English Proverbs & Sayings

(A) cat has nine lives.	1) Cats can survive many accidents because     they land on their feet without injury. 2) Nine lives = 3 years to play, 3 years to     stray, 3 years to stay.
(A) chain is no stronger than its  weakest link.	The strength of a group depends on each individual member.
(A) change is as good as a rest.	A change in routine is often as refreshing as a break or a holiday.
Charity begins at home.	A person's first duty is to help and care for his own family.
Children and fools tell the truth.	Neither children nor fools know that it is sometimes advantageous to lie.
Cleanliness is next to godliness.	A clean body is just as important as a pure soul.
Clear moon, frost soon.	If the atmosphere is clear, frost may form.
(A) closed mouth catches no flies.	If you learn when to keep silent you will avoid trouble.
Clothes don't make the man.	Appearances can be deceiving.
Constant occupation prevents temptation.	When you are busy working, you avoid temptation.

Dead men tell no lies.	A dead person cannot cause difficulties by revealing something that it would be preferable to conceal.
Death is the great leveller.	All people are equal when they die.
Diamonds cut diamonds.	Refers to two people equally matched in wit or cunning.
Diligence is the mother of good fortune.	Hard work brings rewards.
Discretion is the better part of valour.	It is useless to take unnecessary risks.
Diseases of the soul are more dangerous than those of the body.	Thought to refer to mental and emotional disorder or spiritual torment as opposed to bodily pain.
Distance makes the heart grow fonder.	When you are separated from the person you love, your feelings are even stronger.
Dogs of the same street bark alike.	People of the same background have the same behaviour.
Don't bark if you can't bite.	Don't complain if you can't enforce your point of view.
Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.	You must not be too confident that something will be successful.
Don't dig your grave with our own knife and fork.	Don't do something yourself that causes your own downfall.
Don't judge a book by its cover.	Don't judge by appearances.
(A) dry March, a wet April and a cool May may fill barn and cellar and bring much hay.	Harvest predictions according to the weather.

Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.	It is much better for you to go to bed early and to get up early in the morning;
Easier said than done.	What is suggested sounds easy, but it is more difficult to actually do it.
Elbow grease is the best polish.	Hard work gives the best results.
Empty vessels make the most noise.	The least intelligent people are often the most talkative or noisy.
(An) empty purse frightens away friends.	When one's financial situation deteriorates, friends tend to disappear.
(An) Englishman's  home is his castle.	An Englishman's home is a place where he feels safe, enjoys privacy and can do as he wishes.
Every ass likes to hear himself bray.	People like to listen to themselves talking.
Every cloud has a silver lining.	There is a positive or hopeful side to every situation.
Every man for himself.	You must think of your own interests before the interests of others.
Every man has his price.	Everyone's loyalty can be bought for a price.
Every man is the architect of his own fortune.	Life is what you make it.
Every path has its puddle.	Progress is rarely without difficulty.
Every rose has its thorn.	Every good thing has an unpleasant side.
Every why has a wherefore.	There is an explanation for everything.
Everything in the garden is rosy.	Everything is satisfactory.
Experience is the father of wisdom.	Experience and knowledge result in better judgement.

Facts speak louder than words	People show what they are really like by what they do, rather than by what they say.
Failure teaches success.	People can learn from their failures and be successful later on.
Fair exchange is no robbery	Swapping two items of equal value is an honest deal.
False friends are worse than open enemies.	It's better to know who your real enemies are rather than trust someone who pretends to be a friend but is capable of stabbing you in the back.
Familiarity breeds contempt	Knowing someone very well can lead to a lack of respect for them.
(A) fault confessed is half redressed.	Confession is the beginning of forgiveness.
Fine words butter no parsnips	No amount of talking can replace action.
First come, first served.	The first person in the line will be attended to first.
(A) flower blooms more than once.	If you miss an occasion, you can avail yourself of it another time.
(A) fly will not get into a closed mouth.	If you learn when to keep silent you will avoid trouble.
(A) fool and his money are (soon) easily parted.	A foolish person usually spends money carelessly.
(A) fool at forty is a fool forever.	If a person hasn't matured by the age of 40, they never will.
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.	One should learn from one's mistakes.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.	Inexperienced people become involved in situations that more intelligent people would avoid.
(A) friend in need is a friend indeed.	Someone who helps you when you are in trouble is a real friend.
(A) friend to all is a friend to none.	Someone who is a friend to everyone makes none of them feel special.
(A) friend's eye is a good mirror.	A real friend will tell you the truth.
Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.	Effort is necessary to keep a friendship alive.
Friendship is love with understanding.	A friend is more tolerant than a lover/partner/spouse?

Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade.	Nothing is achieved without effort.
Give someone an inch and they will take a mile (or yard)	Give someone a little and they will want more - some people are never satisfied.
Give someone enough rope and they will hang themselves.	Give someone enough time and freedom and they will get into trouble.
God helps those who help themselves.	Success comes to those who make a real effort to achieve it.
Good accounting makes good friends.	You will keep your friends if you avoid disputes over money.
Good and quickly seldom meet.	A well-done job takes time.
(A) good beginning makes a good end.	If a task is carefully planned, there's a better chance that it will be well done.
(A) good conscience is a soft pillow.	You sleep well when you have nothing to feel guilty about.
(A) good mind possesses a kingdom.	Intellectual assets are more valuable than material ones.
Good management is better than good income.	Income can be lost if it is used carelessly.
Grasp all, lose all.	Trying to obtain everything will often result in gaining nothing.
Great minds think alike.	Intelligent people very often have the same idea at the same time.
Great oaks grow from small acorns.	Large successful operations can begin in a small way.
Grief divided is made lighter.	If you share your grief, it will be easier to bear.
(A) guilty conscience needs no accuser.	If you know that you have done something wrong, you don't need anyone to tell you that you're guilty.

Half a loaf is better than none	You should be grateful for something, even if it is not as much as you wanted.
Handsome is what handsome does.	Behaviour is more important than appearance.
Hard words breaks no bones.	Criticism or verbal attacks may be unpleasant but will not kill anyone.
Haste makes waste	If something is done too quickly, it may be done carelessly and need to be redone.
Hatred is as blind as love.	A person who feels hatred does not see any qualities in the person he/she hates.
He can who believes he can.	If you believe you can do something, you will be able to do it.
He has enough who is content.	A happy person needs nothing more.
He who hesitates is lost.	If you delay your decision too long, you may miss a good opportunity.
He who is everywhere is nowhere.	It's not good to do too many things at the same time.
He who know nothing doubts nothing.	Knowledge leads us to make choices.
He who pays the piper calls the tune.	The person who provides the money for something should control how it is spent.
He who plays with fire gets burnt.	If you behave in a risky way, you are likely to have problems.
He who wills the end wills the means.	If you are determined to do something you will find a way.
He laughs best who laughs last.	Don't express your joy, or triumph, too soon.
Health is better than wealth.	It's better to be in good health than to be rich.
(The best) helping hand is at the end of your sleeve.	The best way to get something done is to do it yourself.
Home is where the heart is.	You call home the place where the people you love are.
Honesty is the best policy.	It's always better to be honest.
Honey catches more flies than vinegar.	You can obtain more cooperation from others by being nice.
However long the night, the dawn will break.	Bad things don't last forever.
Hunger is a good sauce.	All food tastes good when you are hungry.

(An) idle brain is the devil's workshop.	When you are busy working you avoid temptation.
In times of prosperity friends are plentiful.	You have many friends when you have no difficulties.
If a camel gets his nose in a tent, his body will follow.	If you let something intrusive enter your life, your life will become difficult.
If in February there be no rain, 'tis neither good for hay nor grain.	Plants and grains will grow badly if there is no rain in early spring.
If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will avoid 100 days of sorrow.	Avoid regrets by taking the time to think before speaking or acting angrily.
If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.	If you try to do two things at the same time, you will not succeed in doing either of them.
If two ride a horse, one must ride behind.	When two people do something together, one will be the leader and the other will be the subordinate.
If you want a friend, be a friend.	Friendship must be reciprocal.
If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.	Wishing alone is of no use; you must act as well.
Ignorance is bliss.	Possible interpretation: what you do not know causes no worry or sadness.
In for a penny, in for a pound.	If you start something, it is better to spend the time or money necessary to complete it.
In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.	A man of even limited ability has an advantage over a person who is less able.
It never rains but it pours.	Misfortune usually comes in large numbers.
It is always darkest before the dawn.	The most difficult time is just before the problem is solved.
It's no use crying over spilt milk.	Don't express regret for something that has happened and cannot be remedied.
It takes all sorts to make a world.	People vary in character and abilities, and this is a good thing.

