with them instead.

Example: After weeks of training, I still could not surpass Owen’s speed. Well, if you cannot beat them, join them. Eventually, I decided the best way to improve my stamina was to ask Owen for help.

38. If you play with fire, you will get burned

If you do something dangerous, you will get hurt. This proverb is usually used to discourage people from doing things that will put them in danger.

Example: “Farah, get down from there! If you play with fire, you will get burned!” my mother warned.

39. It’s better to be safe than sorry

It is better to avoid taking risks than lose everything or get hurt after.

Example: I knew the ladder was shaky, so I decided to find another way to reach the top shelf. It is better to be safe than sorry.

40. It takes two to tango / It takes two hands to clap

Because two things or people were required for something to happen, both people should be at fault if it went wrong.

Example: Ben might have started the fight, but Jeffrey fought back. It takes two hands to clap, and both boys should be punished.

41. Knowledge is power

This proverb is used to encourage people to keep learning.

Example: Learning taekwondo might seem useless, but knowledge is power. One day, I could use it to protect someone in need.

42. Laughter is the best medicine

Laughing helps us get through sad times.

Example: I was feeling down because I failed my Maths test, but my friends cheered me up with their silly jokes. After all, laughter is the best medicine.

43. Lightning never strikes the same place twice

An unusual event rarely happens twice.

Example: Lightning never strikes the same place twice. If a wonderful opportunity opened up for you, you should take it.

44. Look before you leap

You should consider all the possible results before doing something.

Example: I wanted to climb over the fence to retrieve our frisbee but Joe stopped me. He advised, “You should look before you leap. Are you sure you want to trespass?”

45. Many hands make light work

Work is easier to complete if more people are working together.

Example: After putting our differences aside, we realised that many hands make light work.

46. Money doesn’t grow on trees

Money is not easily acquired. This proverb can be used to advise people to be careful with how they spend their money.

Example: I begged my mother to buy the remote-control car for me. She scolded, “Do you think money grows on trees? It’s too expensive!”

47. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today

You should finish your tasks as soon as you can, rather than leave it to later.

Example: I decided to finish my homework instead of playing soccer with the boys. After all, we should never put off until tomorrow what we can do today.

48. No man is an island

People cannot survive on their own, we need to rely on one another in order to live.

Example: No man is an island, we should rely on others in times of need.

49. No pain, no gain

To achieve something, we need to work hard.

Example: Just as I felt like giving up, my coach encouraged me, “No pain, no gain.”

50. No use crying over spilt milk

There is no point in dwelling over things that have already happened.

Example: My baby cousin had broken all the plates! But there is no use crying over spilt milk, I had to think of a way to fix this before my parents came home.

See more related articles and information on Writing Samurai:

• Writing Good Compositions For Primary School
• Model Compositions Examples
• Top Exam Smart Tips for English Comprehension
• List of Awesome Idioms for Composition Writing

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50 Essential Proverbs in English with Meanings and Examples

Proverbs are nuggets of wisdom passed down through generations, offering insights and truths about life. They often encapsulate moral lessons or practical advice in a few concise words. In this article, we’ll explore 50 English proverbs, delving into their meanings and providing examples to illustrate how to use them in sentences.

By understanding these proverbs, we’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the wisdom they convey and how they can be applied in our everyday situations.

What are English Proverbs?

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Generally, Proverbs are strong and concise statements that usually convey life advice, wisdom, or truth. They have been commonly used by the native speakers for many years in conversation. So proverbs help us to deliver a strong message or explain a thing more elaborately.

50 Proverbs in English with Meanings and Examples

Now it’s time to unveil the 50 most essential proverbs in English with their meanings and examples.

1. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Meaning: What people do is more important than what they say.

Example: Rather than promising to help, he just showed up and started working. Actions speak louder than words.

2. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Meaning: A visual representation can convey more information than words alone.

Example: The photo of the devastation caused by the storm moved people to donate more than any description could. A picture is worth a thousand words.

3. Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Meaning: What one person finds beautiful, another may not.

Example: While she loved the painting, he thought it was just a bunch of random colors. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

4. Better Late Than Never

Meaning: It is better to do something late than not do it at all.

Example: He finally finished the project a week after the deadline, but better late than never.

5. Curiosity Killed the Cat

Meaning: Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.

Example: She kept asking about their secret project until they told her, “Curiosity killed the cat.”

6. Don’t Bite the Hand That Feeds You

Meaning: Don’t act against those who help you.

Example: He criticized his boss in front of everyone, forgetting the saying, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

7. Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch

Meaning: Don’t assume something will happen before it actually does.

Example: She was already planning how to spend her bonus before it was even confirmed. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

8. Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Meaning: Don’t form an opinion based solely on appearance.

Example: He looked scruffy, but he turned out to be the most brilliant person in the room. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

9. Easy Come, Easy Go

Meaning: Things gained easily are often lost easily.

Example: He won a lot of money at the casino but lost it all the next day. It was easy come, easy go.

10. Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

Meaning: There is something good in every bad situation.

Example: Losing the job was tough, but it led her to a better career path. Every cloud has a silver lining.

11. Honesty is the Best Policy

Meaning: Being truthful is always the best approach.

Example: He admitted his mistake to the client because honesty is the best policy.

12. If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

Meaning: If something is working well, don’t change it.

Example: They wanted to redesign the website, but the current one was functioning perfectly. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

13. Ignorance is Bliss

Meaning: Sometimes, it’s better not to know the truth.

Example: He decided not to tell her about the surprise party, thinking ignorance is bliss.

14. Laughter is the Best Medicine

Meaning: Laughter can improve one’s mood and health.

Example: Even during tough times, they found that laughter is the best medicine.

15. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Meaning: Don’t disturb a situation that is currently causing no problems.

Example: He wanted to revisit an old argument, but his friend advised him to let sleeping dogs lie.

16. Look Before You Leap

Meaning: Think carefully before taking action.

Example: She almost invested in a risky venture without researching it. Look before you leap.

17. The Early Bird Catches the Worm

Meaning: People who act early have an advantage.

Example: She got the best seat because she arrived before anyone else. The early bird catches the worm.

18. The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side

Meaning: People often think others have it better than they do.

Example: He envied his friend’s job but didn’t realize the challenges it came with. The grass is always greener on the other side.

19. The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword

Meaning: Words and ideas are more powerful than violence.

Example: Through his writings, he inspired change more effectively than any force could. The pen is mightier than the sword.

20. There’s No Place Like Home

Meaning: Home is the most comfortable and happy place.

Example: After traveling for months, she realized there’s no place like home.

21. Time Heals All Wounds

Meaning: Emotional pain lessens over time.

Example: He thought he’d never recover from the breakup, but time heals all wounds.

22. When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do

Meaning: Adapt to the customs of the place you are visiting.

Example: They wore traditional clothing to blend in with the locals. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

23. You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Meaning: Appearance doesn’t always reflect the true nature of someone or something.

Example: She looked very shy but turned out to be very confident. You can’t judge a book by its cover.

24. You Can’t Make an Omelette Without Breaking Eggs

Meaning: Achieving something often involves some sacrifice.

Example: To improve the company, they had to make some tough decisions. You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.

25. Two Heads Are Better Than One

Meaning: Working together yields better results.

Example: They solved the problem quickly by brainstorming together. Two heads are better than one.

26. A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

Meaning: Fixing a small problem now prevents it from becoming a bigger one.

Example: She repaired the leak immediately, knowing a stitch in time saves nine.

27. A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

Meaning: Saving money is as valuable as earning it.

Example: He avoided unnecessary expenses, believing a penny saved is a penny earned.

28. A Leopard Can’t Change Its Spots

Meaning: People can’t change their inherent nature.

Example: Despite his promises, he reverted to his old habits. A leopard can’t change its spots.

29. All That Glitters is Not Gold

Meaning: Not everything that looks valuable is actually valuable.

Example: The new car looked impressive, but it had many problems. All that glitters is not gold.

30. An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Meaning: Eating healthy keeps you in good health.

Example: She always eats fruits and vegetables, believing an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

31. Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action.

Example: He blamed his teammate for the loss, but he was barking up the wrong tree.

32. Beggars Can’t Be Choosers

Meaning: People with no other options must accept what is offered.

Example: He complained about the free meal, but beggars can’t be choosers.

33. Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

Meaning: Take on more than you can handle.

Example: She tried to juggle two jobs and full-time studies but bit off more than she could chew.

34. Blood is Thicker Than Water

Meaning: Family bonds are stronger than any other relationships.

Example: Despite their fights, they always supported each other. Blood is thicker than water.

35. Cross That Bridge When You Come to It

Meaning: Deal with a problem when it arises, not before.

Example: They worried about the project deadline, but decided to cross that bridge when they came to it.

36. Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk

Meaning: Don’t be upset about something that has already happened.

Example: He was upset about the lost deal, but it was time to move on. Don’t cry over spilled milk.

37. Every Dog Has Its Day

Meaning: Everyone gets a chance for success eventually.

Example: He finally got recognition for his hard work, proving every dog has its day.

38. Familiarity Breeds Contempt

Meaning: Knowing someone too well can lead to a lack of respect.

Example: They used to be close friends, but familiarity bred contempt over time.

39. Fortune Favors the Bold

Meaning: Courageous actions are often rewarded.

Example: She took a risk by starting her own business, and it paid off. Fortune favors the bold.

40. Haste Makes Waste

Meaning: Rushing leads to mistakes and waste.

Example: He completed the project quickly, but it was full of errors. Haste makes waste.

