English Proverbs & Sayings

 

Bad news travels fast.	People tend to circulate bad news very quickly (accidents, illness, etc.).
(A) bad tree does not yield good apples.	A bad parent does not raise good children.
(A) bad workman blames his tools.	Blaming tools for bad workmanship is an excuse for lack of skill.
Be just before you are generous.	Make sure all your debts are paid before you start offering help to others.
Beauty is only skin deep.	A person's character is more important than their appearance.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.	Different people have different tastes.
Beauty is the wisdom of women. Wisdom is the beauty of men.	No comment!
Be swift to hear, slow to speak.	Listen carefully before speaking.
(The) best helping hand is at the end of your sleeve.	The best way to get something done is to do it yourself.
Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.	It is preferable to have something sure now than the possibility of something better later.
Better be alone than in bad company.	Be careful in the choice of the people you associate with.
Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.	It's better to be the leader of a small group than a subordinate in a bigger one.
Better flatter a fool than fight him.	It's better to avoid disputes with stupid people.
Better to drink the milk than to eat the cow.	Be careful not to destroy the source of your income or welfare.
Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.	It's better to deal with someone difficult but familiar than change and risk dealing with somebody worse.
Better late than never.	It's better to do something, even if it's late, than not do it at all.
Better lose the saddle than the horse.	It's better to stop and accept a small loss than continue and risk losing everything.
Better safe than sorry.	It's better to be too careful than to be careless and regret it later.
Better be untaught than ill-taught.	It's better not to be taught at all than to be taught badly.
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.	Don't trust your enemies.
(A) bird in hand is worth two in a bush.	It's better to keep what you have than to risk losing it by searching for something else.
Birds of a feather flock together.	People of the same sort are usually found together.
Blood is thicker than water.	Family relationships are stronger than relationships with other people.
Blood will out.	A person's background or education will eventually show.
(A) broken friendship may be soldered but it will never be sound.	Friendships can be rebuilt after a dispute but will never be as strong as before.
(A) burden of one's own choice  is not felt.	Something difficult seems easier when it is done voluntarily.
(A) burnt child dreads the fire.	A bad experience will make people stay away from certain things.