Justice delayed is justice denied.	If the law is applied too late, there is no justice.
Kill one to warn a hundred.	Warn many people by punishing a few.
Kill not the goose that lays the golden egg.	Do not destroy the source of your good fortune.
Kindle not a fire you cannot put out.	Do not start something that you cannot control; you may fail or cause damage.
Kindness begets kindness.	If you are kind to someone, they will return your kindness.
Knowledge in youth is wisdom in age.	What you learn when you are young will be invaluable when your grow old.
Knowledge is power.	It is easier to make progress or be successful if you are educated or possess a lot of information.

Laughter is the best medicine.	Laughter makes people feel good.
Learn to walk before you run.	Don't rush into doing something before you know how to do it.
Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.	Education is something that you keep forever.
Least said, soonest mended.	The less you talk about an incident, the more easily it will be forgotten.
(A) leopard cannot change its spots.	It is impossible for a bad or unpleasant person to become good or pleasant.
Let bygones be bygones.	Let's forgive and forget past quarrels.
Let the chips fall where they may.	We should not try to control our destiny.
Liars need good memories.	People who do not tell the truth must be careful to remember what they say.
Lightning never strikes in the same place twice.	An unusual event is not likely to occur again in exactly the same circumstances.
Like father, like son.	A son's character can be expected to resemble his father's.
Little strokes fell good oaks.	If you divide a task into small parts, it become easier to do.
(A) loaded wagon makes no noise.	Really wealthy people do not talk about money.
Look before you leap.	Consider possible consequences before taking action.
Loose lips sink ships.	Disclosing important information (to the enemy or a competitor) could result in large losses.
Losers weepers, finders keepers.	If you lose something you lament, if you find something you keep it.
Love is blind.	A person in love does not see the faults of the person he/she loves.
(A) loveless life is a living death.	Without affection, life is difficult.

Make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.	Manage to product something good using poor material.
Man is the head of the family and woman is the neck that turns the head.	No comment!
Man proposes, God disposes.	Our destiny depends on God's will.
(A) man can die but once.	If death comes now, you will not have to experience it later.
(A) man is as old as he feels himself to be.	Your age doesn't matter as long as you are fit and healthy.
(A) man is known by the company he keeps.	A person's character is judged by the type of people with whom they spend their time.
Manners make the man.	Possibly: a person's manners show their origins.
Many a true word is spoken in jest.	Even if something is said as a joke it can still be true.
Many hands make light work.	Sharing work makes the task easier.
March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.	The weather at the beginning of March is stormy and at the end is mild.
March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers.	The storms and rain in March and April produce flowers in the month of May.
Mark, learn and inwardly digest.	Note and reflect upon something in order to thoroughly assimilate it.
Marry in haste, repent as leisure.	If you get married too quickly, you may spend your whole life regretting it.
Memory is the treasure of the mind.	A good memory is very precious.
Men make houses, women make homes.	Women give a house its comfort and character.
Might as well be hanged for a sheep as (for) a lamb.	If the penalty is going to be same, you might as well commit the greater offence.
Misery loves company	When people are sad they often like others to feel sad too.
Money begets money.	If you have money you can make more money.
Money doesn't grow on trees.	You should not waste money because it is not plentiful or obtained easily.
A monkey in silk is a monkey no less.	No matter how someone dresses, it's the same person underneath.

Necessity is the mother of invention.	The need for something forces people to find a way of obtaining it.
Need teaches a plan.	Necessity will make you find a solution.
Needs must when the devil drives.	Sometimes you are compelled to do something that you would rather not do.
Never put off till tomorrow what can be done today.	Don't postpone until later something you can do now.
Never say die.	Never give up.
Never trouble troubles until troubles trouble you.	Don't look for problems in advance; deal with them when they arise.
A new broom sweeps clean.	A newly-appointed person makes changes energetically.
Nobody is perfect.	It is understandable not to be perfect or to make occasional mistakes.
No joy without annoy	There is no happiness without clouds.
No losers, no winners.	If there were no losers, there could be no winners.
No man can serve two masters.	It's impossible to follow instructions from two different sources.
No man is a hero to his valet.	Few people are admired by those who know them intimately and are aware of their failings.
No man is an island.	We are all interdependent and need other people.
No news is good news.	If the news was bad, we would hear of it. Since we have heard nothing, we can assume that all is well.
No pain, no gain.	Nothing is achieved without effort.
No rain, no grain.	Without rain the harvest will be poor.
No smoke without fire.	There could be some truth in the rumour ...
No wind, no waves.	Similar to 'no smoke without fire'.
Nothing ventured nothing gained.	You cannot expect to achieve anything if you take no risks.