41. It’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn

Meaning: Things often seem worse just before they improve.

Example: She felt hopeless about her career but then got a great job offer. It’s always darkest before the dawn.

42. Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Meaning: Creativity is often spurred by a need.

Example: They created a new tool to solve their problem, showing necessity is the mother of invention.

43. No Pain, No Gain

Meaning: Hard work and suffering are necessary to achieve something.

Example: He trained hard every day, believing no pain, no gain.

44. Practice Makes Perfect

Meaning: Regular practice leads to improvement.

Example: She practiced the piano daily; understanding practice makes perfect.

45. Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day

Meaning: Great things take time to achieve.

Example: They were impatient with their progress, but Rome wasn’t built in a day.

46. Still Waters Run Deep

Meaning: Quiet people often have deep, complex thoughts.

Example: He rarely spoke, but his occasional insights showed still waters run deep.

47. Strike While the Iron is Hot

Meaning: Take action at the most advantageous time.

Example: They launched the product during the holiday season, striking while the iron was hot.

48. The Best of Both Worlds

Meaning: A situation where one can enjoy the advantages of two different things.

Example: Working from home gave her the best of both worlds: flexibility and family time.

49. The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating

Meaning: The true value of something can only be judged when it is put to use.

Example: The new system seemed great, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

50. You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

Meaning: It’s difficult to make someone change their established habits.

Example: He struggled to learn the new software, proving you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Final Words

Proverbs offer timeless wisdom that remains relevant across cultures and generations. By understanding these 50 proverbs, you can gain insights into human nature and life’s various challenges. Use them in your daily conversations to add depth and wisdom to your interactions.

1. What is a proverb?

A proverb is a short, commonly known saying that expresses a truth or piece of advice.

2. Why are proverbs important?

Proverbs condense wisdom and cultural values into memorable phrases, making them easy to remember and share.

3. How can I use proverbs in everyday life?

You can use proverbs to offer advice, make a point more compelling, or add cultural flavor to your communication.

4. Are proverbs the same in all cultures?

While many proverbs have similar meanings across different cultures, the specific wording and examples often reflect cultural nuances.

5. Can proverbs change over time?

Yes, proverbs can evolve as language and societal values change, but their core messages often remain the same.

Azizul Hakim is the founder & CEO of englishfinders.com . He is a passionate writer, English instructor, and content creator. He has completed his graduation and post-graduation in English language and literature.

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100+ Famous Proverbs in English With Meaning and Examples

Have you ever heard the saying ‘A penny saved is a penny earned’ or ‘Actions speak louder than words’? These wise phrases, called proverbs, have been passed down through generations, offering valuable lessons and insights into life. Proverbs are short, memorable expressions that simply convey universal truths or advice.

In this blog, we’ll explore 100+ proverbs in English, their meanings, origins, and how they apply to our everyday lives. Whether you’re a native English speaker or learning the language, understanding proverbs can greatly enrich your communication skills and deepen your understanding of the culture.

Table of Content

What are Proverbs?

Types of proverbs in english, 10 most common proverbs in english, list of 100 proverbs in english, 20 examples of using proverbs in english.

Proverbs are concise, traditional expressions of wisdom that encapsulate universal truths, moral principles, or practical advice. They are often passed down orally from one generation to another within a culture, embodying the collective wisdom and experiences of a community. These succinct phrases are characterized by their simplicity, clarity, and memorable nature, making them easily accessible and applicable in various contexts. Proverbs offer insights into human behaviour, relationships, and societal norms, serving as guidelines for ethical conduct and decision-making. They address common life situations and dilemmas, offering concise solutions or perspectives that have stood the test of time. Proverbs are found in every culture and language, reflecting the values, beliefs, and cultural heritage of different societies. One of the key features of proverbs is their metaphorical or figurative language, which often employs vivid imagery or symbolism to convey complex ideas succinctly. This figurative language adds depth and resonance to the proverb, making it more memorable and impactful.

Proverbs in English can be classified into several categories based on their themes, structures, and origins. Here are some common types:

• Traditional Proverbs: These are timeless expressions that have been passed down through generations orally and are deeply rooted in cultural heritage. Examples include “A stitch in time saves nine” and “All’s fair in love and war.”
• Biblical Proverbs: Derived from the Bible, these proverbs offer moral and practical guidance. Examples include “Pride goes before destruction” and “Honesty is the best policy.”
• Literary Proverbs : Found in works of literature, these proverbs often reflect the themes and values of specific authors or literary movements. Examples include “To thine own self be true” from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” from Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield.
• Modern Proverbs: These are newly coined expressions that capture contemporary wisdom and reflect current societal trends. Examples include “YOLO (You Only Live Once)” and “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
• Regional Proverbs: Specific to certain regions or cultures, these proverbs reflect the unique perspectives and values of different communities. Examples include “The early bird catches the worm” in English-speaking countries and “Laughter is the best medicine” in various cultures worldwide.
• Occupational Proverbs: These proverbs are associated with specific professions or trades and often offer practical advice or insights related to those fields. Examples include “Measure twice, cut once” in carpentry and “Practice makes perfect” in sports and music.

Below mentioned proverbs are widely known and often used in various contexts to convey wisdom, advice, or observations about life.

• “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
• “Actions speak louder than words.”
• “Birds of a feather flock together.”
• “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
• “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
• “Honesty is the best policy.”
• “The early bird catches the worm.”
• “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
• “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
• “You reap what you sow.”

Here’s a comprehensive list of 100 proverbs in English that you can use in daily life:

• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
• A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
• A penny saved is a penny earned.
• A picture is worth a thousand words.
• A stitch in time saves nine.
• Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
• Actions speak louder than words.
• All good things must come to an end.
• All is fair in love and war.
• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
• April showers bring May flowers.
• Beggars can’t be choosers.
• Better late than never.
• Better safe than sorry.
• Birds of a feather flock together.
• Blood is thicker than water.
• Charity begins at home.
• Cleanliness is next to godliness.
• Curiosity killed the cat.
• Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
• Don’t cry over spilled milk.
• Don’t judge a book by its cover.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
• Don’t put the cart before the horse.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff.
• Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
• Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
• Easy come, easy go.
• Every cloud has a silver lining.
• Every dog has its day.
• Every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost.
• Familiarity breeds contempt.
• Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
• Give credit where credit is due.
• Good things come to those who wait.
• Haste makes waste.
• He who hesitates is lost.
• Home is where the heart is.
• Honesty is the best policy.
• Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
• If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
• If the shoe fits, wear it.
• Ignorance is bliss.
• It takes two to tango.
• Kill two birds with one stone.
• Laughter is the best medicine.
• Let bygones be bygones.
• Let sleeping dogs lie.
• Life is a journey, not a destination.
• Look before you leap.
• Money doesn’t grow on trees.
• Necessity is the mother of invention.
• No man is an island.
• Out of sight, out of mind.
• Practice makes perfect.
• Rome wasn’t built in a day.
• Seeing is believing.
• Silence is golden.
• Slow and steady wins the race.
• Speak softly and carry a big stick.
• Strike while the iron is hot.
• The early bird catches the worm.
• The grass is always greener on the other side.
• The pen is mightier than the sword.
• The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
• There’s no smoke without fire.
• There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
• Time heals all wounds.
• Too many cooks spoil the broth.
• Two heads are better than one.
• Two wrongs don’t make a right.
• Variety is the spice of life.
• Waste not, want not.
• What goes around comes around.
• When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
• Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
• You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
• You can’t judge a book by its cover.
• You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
• You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
• You reap what you sow.
• A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
• When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
• A watched pot never boils.
• The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
• People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
• A friend in need is a friend indeed.
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
• Fortune favors the bold.
• It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Below mentioned sentences showcase the usage of proverbs in everyday communication, each encapsulating a nugget of wisdom or advice.

• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. She decided to accept the job offer she had instead of waiting for a better one.
• Actions speak louder than words. Instead of promising to help, he actually showed up and assisted with the project.
• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Sarah was already planning her vacation before she had won the lottery, but she remembered not to count her chickens before they hatch.
• Every cloud has a silver lining. Despite losing his job, he found a new opportunity that he wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.
• Honesty is the best policy. Even though it was difficult, she admitted her mistake rather than trying to cover it up.
• The early bird catches the worm. Getting up early allowed him to finish his work before everyone else even arrived at the office.
• Don’t judge a book by its cover. Despite his rugged appearance, he turned out to be one of the kindest people she had ever met.
• Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Despite facing many obstacles, they were determined to make their business successful.
• You reap what you sow. By putting in the effort to study every day, she was able to ace her exams.
• Practice makes perfect. She knew that the more she practiced playing the piano, the better she would become.
• Two wrongs don’t make a right. Even though he was angry, he knew that seeking revenge wouldn’t solve the problem.
• When in Rome, do as the Romans do. While traveling abroad, she made sure to respect and follow the customs of the local culture.
• Necessity is the mother of invention. Faced with a power outage, they had to get creative and find alternative sources of light.
• You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Despite her best efforts, her grandfather refused to learn how to use a smartphone.
• Beggars can’t be choosers. Although she didn’t like the color, she was grateful for the jacket that was given to her.
• The grass is always greener on the other side. Even though she was unhappy with her job, she realized that others might envy her position.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Instead of investing all of his money in one stock, he diversified his portfolio.
• Better late than never. Although she missed the deadline, she still submitted her assignment, thinking it’s better late than never.
• Speak softly and carry a big stick. He preferred to avoid confrontation but was always prepared to defend himself if necessary.
• Familiarity breeds contempt. Spending too much time together led to them getting on each other’s nerves.

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Proverbs in English- FAQs

What are proverbs.

Proverbs are short, traditional sayings that offer wisdom, advice, or reflections on human behavior and experience. They are often passed down orally from generation to generation.

What is the use of proverbs?

Proverbs serve various purposes, including providing guidance for decision-making, teaching moral values, and conveying cultural wisdom. They offer concise and memorable insights into life situations and human nature.’

Where do proverbs come from?

Proverbs originate from diverse sources such as folklore, literature, religious texts, and oral traditions. They reflect the values, beliefs, and experiences of different cultures and societies throughout history.

How are proverbs used in everyday language?

Proverbs are commonly used in everyday language to emphasize a point, offer advice, or express a universal truth. They can be used in conversations, speeches, writing, and teaching to illustrate concepts or convey messages succinctly.

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50+ Popular Proverbs in English

What is a proverb.

A proverb is a brief, popular saying that expresses a common truth or piece of advice. It is a short statement that is usually handed down from generation to generation, often reflecting cultural and social values, and usually contains a moral lesson or a practical message. Proverbs can be found in all cultures and languages, and they often provide insights into the beliefs and practices of a particular community.

Proverbs are used to teach and convey wisdom, and they can be applied to a wide range of situations. They are often used in speeches, literature, and everyday conversations to make a point or emphasize a message. Some proverbs have become so popular that they have become idioms, or expressions whose meanings cannot be understood from the individual words alone.

Here are 50 popular English proverbs with their meanings and examples:

A picture is worth a thousand words. Meaning: A visual representation can convey an idea or message more effectively than words can. Example: I don’t have the words to describe my emotions, but this painting expresses them perfectly. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Actions speak louder than words. Meaning: What you do is more important than what you say. Example: Don’t tell me you’re going to clean your room, show me! Actions speak louder than words.

All that glitters is not gold. Meaning: Something that appears valuable or promising might not be as good as it seems. Example: I thought this job was going to be perfect, but after working here for a few weeks, I realized that all that glitters is not gold.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Meaning: Eating healthy foods can prevent illness and promote good health. Example: I always make sure to eat an apple with breakfast. An apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Barking dogs seldom bite. Meaning: People who make threats are often the least likely to follow through on them. Example: Don’t be afraid of the dog, he’s just barking to scare you. Barking dogs seldom bite.

Better late than never. Meaning: It’s better to do something late than to not do it at all. Example: I know I’m late with my homework, but I still want to turn it in. Better late than never.

Blood is thicker than water. Meaning: Family relationships are more important than friendships. Example: My friend wanted me to go to the party with her, but I promised my sister I would help her move. Blood is thicker than water.

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Meaning: Don’t assume that something will happen until it actually does. Example: I’m excited about the job offer, but I’m not going to start celebrating until I’ve signed the contract. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Meaning: Don’t risk everything on one opportunity. Example: I’m considering two different job offers. I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket, so I’m going to keep looking until I find the right fit.

Every cloud has a silver lining. Meaning: There is something positive to be found in every negative situation. Example: I was upset about losing my job, but now I have time to focus on my passion project. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Fortune favors the bold. Meaning: Taking risks can lead to great rewards. Example: I decided to start my own business, even though it was risky. Fortune favors the bold.

Hindsight is 20/20. Meaning: It’s easy to understand something after it has already happened. Example: I should have invested in that stock when I had the chance. Hindsight is 20/20.

Home is where the heart is. Meaning: A home is not just a physical place, but where one feels emotionally connected. Example: I love traveling, but I always look forward to coming back home. Home is where the heart is.

If the shoe fits, wear it. Meaning: If something applies to you, accept it. Example: I know I can be a bit of a perfectionist, but if the shoe fits, wear it.

Ignorance is bliss. Meaning: It’s better to not know about certain things, especially if they could cause worry or distress. Example: I wish I had never found out about the company’s financial problems. Ignorance is bliss, and now I can’t stop worrying about the future of my job.

It takes two to tango. Meaning: Both parties are responsible for a situation or problem. Example: The argument wasn’t just his fault. It takes two to tango.

Kill two birds with one stone. Meaning: Accomplish two tasks with a single action. Example: I need to go to the grocery store and the post office. If I combine the errands, I can kill two birds with one stone.

Laughter is the best medicine. Meaning: Laughing can have positive physical and emotional effects on a person’s well-being. Example: I was feeling down, but after watching a funny movie, I felt much better. Laughter is the best medicine.

Let sleeping dogs lie. Meaning: Don’t disturb a situation that could become dangerous or uncomfortable. Example: I don’t want to bring up the issue with my boss again. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Live and learn. Meaning: People can learn from their mistakes and experiences. Example: I made a mistake in the presentation, but I’ll do better next time. Live and learn.

Money doesn’t grow on trees. Meaning: Money is not unlimited and should be spent wisely. Example: I know you want the latest phone, but money doesn’t grow on trees. We need to stick to our budget.

No pain, no gain. Meaning: Success requires hard work and effort. Example: I know training for the marathon is tough, but no pain, no gain.

Out of sight, out of mind. Meaning: People forget about things that are not immediately visible or present. Example: I haven’t seen my old friend in years. Out of sight, out of mind.

Practice makes perfect. Meaning: Repetition and practice can lead to improvement. Example: I’m not very good at playing the guitar yet, but practice makes perfect.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Meaning: Great accomplishments take time and effort. Example: I know we have a lot to do, but we can’t expect to finish everything in one day. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Slow and steady wins the race. Meaning: Consistent effort and perseverance can lead to success. Example: I’m not the fastest runner, but slow and steady wins the race.

The early bird catches the worm. Meaning: Being proactive and starting early can lead to success. Example: I always wake up early to get a head start on my work. The early bird catches the worm.

The grass is always greener on the other side. Meaning: People tend to desire what they don’t have. Example: I wish I had a bigger house like my friend, but the grass is always greener on the other side.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Meaning: The true quality or value of something can only be determined by experiencing it. Example: I’m not sure if this restaurant is good or not. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Meaning: Everything has a cost or a catch. Example: The seminar may be free, but there’s no such thing as a free lunch. We’ll probably be sold something.

Time heals all wounds. Meaning: Emotional pain will lessen over time. Example: I was devastated after the breakup, but time heals all wounds.

Two wrongs don’t make a right. Meaning: Retaliation or revenge is not justified. Example: Sarah stole money from her roommate, so her roommate stole Sarah’s phone in revenge. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and now both Sarah and her roommate have done something wrong.

Every dog has his day Meaning: Everyone will have their moment of success or good luck at some point in their life. Example: After years of hard work, Sarah finally received the promotion she had been working towards. Every dog has his day, she thought, as she realized that her persistence and dedication had paid off.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Meaning: When visiting a foreign place or culture, it’s best to follow the customs and norms of that place. Example: In Japan, it’s customary to take off your shoes when entering a home. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Meaning: Rumors or suspicions often have some basis in truth. Example: People have been saying that the company is going bankrupt. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Meaning: You can’t have everything you want. Sometimes, choices must be made. Example: I want to save money, but I also want to travel. I can’t have my cake and eat it too.

You can’t judge a book by its cover. Meaning: Appearances can be deceiving. You can’t know everything about someone or something just by looking at it. Example: She may seem quiet, but you can’t judge a book by its cover. She’s actually very talented.

You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs. Meaning: Achieving a goal often involves making sacrifices or facing difficulties. Example: Starting a business is risky, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.

You reap what you sow. Meaning: Your actions have consequences, either positive or negative. Example: If you work hard and treat people well, you’ll reap what you sow.

It’s a piece of cake. Meaning: Something is easy or simple to do. Example: Don’t worry, this project is a piece of cake.

It’s not over until the fat lady sings. Meaning: Don’t assume the outcome of a situation until it’s actually finished. Example: The game is tied, but it’s not over until the fat lady sings.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Meaning: Children often have similar qualities or behaviors to their parents. Example: Mark is a successful businessman, just like his father. It seems that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. Meaning: You can give someone an opportunity or offer assistance, but you can’t force them to accept it or use it. Example: I gave him a book on how to improve his English, but he never read it. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

It is no use locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. Meaning: it is useless to take action after the damage has already been done. Example: Tom forgot to save his work on his computer and then it crashed. He realized that it was no use locking the stable door after the horse has bolted, as his work was already lost.

Many hands make light work Meaning: A task can be completed more easily and quickly if many people help to do it. Example: When they organized the community cleanup, the residents followed the proverb many hands make light work and divided themselves into teams to clean up the streets, parks, and public places.

A stitch in time saves nine Meaning: it’s better to deal with a problem early, before it gets worse or becomes harder to fix. Example: Jane noticed a small hole in her shirt and decided to stitch it up right away. A stitch in time saves nine, she thought, and by fixing the hole early, she prevented it from getting larger and more difficult to repair later.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder Meaning: That what one person finds beautiful, another may not. Example : John finds his dog the most beautiful animal in the world but his friend Arthur does not think she is beautiful at all. Each person sees beauty in different things.

A bad workman always blames his tools Meaning: Someone who performs poorly will often try to shift the blame to external factors, such as their tools or equipment, instead of taking responsibility for their own shortcomings. Example: After losing the game, the tennis player blamed his racket for his poor performance instead of admitting that he had played badly. He was behaving like a bad workman who always blames his tools.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder Meaning: The lack of something or someone can increase our appreciation and love for them. Example: After being away from his family for several months, Tom realized that absence makes the heart grow fonder, as he missed them more than he had ever thought possible and appreciated them even more when he returned home.