Once bitten, twice shy.	After an unpleasant experience, people are careful to avoid something similar.
One father is (worth) more than a hundred schoolmasters.	A teacher cannot replace a father. A child is raised by a father and taught by a teacher.
One good turn deserves another.	You should be helpful to someone who helps you.
One of these days is none of these days.	Until a date is set, 'one of these days' remains a vague promise.
One today is worth two tomorrows.	What you have today is better than what is promised or hoped for.
One man's meat is another man's poison.	People don't always like the same things.
One man's trash is another man's treasure.	What is useless to one person could be valuable to another.
One swallow doesn't make a summer.	A single satisfactory event does not mean that all the others will be as good.
An onion a day keeps everyone away.	A humoristic version of "an apple a day..."
Only real friends will tell you when  your face is dirty.	Only a real friend will tell you the truth.
Opportunity seldom knocks twice.	Don't miss opportunities that come along.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.	It is easier to prevent something from happening than to repair the damage or cure the disease later.
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings.	Children often speak wisely.
Out of sight, out of mind.	We tend to forget people or things that we do not see.

Penny wise, pound foolish.	Refers to a person who is careful about spending small amounts of money, but not careful about spending large amounts.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.	One should not criticize others for faults similar to one's own and risk retaliation.
Pity is akin to love.	If you begin to feel sorry for someone, you may start to love them.
Poverty waits at the gates of idleness.	If you do not work, you will not earn any money.
Practice makes perfect.	Doing something repeatedly is the only way to become good at it.
Practice what you preach.	Do yourself what you advise others to do.
Prevention is better than cure.	It is easier to prevent something from happening than to repair the damage or cure the disease later.
Pride comes before a fall.	Don't be too self-confident or proud; something may happen to make you look foolish.
A problem shared is a problem halved.	It is easier to deal with a problem when you discuss it with someone.
Procrastination is the thief of time.	Delaying an ction for too long is a waste of time.
Punctuality is the soul of business.	You should always be on time for your business appointments.
Put all your eggs in one basket.	Risk everything by relying on one plan (e.g. by putting all one's money into one business).

Revenge is sweet.	There is satisfaction in returning an injury.
(A) rising tide lifts all boats.	Refers to something that will be helpful to all.
(A) rolling stone gathers no moss	If a person keeps moving from place to place, they gain neither friends nor possessions. Another interpretation is that, by moving often, one avoids being tied down!
Rome was not built in a day.	It takes time to a job properly.  You should not expect to do it quickly.
(A) rotten apple spoils the barrel.	A dishonest or immoral person can have a bad influence on a group.

Save me from my friends.	Friends can be more dangerous than enemies.
Saying is one thing, doing is another.	People don't always do what they announce.
Short reckonings make long friends.	Debts paid quickly encourage friendship.
Sickness in the body brings sadness to the mind.	Physical suffering can lead to sadness or depression.
Silence gives consent.	If you don't object something, it is assumed that you agree with it.
A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.	Overcoming adversity leads to competence.
Snug as a bug in a rug.	Feeling very comfortable.
Spare the rod and spoil the child.	If you don't punish a child when he does wrong, you will spoil his character.
Speech is silver, silence is golden.	Speaking is good, but discretion can be better.
Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me.	Physical attacks may harm me, but cruel words will  not.
Still waters run deep.	A quiet person with a calm outward appearance can have much knowledge or wisdom.
(A) stitch in time saves nine.	It's better to deal with a problem at an early stage so as to prevent it from getting worse.
Stolen fruit is sweet / the sweetest Stolen pleasures are the sweetest.	What is forbidden is the most tempting.
(A) stumble may prevent a fall.	Correcting a small mistake may help you to avoid making a bigger one.
(A) swallow does not make the summer.	One good event does not mean that everything is alright.