Strike while the iron is hot Meaning: To take advantage of an opportunity while it is still available or at its peak. Example: He knew that he had to strike while the iron is hot because the job would be in high demand and the competition would be tough.

Honesty is the best policy Meaning: It is always better to tell the truth and be honest, even if the truth might be difficult to hear or share. Example: Although it was difficult to admit the error, he knew that honesty is the best policy, and he wanted to maintain his integrity and reputation.

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•    English Proverbs and their Meanings

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English proverbs and their meanings.

• Chloe Daniel
• Published On: August 23 ,2021

Communication is the key, and if you know how to communicate in the English language, the chances of your growth in professional and social circles are higher. There are so  many ways to learn English  to help you learn and understand this international language better. To boost your communication skills and professional career, you need to start using English phrases, sentences, or words in daily conversation. To start from the basics, make English proverbs a part of your daily speech.Because in the beginning, you might not sound fluent, but it will be full of wisdom and meanings.

There are thousands of English. American and British, Asian: China, Japan, Korea, India, and other Asian countries, Arabic, Jewish, Russian, Latin American Proverbs. It shows the world is filled with proverb examples, and every language and culture has them.

If you have no idea about Proverbs, then don’t worry your head. Because you will surely finish this blog with the complete knowledge of Proverbs so keep reading.

What are Proverbs?

Proverbs are the famous short wisdom statements filled with common sense, truth, and popular advice. Proverbs are known for stating the facts or announcing the naïve truth. This part of speech encapsulates the diversity of each culture and the common heritage of men.

Proverbs are those short and witty sentences that are often used as a bit of comedy. The witty little proverb saying comes with a history, stupid or intellectual experiences, or some fundamental truth. Some misunderstand proverbs with quotes, whereas both are entirely different. Proverbs have so many definitions to explain their exact meaning, and the exciting part of this all is that some definitions of Proverbs are the Proverbs themselves. For example, ‘proverbs are the lamp of speech,’ is the definition of a proverb, also known as an Arabic proverb. To speak a language, you must learn the meanings of words; this is the same case with proverbs in daily conversation. If you want to sound witty and intellectual, you must know the exact meaning of it too.

A proverb is a combination of words with a specific meaning. The source of proverbs is usually the people, and you need to understand proverbs, not literally since they often have a special meaning. Proverbs carry much important information and wisdom, so you need to learn proverbs to develop your knowledge. Proverbs are part of the story, and they allow you to understand the thinking of certain people. Each nation has its proverbs, and to better understand the people, it is necessary to delve into the meaning of the proverbs. The question arises as to how to learn proverbs, and the answer is quite simple. You need to learn them by heart or try to understand the thinking of a particular person to whom these proverbs belong. The peoples’ thoughts are approximately the same, and almost all have come to certain conclusions and certain wisdom. That is why one thought is expressed in different words when everyone understands what it means. You should not look for the direct meaning of a statement in proverbs, but try to read between the lines what it is about. Some proverbs arose among certain people, but some are simply translated almost literally. You can translate proverbs word for word, but you need to think like those who got this proverb to understand the meaning. If you can’t do this, then you just need to learn certain expressions and their meaning. Proverbs are not only a poetic expression of the thoughts of the people but also a storehouse of wisdom. Proverbs are easy to learn with the help of associations, comparisons, and the presence of a developed imagination. If this is the first time you come across the fact that you need to remember proverbs, you have a good opportunity to develop your imagination and memory. Often proverbs are taught when learning a foreign language, allowing you to improve your knowledge of a particular language. You should not try to learn all the proverbs at once; it is enough just to learn a few sayings every day, for example, and repeat what was taught the day before. To increase the effectiveness of the learning process, one can think about where these proverbs can be applied. In any case, it is useful to learn proverbs, especially when you are learning a foreign language, as this is additional useful knowledge. Alina Burakova Chief Writer at  Edu Reviewer

Keep reading, you will learn all the famous English Proverbs, meanings and their examples, and a lot more.

Famous Proverbs and their meanings:

Always put your best   foot forward ..

This English proverb is mainly used when you give another person some advice like they might be going to try something difficult for the first time and need to start from their best attitude and work or ask someone to build a good impression in front of the others. You can use this excellent proverb for yourself like you tried your best to gain someone’s attention or approval positively. For example, ‘I tried to give the right answers and put my best foot forward during my job interview.’

All are not thieves that the dogs bark at.

It’s being observed that dogs bark at thieves mostly, maybe because they are good at sensing problems. But they are not always right as one person’s appearance can be deceptive. Neither good looks mean the person is noble or honest, nor bad looks go with sin. So to stop anyone from judging others on their appearances, you can make use of this famous proverb.

A rolling stone gathers no moss.

This English proverb has a real-life example too. If you ever noticed, a tiny plant started growing on a stone when it stays in one place for a long time. But the moving stones remain bare and free. And the same is the case with people. If you see a person moving and changing places like a free bird and carrying no job responsibility, family, or friends, you can address him as a rolling stone gathers no moss.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

One of the famous Proverbs that are used by kids too. Whenever they find out that their particular friend did not show up in the time of need, they use it to criticize their absence. Other than this, it can be used to assure someone that you will be there when needed or appreciate one’s presence in a tough time. For example, ‘Dear John, I will always remember your help. A friend in need is a friend indeed.’

Don’t talk the talk if you can’t walk the walk.

Sometimes people’s actions do not match with their words, and to stop anyone from taking what they can’t perform or practice in the real world, you can say, ‘don’t talk the talk if you can’t walk the walk.’ Furthermore, you can also use ‘talk the talk, walk the walk’ when you want the other person to talk but show you the results. One of the best English proverbs to use in your conversations is to sound like a native English speaker.

All’s well that ends well.

This proverb got fame because William Shakespeare used it as one of his famous play titles. Such a simple line sums up the hurdles and problems one faces if the goal is achieved successfully. Or if a person has done or performed well through the whole work process and now they are waiting for the results, then you can encourage them by saying, ‘Don’t worry brother, all’s well that ends well.’

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

This phrase is used as a piece of advice when a person is ungrateful or unthankful towards the one who has helped in a lousy time or still helping. ‘you should not bite the hand that feeds you’ means you should not be unappreciative of the helping hand you get, this is disrespectful behavior.

Don’t make a mountain out of an anthill.

Some people exaggerate the tiny situations and make a big issue of it dramatically. This English proverb is to remind them to hold a breath, think for a moment. Is this all-important? Does it matter? If not.Then there’s no point in making a mountain out of an anthill. For example, ‘his mother just asks him to lower down his pitch, but he made a mountain out of an anthill.’

Easy come, easy go

This famous proverb is used chiefly after losing something that one has got easily and causes no concern. Anything that comes without struggle or hard work has more chances of vanishing quickly, and it can be fame, money, love. The more you work hard to earn something, the higher are the chances of it staying in your life. People shrug and say ‘easy come, easy go’ on what they have not worked hard to earn.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Everything has its pros and cons. The same is the case with negative situations that occur in our lives; they come with something good or positive thing – you have to look for it. If someone has failed at their first project, reminding them ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ will make them feel better and keep going. For example, ‘as they say, every cloud has a silver lining, if you hadn’t lost your job, you would never start your own business.’

All cats love fish but hate to get their paws wet.

Suppose you are a part of a discussion where everyone states facts about how everybody wants to succeed with no hard work and lack of self-discipline, wasting their precious time wishing or waiting for a miracle to happen. Then you can wrap the whole meeting up by saying, ‘you are right, all cats love fish but hate to get their paws wet.’

Bitter pills may have blessed effects.

People say that tough decisions are hard to make, but they end up showing great results. The same is the case with medicines; all are bitter but cure the pain. To assure yourself or the other person that taking any unpleasant or painful path or decision might help them in the long run. This proverb can be quoted as needed for time.

Better late than never.

Sometimes, you need to use meaningful words to motivate yourself or your fellow to do something after procrastinating for too long. In such situations, you can say ‘better late than never. It means, starting late is better than never doing anything or taking the initiative.

Close but no cigar.

This phrase is used when you or someone have almost succeeded in any game or attempt but didn’t get the actual first prize or the win. For example, if someone is close to winning, yet so far in any competition, you can express it as, ‘he tried to win the race, it was close but no cigar.’ It’s a decent way to say that they have had things right but not completely.

Don’t judge a book by its cover.

You can use this as a metaphorical proverb and saying smartly in between conversations. Just because you know what’s on the surface doesn’t mean you know all the details. In other words, it means you should not prejudge someone based on their appearance, opinions, or dress because a book with a boring cover page can be exciting or full of knowledge. There’s always a lot more if you see or give it a chance. You can make use of this famous proverb as ‘She looks very cheeky and introvert but don’t judge a book by its cover- as she is a social butterfly.’

Fortune favors the brave.

Success demands risks, and the person who is willing to take risks gets victorious. And this English proverb, ‘fortune favors the brave,’ gives the same message. One has to make bold decisions, and fortune will reward him with success because good things come to those who struggle for it.

Garbage in, garbage out.

If you make a product using poor quality material, you will get the inferior quality product, of course. In other words, you can’t expect a healthy meal prepared from inferior ingredients. Primarily this English proverb is used by computer programmers, as poorly manufactured programs turn out drastic because garbage in, garbage out, simple.

Idle hands are the devil’s playthings.

When people have nothing to do, they started doing things that get them in trouble. An old English proverb can use it as ‘parents should keep their kids busy all the time because idle hands are the devil’s playthings.’ The advice conveyed through this phrase is worth taking.

Jack of all trades and master of none.

This phrase refers to a person who does so many things but does not excel in any of them. Mainly it is used to complement or appreciate the generalist behavior of a person. For example, ‘my brother is a jack of all traders, as he can repair machines, study in law school, knows how to cook and renovate the house.’

Health is wealth.

This famous American Proverb is used worldwide as it is the main ingredient of a healthy and wealthy life. If a person is not wealthy but is blessed with good health, then he has an opportunity to do anything, learn a skill, or work hard to be wealthy. But if a person has wealth but not health, then it is useless. So, the bottom line is, if you want to be wealthy, then health should be your number one priority because ‘health is wealth.’

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

This proverb alerts people about the situation that can make them feel sorry later. For example, it takes nothing to wear a mask or seatbelt or check the door lock before leaving home, turning off flame when kids are around. But if you will show negligence in such a simple task, bad things can happen and make you regret it forever. So it is better to be safe than sorry.

It takes two to tango.

Some events happen in life that can’t happen alone. They need more than one person, just like it takes two to communicate or perform specific actions. Primarily this proverb is used during a quarrel when one blames everything on the other. And a fight can’t be possible without the involvement of two people or parties. Like, you will say, ‘Don’t blame her husband for the arguments, it takes two to tango. She is equally responsible.’

Look before you leap.

The proverb ‘look before you leap’ is another way of guiding oneself to not jump to conclusions in a rush. Instead, look for all the outcomes it can bring and how the particular action or decision will help you in the long run. You can use it as ‘you have suffered a lot, I hope next time, you will look before you leap.’

Many hands make light work.

This English proverb is on the unity of people or teamwork. If many people work together to achieve one goal, then the chances of accomplishing the goal are higher and quick. The division of tasks among many hands (people) also lessens the workload.

Practice makes perfect.

To teach others  how to speak English frequently , you must have command of it. And practicing English will make you excel in this language. Nobody learns everything in one day or at once; even the experts you see today were beginners and have done hours of practice. This proverb gives the same advice that you have to practice more often if you want to be a master in anything.

Strike while the iron is hot.

This old English proverb is come after observing the blacksmith’s work and experience how he takes advantage of hot iron. Similarly, people should take advantage of the chance or an opportunity they get. Because once it’s gone, you might have it again. You can use this English proverb as ‘he mostly strikes while the iron is hot and gets the best.’

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

This proverb teaches us to take care or keep an eye on our things because when we check other people’s lifestyles or things, we ultimately assume they are happier than us. It’s human nature that leads to jealousy. That’s why it is being said, no matter how much one is blessed, for them, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

This proverb states that one person can’t do two things together because of the nature of both works’ conflicts. So it is impossible. Better to choose one option and stay happy. And it is the exact thought behind this proverb. Otherwise, you can indeed have your cake and eat it too!

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

This old proverb is from the ancient days, and it’s a rule to visit any place. Every place has its customs and traditions, and a visitor should follow that to enjoy the trip and stay away from any trouble. Note that this proverb is not only for Romans or Rome; you can use it as, ‘people often forget to try when in Rome, do as Romans and gets in trouble while travelling.’

Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

It proved with hundreds of examples that if you really want something and work for it, sooner or later, you get that! This proverb states the same meaning. You can use this to encourage yourself and others who are struggling hard to be successful. ‘There’s a way’ tells us that no matter how hard things get, there is always a solution or a way out. You always find means to get rid of a problem if you want to.

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

It is one of the famous and most spoken proverbs. When a lot of people start doing one thing at a time, things get worst. Everybody has their ways of doing things, and too many opinions on one project can ruin it. If a company has more than ten decision-makers, it will surely disturb the whole management as too many cooks spoil the broth.

If you can’t beat them, join them.

If your opponents are too strong and you can’t defeat them, then you should move to their side or join them and learn what made them strong. This proverb can be used as a warning or a suggestion. Politicians are noticed mostly following this proverb.

Honesty is the best policy.

If you are honest, you won’t have to carry the weight of this double-dealing world with you. This great proverb states the rule of an easy and stress-free life: if you are honest and speak the truth, no matter how harmful its consequences can be, you live with the best policy of life instead of lying. You do not have fears of being caught lying or deceiving someone. Other than this, people will respect and trust you.

First things first

Having order in life is essential; you have to start from smaller ones to catch the big fish. You can’t skip the learning phase or initiation steps to accomplish your goals. This English proverb is to remind our responsibilities and proper priorities. For example, if you are starving and working on a project, have dinner first because first things first.

Actions speak louder than words.

What someone has done speaks more volumes than what they say a lot. This great proverb has a meaning that comes from history or experience and gives a life lesson too. So to tell someone to be careful of specific people or ask them to do something significant other than just talking, you can use this proverb.

Beggars can’t be choosers.

When you are in the worst situation, you can use this proverb and have only one choice or solution available. Also, ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ can be used in a situation when someone demands quality or quantity, even though they are getting things in charity or donations. Furthermore, some people use this proverb to mention someone’s ungratefulness.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

This proverb or saying is not on the Apple diet only. Yes, Apple is a source of consuming Vitamin C, but it is a healthy diet that keeps you fit and away from doctor visits. If you visit someone who gets ill more often because of a poor diet, then you can advise them by saying, ‘remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.’

If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

People should quit the things that bother them. It can be anything, a job, an unpleasant event, or a person’s company. This phrase is used to tell them to stop doing things that they don’t want to do. And if they can’t, they should stop talking or complaining about it.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

There is an unpleasant feeling when you take a big bite that you cannot swallow or chew easily, same is the case when you agree on doing the work or projects you can’t handle. In simple words, this proverb is used to alert people that do not agree on doing the work you can’t accomplish easily or comfortably. For example, ‘I would like to suggest John that don’t bite off more than you can chew by accepting the project proposal without experience.’

Fall seven times. Stand up eight.

This famous phrase is the translation of the Japanese Proverb, which encourages people to get up and start again no matter how many times they fail or get knocked down. What is important is that you don’t give up. Because giving up is an absolute failure. Remember, the sky is the limit!

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

If you put all your resources into one thing, the chances of risk are high. This English proverb is used as advice to tell people not to depend on one single plan. Instead of this, they should diversify their wealth and have more than one job. Because if you rely on one plan only, you will be left with nothing if that fails. So, don’t put all your eggs in one basket, be wary!

What can’t be cured must be endured.

If something doesn’t need to be fixed, don’t. Why waste time to change something when you can’t change it? Live by it. Indeed, The world has changed a lot, but some problems or facts still can’t be changed or cured. There’s no other way. So instead of being a part of a long’ what if’ debate, use the ‘what can’t be cured, must be endured’ proverb.

It’s the tip of the iceberg.

This proverb is used to address the significant part of the problem that is hidden yet. Or you can say this is used to tell the small or minor part of the actual big problem. Just like an iceberg shows its small amount on the surface, and rest of it is hidden underwater. You can imagine the rest of the case or situation by just seeing the tip of the iceberg.

People sometimes expect a lot from the outcome of an idea of work or plan before even starting it, so this phrase is written for them. You can use this proverb as ‘Why are you throwing a job party without its confirmation? Please don’t count your chicken before they hatch.’ This witty phrase will surely make other people think of all the assumptions they have made.

It’s no use crying over spilt milk.

Some people like to cry about the things that have happened years ago, which can’t be changed. This proverb has the exact meaning that it is useless to cry or get upset over bad events or decisions that can never change. For example, ‘I know you have missed the opportunity but it is no use crying over spilt milk now, look for another job!’

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

One of those English Proverbs that you can use without explaining the whole background or the feeling shows that you have realized the importance of something or someone when you can’t see them again. Like you can say, ‘I used to hate going out with friends, but now I miss the fun. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.’

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

When someone compliments something that others don’t like or find appealing, you can use this proverb. It means that different people see beauty in different things from their point of view because everybody’s definition of beauty is unique. It is a beautiful phrase to use instead of saying thank you when someone compliments the way you look.

Curiosity killed the cat.

As curiosity means when you look for answers excitedly or eagerly, and sometimes it leads you to dangerous situations, just like cats, you must have seen them falling or getting trap or stuck up. That’s when you use this proverb to alert a human that stops being so curious because curiosity killed the cat.

Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it.

It’s an old and witty proverb about life that means don’t worry about the things that have not happened yet, leave them on the time when they arise as some people have a habit of thinking about the things that might happen and worry about them in advance. So to stop others from pondering over the situation until it happens, you can use this English proverb.

First deserve, then desire.

‘First deserve, then desire’ is a great English proverb to acknowledge people that they should prove themselves worthy of certain fame or success before wishing for it. For example, if a person wants to be a successful web developer but does not learn or practice it enough to improve himself, you can apply this proverb.

Grasp all, lose all.

This English proverb is a warning for greedy people. Some people try to get too much of everything and end up losing it all, and this is a fact. This old proverb has examples of people how have lost everything because of their greed. Kids in their early ages have listened to stories of people with grasp all, lose all, moral lessons.

He who laughs last laughs best.

It is a witty phrase to use in your conversation as it will make the listeners think and learn from it. Its meaning is oriented and knows how to control a situation or people who give an image that they are losing, mostly wins, and their chances of success are more. You can use this proverb when you want to encourage others to be patient until the final results. Like, ‘his team started celebrating before the final results and we won, well, he who laughs last, laugh best.’