Tall oaks grow from little acorns.	Great things may come from small beginnings.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.	Children resemble their parents.
The best advice is found on the pillow.	A good night's sleep may help us find an answer to our problem.
The best things in life are free.	You don't have to pay for what is important: happiness, friendship, good health.
The darkest hour is just before dawn.	The most difficult moment is just before a problem is solved.
The devil looks after his own.	Success comes to those who deserve it least.
The devil makes work for idle hands.	People who have no work, or are idle, often get into trouble.
The die is cast.	A decision has been made and it is impossible to change it.
The early bird catches the worm.	If you want to do something successfully, you should do it as soon as you can.
The end justifies the means.	Wrong or unfair methods may be used if the result of the action is good.
The first step is the hardest.	The most difficult part of an action is the beginning.
The more haste, the less speed.	A person makes more progress if they take time to do things carefully.
The more you have, the more you want.	People have a constant desire to possess more.
The mouse that has but one hole is quickly taken.	If you depend on just one thing, and it fails, you have no alternatives.
The pen is mightier than the sword.	Words and communication have a greater effect than war and fighting.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.	The real value of something can be judged only after it has been tried or tested.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.	It is not enough to intend to do something, you must actually do it.
The tongue wounds more than a lance.	Insults can be more hurtful than physical injuries.
The truth is in the wine.	People speak more freely under the influence of alcohol.
The way to a man's heart is though his stomach.	Feed a man well and he will love you.
The wish is father to the thought.	You think that something is true because you want it to be so.
There is a black sheep in every flock.	There is always someone who doesn't behave or perform like the others.
There's many a slip between the cup and the lip.	We do not own something until we actually get it.
There is a trick in every trade.	There is an established way of doing things.
There is no fool like an old fool.	An older person is expected to behave more sensibly.
There is safety in numbers.	Being in a crowd makes you feel more confident.
Time and tide wait for no man.	Delaying a decision will not prevent events from taking place.
Time has wings.	Time goes by quickly.
Time heals all wounds.	The passage of time lessens the impact of bad events.
Time is money.	Time is valuable and should not be wasted.
To err is human, to forgive divine.	It is human nature to make mistakes, therefore one should forgive them.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.	If too many people are involved in something, it will not be done properly.
Too much bed makes a dull head.	When you sleep too much, you are not able to think clearly.
A tree is known by its fruit.	A person is judged by their actions.
Trust not a horse's heel nor a dog's tooth.	A horse kicks from behind, a dog attacks with its teeth.
Truth has no answer.	You cannot argue against facts or refute what is true.
Truth is stranger than fiction.	Events in real life are often stranger than in fiction.
Two wrongs don't make a right.	It is wrong to harm someone because they have harmed you.

Union is strength	A group has more force than an individual.
Unwillingness easily finds an excuse.	A person who doesn't want to do something always finds a reason to avoid it.
Variety is the spice of life.	Doing a lot of different things makes life more interesting.
Virtue is its own reward.	You should not expect praise for acting in a correct or moral way.

Walls have ears.	Be careful.  People could be listening.
Waste not, want not.	If you never waste anything, you will have is when you need it.
A watched pot never boils.	If you wait anxiously for something to happen, it seems to take a long time.
What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.	If a person doesn't know about something, it cannot hurt them.
What a man says drunk, he thinks sober.	People speak more freely under the influence of alcohol.
What soberness conceals, drunkenness reveals.	People are less discreet under the influence of alcohol.
When the cat's away, the mice play.	People sometimes misbehave when the person in authority, is absent.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.	You should adopt the customs of the people or country you are visiting and behave in the same way.
When poverty comes in the door, love goes out the window.	When a couple loses everything, their relationship becomes difficult.
Where there's life there's hope.	As long as a person is breathing, there is hope for recovery.
Where there's a will there's a way.	If you are determined to do something, you will find a way to do it.
Who makes himself a sheep will be eaten by the wolves.	Possible interpretation: an easily influenced person can be mislead.
Wisdom is better than strength.	It is preferable to use one's intelligence than one's physical strength.
Wonders will never cease!	Expresses surprise at an unexpected pleasure or event.
Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.	Worrying over small details can make them seem worse.

You are what you eat.	What you eat has an effect on your well-being.
You are never too old to learn.	You can always learn something new, no matter how old you are.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.	You can offer somebody an opportunity to do something but you can't force them to do it.
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.	A person who is used to doing things a certain way cannot change.
You never know what you can do until you  try.	Try first before deciding not to do something.
You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.	You help me and I'll help you.
(A) young idler, an old beggar.	If you don't work, you won't have any money when you're old.