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

We all have observed that a broken or a stopped clock tells the correct time twice a day. This proverb is to give people that wrong or unreliable people can be right sometimes with the information they give. Like, if your friend gives you a suggestion on something they have never done before and turns outright, then you can make use of this proverb.

If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.

This proverb is another way of assuring other people that if they have helped me someday somewhere, then I’ll help you. Learn this English proverb and make use of it most often.

Ignorance is bliss.

It’s being said that when you don’t know a thing, it can’t hurt you. This proverb has the same meaning: don’t worry if you are unaware of specific problems and how worst they can get. You can use this proverb as ‘I never keep up with the world’s bad news because ignorance is bliss.’

The early bird catches the worm.

This proverb is another way of saying, show up early; otherwise, you will miss the best deals. The first-come, a first-serve policy is what we are talking about here. If you want to get the best, you need to arrive first to get the best option. For example, if you want to get the best clothes from a sale, you have to reach the store early. Otherwise, good products will finish, or the store will be empty. It is why birds are often seen flying for food early in the morning because they want the best.

The cat is out of the bag.

When a surprise or a secret gets exposed or revealed, then you say, ‘the cat is out of the bag.’ It is an old expression to tell other people that things they were keeping secret are now exposed accidentally. You can also use this English proverb when someone is trying to be secretive even after being exposed, like, ‘come on John, the cat is out of the bag now, stop pretending like this.’

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

The war or a fight will never end if you keep responding to the other person or team with the same disloyalty, harmful acts, or bad attitude, just the way they do to you. Just because someone has done wrong with you, doing the same with them is not acceptable. Such behaviors do not solve the problem, that when you use this proverb, ‘two wrongs don’t make a right.’

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Have you ever visited Rome? Such a beautiful city. And obviously, it was not built in a day or short time. It is what this phrase is about. To emphasize that to get admirable results, you cannot expect it after day work. Remember, it takes years to make an empire. To be successful, you have to work for days, weeks, and years sometimes. You can use this English proverb as, ‘I have worked for years to get this fame, Rome was not built in a day.’

You know the tree by its fruit.

You must have heard the saying,’ a man is known by the company he keeps.’ Similarly, this English proverb means you can judge a person’s character by their deeds and company. For instance, a teen from a company of smokers will be a smoker.

You made your bed, and now you have to lie in it.

It is one of those English proverbs used to tell someone that whatever has happened is the result of their deeds. You made your bed is used to emphasize that everyone knows how they like their bed before sleeping. You have to do this job on your own because you have to lie on it at the end of the day. For example, ‘Stop complaining about the workplace you chose by your own choice, you made your bed, now lie on it.’

Shit or get off the pot.

Some people do not do anything productive but also talk about how their goals are not being achieved. And to advise such people, use a proverb or saying ‘shit or get off the pot,’ which means either do something that leads you towards your goals or step back; there’s no point in wasting time talking around. For example, ‘you are talking about working on the same idea from last week. Shit or get off the pot.’

People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

Quite an interesting English proverb to advise people or alert them about the consequences of their wrong action. For example, if a person is too sensitive to handle criticism, they should not criticize others. Give what you are willing to receive back. Some people have a habit of judging others on their faults which they have that’s why ‘people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones’ is for them.

Never say die

You must have heard people saying, ‘never give up, ‘try again,’ or ‘keep trying.’ This English Proverb has the exact meaning; you can use this in your conversation as ‘never say die, Jane, you just need more practice to learn it.’

Still waters run deep.

People who are quiet and calm are mostly considered more intellectual, having interesting or deep personalities. This English Proverb has used water to describe such thoughtful personalities. But water’s calmness is not always a good signal, and there might be a storm afterward. The same is the case with people, and not all quiet people are a safe place to go; they might cause you a problem or put you in trouble. So, you never know! For example, ‘He rarely give his opinions in the meeting, still waters run deep.’

Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.

‘Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas’ means you become who you hang out with or spend time a lot. It is human nature that they acquire one and other habits, good or bad. To inform or advise someone about the bad company effects, you can use it as, ‘avoid hanging out with them all, don’t you know if you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas?’

Learn to walk before you run.

You can understand the meaning of this English Proverb from the real-life example; to learn how to walk or run, kids take baby steps first. And in life’s simple or complicated things, you have to do everything in the correct order. You will fail initially, but to excel in anything, you must learn the whole process and then start working. Being patient and following the roadmap is the key to success.

Live and let live.

It is one of the famous English Proverbs about life. To make the world a better place, people should stop poking their noses in other’s business. Everybody has their way of doing things, and criticism of one’s act of deeds makes things worst. Be witty enough to use this Proverb in your conversations and also act according to its meaning. Accept things, don’t try to change people or anything, live and let live.

Money doesn’t grow on trees.

Some people waste money a lot and the proverb ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’ is for them. You have to work hard to earn money because you cannot simply regrow money from a plant or tree-like fruits or vegetables. Use this great proverb as, ‘to be financially responsible you need to learn Money doesn’t grow on trees, first.’

Man proposes, but God disposes.

This English proverb states the fact that no matter how many plans a person made to spend his whole life, in the end, things turn out the way God wanted. Nobody can deny the supernatural power, i.e., God’s power which sometimes goes against human plans. But it’s also true where a man puts his efforts; God takes control of it too. Like, you can say, ‘we have given our best in the competition, lets see what the result will be. Well, man proposes, God disposes.’

The forbidden fruit is always the sweetest.

It’s human nature as he likes to do what he’s allowed to do. Primarily kids like to do the things they are asked not to do, and they find pleasure in it. That’s what it is being said; the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest. For example, ‘He picked the career that his father has strictly stopped him from, because the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest.’

No news is good news.

Everybody likes to get good news, but there are times when bad things happen, but nobody is sure of the exact news. That’s when you say no news is good news. Even though you want to know what’s going around but still, knowing bad is better than knowing nothing. For example, ‘I believe no news is a good news, but still she should inform me about her early departure reason.’

You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.

If you don’t like to break eggs, then you can never make an omelet. Likewise, to get things done, you have to get out of your comfort zone, break some rules, or might offend some people. If you truly believe the results and outcomes it will bring, then give up the essential or useless things. The accomplishment of goals demands risks and unpleasant experiences. Use this witty English Proverb as, ‘just as you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs, you need to work very hard to get the engineering degree.’

Money talks

This English proverb emphasizes the power that money brings. Also, it influences people to get things done in their way. Instead of creating the whole scenario, you can say ‘money talks’ to make the other person understand the situation. For example, ‘he has his own ways of getting things done, money talks!’

My hands are tied.

When you are helpless and can’t go out of the way to do something, then you can say, ‘my hands are tied.’ When such a situation happens, you can’t break the rules to get things done; otherwise, it can go against you. For example, sometimes, to sell your products, you have to lower the prices. It might not go as planned, but to finish the stock, you have to do so. Then you can tell your team that ‘my hands are tied, lower the prices and sell them all.’

Finally . . .

Learn these English Proverbs and their meanings, and use them in your conversations, and sound like a native speaker. Know that these are just a few proverbs, or you may call them the tip of the iceberg. Using Proverbs not only spice up the dialogues but also makes you sound witty. One must learn to walk before you run so,  learn how to speak English  first, and make your English speaking skills better. It will surely improve your quality of life.

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39+ Easy Proverbs in English to Improve Communication and Writing Skills

• Updated on  
• Aug 17, 2024

Easy Proverbs in English: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, is a famous proverb that means that with proper knowledge, one has the power to change the world. So, one has the power to change the course of life and writing with the help of proverbs. These are short sayings which offer pieces of wisdom and advice to people to change the course of their lives. To read more easy proverbs in English, continue reading this blog.  

This Blog Includes:

List of easy proverbs in english with meaning, easy proverbs in english for essay writing , simple proverbs for story writing , proverbs in english for kids.

Learn all about Proverbs here!

By now, you are aware of what proverbs are so to give you a better idea we have compiled a list of easy proverbs in English along with meanings. This will help you learn more about life through these proverbs.

Also Read: 11 Best Proverbs on Wisdom in Leadership with Meaning

Did you know just by including relatable phrases, idioms, or proverbs in your essay can take it to the next level? Well, here are some of the powerful proverbs in English for essay writing for you. 

Also Read: 21 Best Proverbs for Essay Writing (with Meaning) for Students

Many of you like writing, this is where the role of proverbs comes into the picture. Proverbs help enhance writing as they have a rich vocabulary . Check out this list of easy proverbs in English suitable for writing. 

Also Read: 17 Best Proverbs for Confidence to Boost Your Personality 

Proverbs are taught to students in school where they learn all about these short sayings that help them in studying and moving ahead in life. Similarly, we have compiled a list of easy proverbs in English which are of a level of the kids. 

Also Read: 15+ Best Proverbs about Teaching with Meaning

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. – Proverbs 12:25 #Bible — In Touch Ministries (@InTouchMin) June 2, 2024

Find more reads on Proverbs Below!

Proverbs are short sayings that offer advice or wisdom to people to move ahead in their lives. 

Some of the most famous sayings include: “A penny saved is a penny earned,” “Actions speak louder than words,” and “Every cloud has a silver lining.”

This proverb implies that regularly practising something can help one in mastering what they are trying to acquire. 

This was all about easy proverbs in English. Hope you understand the concept and know how to proceed. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to grammar. 

Malvika Chawla

Malvika is a content writer cum news freak who comes with a strong background in Journalism and has worked with renowned news websites such as News 9 and The Financial Express to name a few. When not writing, she can be found bringing life to the canvasses by painting on them.

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Essay on Proverbs: Timeless Wisdom in Every Word

Proverbs, succinct expressions of wisdom handed down through generations, serve as a treasure trove of cultural insights and practical guidance. In the tapestry of language, proverbs are like colorful threads weaving stories of resilience, morality, and human experience. This essay delves into the significance of proverbs, exploring their timeless relevance and the invaluable lessons they impart in our daily lives.

Quick Overview:

• Condensed Wisdom: Proverbs are concise expressions that encapsulate profound wisdom in a few words. Rooted in the collective experiences of cultures, they distill complex truths into simple, memorable phrases. Proverbs act as concise guides, offering nuggets of timeless wisdom that can be applied to various aspects of life.
• Cultural Reflection: Proverbs are mirrors reflecting the ethos of a culture. Each proverb is a product of its cultural context, embodying the values, beliefs, and experiences of a community. Through proverbs, we gain insights into the cultural identity, moral compass, and societal norms of a people.
• Moral and Ethical Guidance: Many proverbs carry moral and ethical lessons. They often serve as ethical compasses, guiding individuals in making righteous decisions. Proverbs like “Honesty is the best policy” or “Actions speak louder than words” encapsulate enduring moral principles that transcend time and cultural boundaries.
• Practical Life Lessons: Proverbs offer practical life lessons derived from common experiences. Whether it’s facing challenges, building relationships, or managing resources, proverbs provide pragmatic advice. For example, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” warns against premature expectations, urging patience and caution.
• Cultural Preservation: Proverbs play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage. Passed down orally from generation to generation, proverbs are carriers of cultural memory. They ensure that the collective wisdom, humor, and resilience of a culture endure, fostering a sense of continuity and connection to the past.

Conclusion: In conclusion, proverbs are not merely linguistic ornaments; they are windows into the collective wisdom of humanity. These succinct expressions serve as timeless guides, offering practical advice, moral insights, and cultural reflections. In a world where information flows rapidly, proverbs stand as pillars of stability, providing enduring truths that resonate across generations.

As we encounter proverbs in our daily lives, we should appreciate the depth of wisdom they carry. Each proverb is a distillation of the experiences, observations, and reflections of those who came before us. In embracing and passing on these linguistic gems, we contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage and the perpetuation of universal truths that withstand the test of time.

Proverbs, with their economy of words and richness of meaning, remind us that wisdom is not confined to the pages of books but is embedded in the everyday language we speak. They serve as a reminder that, despite the complexities of the modern world, the essence of human experience remains rooted in enduring values and lessons that find expression in the timeless beauty of proverbs.

Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.

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Essay on important and famous Proverb

Table of Contents

Proverb is a simple and factual saying said by the experienced and great personalities of any country over any subject. Proverbs are generally prove the real facts in the life. All the proverbs said are generally express truth or advice based on the common sense. Proverbs said by the personalities become the practical experiences of the humanity.

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Proverbs may be over discipline, health, ethics, time, education, cleanliness, hygiene, diseases, honesty, knowledge, etc. Here we have provided variety of essay on proverbs said by the famous personalities all over the world. Students can be assigned in their schools or colleges to discuss meaning, prove the fact or write some paragraphs or full essay on any proverb given by the teacher or examiner. You can select any proverb essay given below under different words limit.

What is Proverbs?

An English proverb is a short, wise saying that people use to give advice or share a truth about life. These sayings are so common that native English speakers might use them in conversations without even realizing it.

Proverbs can make it easier to explain things. For example, instead of saying, “We need to talk to the client before any other company does to be successful,” someone can simply say, “the early bird catches the worm.” Everyone will understand what they mean. Proverbs use familiar words to convey a message that everyone knows.

Proverbs are often used to make a point or share wisdom. They are different from regular speech because they use metaphors or symbols. Some proverbs are tied to specific cultures or places, but most are known and used by people from all around the world, and they get passed down from one generation to the next.

Surprisingly, some of the oldest proverbs were written by the Sumerians about 4,000 years ago. Researchers found tablets with over a thousand of these Sumerian sayings. When they translated them, they realized how timeless and universal these bits of wisdom are, showing that proverbs connect people across different times and places.

And just to be clear, English proverbs are not the same as the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament.

Popular Proverbs in English for Students

• Many hands make light work: When lots of folks work together on a tough job, it doesn’t feel as tough. This saying means that when people collaborate, the work becomes simpler and gets done faster.

Strike while the iron is hot: This saying suggests that you should make the most of a good opportunity before it goes away or turns into something less favorable.

Honesty is the best policy: The right thing to do is to be truthful and honest. When you do this, people will trust and respect you.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence: People often think that others have happier and more successful lives than their own, even when things are going well for them.

Don’t judge a book by its cover: Try not to decide what you think about someone or something just by how it looks on the outside.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away: This saying suggests that eating healthy, like apples, with lots of vitamin C, helps keep us healthy and reduces trips to the doctor. In this English saying, apples represent good, nutritious food.

Better late than never: It’s often better to do something later than to never do it.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you: Don’t mistreat the person or people you rely on or who look after you in any manner

Rome wasn’t built in a day: Great or important things require a certain amount of time to be accomplished.

Actions speak louder than words: You can judge someone’s real character by their actions, not just their words. People can talk a lot, but they might not actually do what they say.

Related Information

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Essay on important and famous Proverb FAQs

What is a proverb in an essay.

A proverb in an essay is a short, wise saying that imparts valuable advice or wisdom in a concise and memorable way.

How do you write a proverb in an essay?

To include a proverb in an essay, you can introduce it with a relevant context and use quotation marks, followed by an explanation of its relevance to your essay's topic.

What's a famous proverb?

A famous proverb is 'Actions speak louder than words,' which means that what people do is more important than what they say.

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Best English Proverbs for your IELTS exam

Proverbs (also known as sayings or aphorisms) are a type of idiom that carries moral lessons or some form of life advice within them. This list of English proverbs is compiled especially for IELTS exam, it includes definitions and examples. Hence, if you want to get 8 or higher for Vocabulary in your Speaking, try to implement one of these proverbs in your answer.

English proverbs for IELTS — List of sayings and aphorisms

IELTS proverbs — Explanations & Examples

IELTS videos (tips, strategies, and mock tests):

Ielts – 3 reading strategies — ielts preparation videos, canada pr express entry tips from an iccrc member — after-ielts videos, 1 simple trick to become fluent in english — ielts preparation videos, ielts listening tips — ielts preparation videos, improve your ielts speaking in just 60 minutes — ielts preparation videos, ielts newsletter.

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The Australian Professor Who Turned Breaking on Its Head

Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, displayed some … unique moves as she competed in a field with breakers half her age. The judges and the internet were underwhelmed.

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By Dodai Stewart and Talya Minsberg

Reporting from Paris

Breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport Friday, and among the competitors was Dr. Rachael Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, who stood out in just about every way.

By day, her research interests include “dance, gender politics, and the dynamics between theoretical and practical methodologies.” But on the world’s stage in Paris, wearing green track pants and a green polo shirt instead of the street-style outfits of her much younger fellow breakers, she competed against the 21-year-old Logan Edra of the United States, known as Logistx.

During the round robin, as Raygun and Logistx faced off, Raygun laid on her side, reached for her toes, spun around, and threw in a kangaroo hop — a nod to her homeland. She performed a move that looked something like swimming and another that could best be described as duckwalking. The high-speed back and head spins that other breakers would demonstrate were mostly absent.

The crowd cheered Raygun politely. The judges weren’t as kind. All nine voted for Logistx in both rounds of the competition; Logistx won, 18-0.

Online, Raygun’s performance quickly became a sensation, not necessarily in a flattering way.

“The more I watch the videos of Raygun, the Aussie breaker, the more I get annoyed,” one viewer posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There’s 27.7 million Australians in the world and that’s who they send to the Olympics for this inaugural event??? C’mon now!”

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What happened in the Kolkata rape case that triggered doctors’ protests?

Activists and doctors in India demand better safeguarding of women and medical professionals after a trainee medic was raped and murdered in Kolkata.

Activists and doctors across India continued to protest on Wednesday to demand justice for a female doctor, who was raped and murdered while on duty in a hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata.

Feminist groups rallied on the streets in protests titled “Reclaim the Night” in Kolkata overnight on Wednesday – on the eve of India’s independence day – in solidarity with the victim, demanding the principal of RG Kar Medical College resign. Some feminist protesters also marched well beyond Kolkata, including in the capital Delhi.

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While the protests were largely peaceful, a small mob of men stormed the medical college and vandalised property. This group was dispersed by the police.

This comes after two days of nationwide protests by doctors following the incident at RG Kar Medical College in West Bengal’s capital city. “Sit-in demonstrations and agitation in the hospital campus will continue,” one of the protesting doctors, identified as Dr Mridul, told Al Jazeera.

Services in some medical centres were halted indefinitely, and marches and vigils shed light on issues of sexual violence, as well as doctors’ safety in the world’s most populous nation.

What happened to the doctor in Kolkata?

A 31-year-old trainee doctor’s dead body, bearing multiple injuries, was found on August 9 in a government teaching hospital in Kolkata.

The parents of the victim were initially told “by hospital authorities that their daughter had committed suicide,” lawyer and women’s rights activist Vrinda Grover told Al Jazeera. But an autopsy confirmed that the victim was raped and killed.

Grover has appeared for victims in sexual violence cases in India in the past, including Bilkis Bano , a Muslim woman who was gang-raped during the 2002 Gujarat riots, and Soni Sori, a tribal activist based in Chhattisgarh state.

Thousands of doctors marched in Kolkata on Monday, demanding better security measures and justice for the victim.

On Tuesday, the Kolkata High Court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) called for a nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals starting on Monday. Elective services are medical treatments that can be deferred or are not deemed medically necessary.

On Tuesday, FORDA announced on its X account that it is calling off the strike after Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda accepted protest demands.

One of these demands was solidifying the Central Protection Act, intended to be a central law to protect medical professionals from violence, which was proposed in the parliament’s lower house in 2022, but has not yet been enacted.

FORDA said that the ministry would begin working on the Act within 15 days of the news release, and that a written statement from the ministry was expected to be released soon.

Press release regarding call off of strike. In our fight for the sad incident at R G Kar, the demands raised by us have been met in full by the @OfficeofJPNadda , with concrete steps in place, and not just verbal assurances. Central Healthcare Protection Act ratification… pic.twitter.com/OXdSZgM1Jc — FORDA INDIA (@FordaIndia) August 13, 2024

Why are some Indian doctors continuing to protest?

However, other doctors’ federations and hospitals have said they will not back down on the strike until a concrete solution is found, including a central law to curb attacks on doctors.

Those continuing to strike included the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA), Delhi-based All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Indira Gandhi Hospital, local media reported.

Ragunandan Dixit, the general secretary of the AIIMS Resident Doctors’ Association, said that the indefinite strike will continue until their demands are met, including a written guarantee of the implementation of the Central Protection Act.

Medical professionals in India want a central law that makes violence against doctors a non-bailable, punishable offence, in hopes that it deters such violent crimes against doctors in the future.

Those continuing to protest also call for the dismissal of the principal of the college, who was transferred. “We’re demanding his termination, not just transfer,” Dr Abdul Waqim Khan, a protesting doctor told ANI news agency. “We’re also demanding a death penalty for the criminal,” he added.

“Calling off the strike now would mean that female resident doctors might never receive justice,” Dr Dhruv Chauhan, member of the National Council of the Indian Medical Association’s Junior Doctors’ Network told local news agency Press Trust of India (PTI).

Which states in India saw doctors’ protests?

While the protests started in West Bengal’s Kolkata on Monday, they spread across the country on Tuesday.

The capital New Delhi, union territory Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow and city Prayagraj, Bihar capital Patna and southern state Goa also saw doctors’ protests.

Who is the suspect in the Kolkata rape case?

Local media reported that the police arrested suspect Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer who would visit the hospital often. He has unrestricted access to the ward and the police found compelling evidence against him.

The parents of the victim told the court that they suspect that it was a case of gang rape, local media reported.

Why is sexual violence on the rise in India?

Sexual violence is rampant in India, where 90 rapes were reported on average every day in 2022.

Laws against sexual violence were made stricter following a rape case in 2012, when a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern was brutally gang-raped and murdered on a bus in Delhi. Four men were hanged for the gang rape, which had triggered a nationwide protests.

But despite new laws in place, “the graph of sexual violence in India continues to spiral unabated,” said Grover.

She added that in her experience at most workplaces, scant attention is paid to diligent and rigorous enforcement of the laws.

“It is regrettable that government and institutions respond only after the woman has already suffered sexual assault and often succumbed to death in the incident,” she added, saying preventive measures are not taken.

In many rape cases in India, perpetrators have not been held accountable. In 2002, Bano was raped by 11 men, who were sentenced to life imprisonment. In 2022, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi authorised the release of the men, who were greeted with applause and garlands upon their release.

However, their remission was overruled and the Supreme Court sent the rapists back to jail after public outcry.

Grover believes that the death penalty will not deter rapists until India addresses the deeply entrenched problem of sexual violence. “For any change, India as a society will have to confront and challenge, patriarchy, discrimination and inequality that is embedded in our homes, families, cultural practices, social norms and religious traditions”.

What makes this case particularly prominent is that it happened in Kolkata, Sandip Roy, a freelance contributor to NPR, told Al Jazeera. “Kolkata actually prided itself for a long time on being really low in the case of violence against women and being relatively safe for women.”

A National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report said that Kolkata had the lowest number of rape cases in 2021 among 19 metropolitan cities, with 11 cases in the whole year. In comparison, New Delhi was reported to have recorded 1, 226 cases that year.

Prime Minister Modi’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for dismissing the government in West Bengal, where Kolkata is located, led by Mamata Banerjee of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). Banerjee’s party is part of the opposition alliance.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in parliament, also called for justice for the victim.

“The attempt to save the accused instead of providing justice to the victim raises serious questions on the hospital and the local administration,” he posted on X on Wednesday.

Roy spoke about the politicisation of the case since an opposition party governs West Bengal. “The local government’s opposition will try to make this an issue of women’s safety in the state,” he said.

Have doctors in India protested before?

Roy explained to Al Jazeera that this case is an overlap of two kinds of violence, the violence against a woman, as well as violence against “an overworked medical professional”.

Doctors in India do not have sufficient workplace security, and attacks on doctors have started protests in India before.

In 2019, two junior doctors were physically assaulted in Kolkata’s Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital (NRSMCH) by a mob of people after a 75-year-old patient passed away in the hospital.

Those attacks set off doctors’ protests in Kolkata, and senior doctors in West Bengal offered to resign from their positions to express solidarity with the junior doctors who were attacked.

More than 75 percent of Indian doctors have faced some form of violence, according to a survey by the Indian Medical Association in 2015.

What happens next?

The case will now be handled by the CBI, which sent a team to the hospital premises to inspect the crime scene on Wednesday morning, local media reported.

According to Indian law, the investigation into a case of rape or gang rape is to be completed within two months from the date of lodging of the First Information Report (police complaint), according to Grover, the lawyer.

The highest court in West Bengal, which transferred the case from the local police to the CBI on Tuesday, has directed the central investigating agency to file periodic status reports regarding the progress of the investigation.

The FIR was filed on August 9, which means the investigation is expected to be completed by October 9.

Bengal women will create history with a night long protest in various major locations in the state for at 11.55pm on 14th of August’24,the night that’ll mark our 78th year as an independent country. The campaign, 'Women, Reclaim the Night: The Night is Ours', is aimed at seeking… pic.twitter.com/Si9fd6YGNb — purpleready (@epicnephrin_e) August 13, 2024

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(New Deadline) CFP: Continental Philosophy and Global South Perspectives

Plí: The Warwick Journal of Philosophy , is pleased to announce a Call for Papers for its upcoming special issue on “Continental Philosophy and Global South Perspectives”. As an esteemed platform for rigorous philosophical discourse, Plí encourages contributions that explore the intersections between Continental philosophy and diverse perspectives emanating from the Global South.

Scope and Topics of Interest:

Contributions may include discussions on analyses of Global South arts through the lens of Continental authors, use of Continental authors on non-hegemonic topics, the influence of European scholars on Departments of Philosophy in the Global South, reflections on Global South backgrounds and dialogues with canonical authors, examinations of the reception of Continental philosophy in diverse regions, etc. This issue aims to create a dynamic discourse on the symbiotic relationship between Continental philosophy and the rich tapestry of Global South thought.

Interdisciplinarity:

This special issue aims to uphold Plí’s tradition of excellence in Continental philosophy while fostering interdisciplinary dialogues. We welcome submissions that engage with related disciplines such as Anthropology, Sociology, Comparative Literature, Feminist and Queer studies, among others. The journal seeks to stimulate non-traditional approaches, including but not limited to Diaspora Studies, Amerindian Philosophy, South-South institutional relations, reception of Continental thinkers, and the use of Continental authors to address Global South and non-traditional issues.

Diverse Formats:

Plí invites submissions in various formats, recognizing the richness of perspectives. We welcome traditional papers, small essays, translations of Global South papers into English, interviews, and book reviews – especially those focusing on publications relevant to the Global South. This inclusive approach is designed to accommodate a broad range of voices and scholarly expressions.

Varia  Section:

In addition to the themed section, Plí invites submissions for the  Varia  section, encompassing diverse philosophical topics. We encourage authors to submit their work on any subject within the broad spectrum of philosophy.

Plí does not charge a submission or publication fee for submitted manuscripts (articles, reviews, interviews, etc.). Our journal is dedicated to nurturing a space for critical engagement with philosophical ideas. We look forward to receiving contributions that expand the horizons of Continental philosophy through meaningful dialogue with Global South perspectives.

For inquiries, please get in touch by sending an email to  [email protected] . Contributions should be sent as a Word (.doc or .docx) file.

Before submitting to  Plí , please make sure to read the Notes to Contributors ( https://journals.warwick.ac.uk/index.php/pli/about/submissions ).

We eagerly anticipate your thoughtful contributions.

Gustavo Ruiz da Silva (University of Warwick, UK)  Kenneth Novis (University of Oxford, UK) Adriana Mandacaru Guerra (Johns Hopkins University, USA) Sebastian Leyton Blanco (University of Warwick, UK) Alexandre de Lima Castro Tranjan (University of São Paulo, Brazil) Cristiane Guedes (University of Bielefeld, Germany) Eberval Gadelha Figueiredo Jr. (University of São Paulo, Brazil)

Plí: The Warwick Journal of Philosophy https://journals.warwick.ac.uk/index.php/pli/cfp