Proverbs

English Proverbs

Proverbs and what it means............

PROSPERITY MAKES FRIENDS, ADVERSITY TRIES THEM
"In times of trouble, a rich man finds out who his real friends are."

YOU CAN'T MAKE A SILK PURSE OUT OF A SOW'S EAR
"There no changing a person's real character; education and wealth won't turn a ruffian into a gentleman."

TIME IS THE GREAT HEALER
"As wounds heal, grief and disappointment too will lessen with times."

UNEASY LIES THE HEAD THAT WEARS A CROWN
"Greatness brings with it more worries and fears."

THERE'S NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FOOL
"Old people make bigger fools than young ones because they should be wiser."

THE COWL DOES NOT MAKE THE MONK
"Don't be fooled by appearance as a rascal can dress like royalty."

TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN
"Don't delay taking action or opportunity will pass you by."

YOU MAY LEAD A HORSE TO THE WATER BUT YOU CANNOT MAKE HIM DRINK
"Much as you may want to help someone, he must be willing to be helped first."

THERE'S NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE
"There is some truth, however little, in all rumours."

TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT
"You are not less guilty just because someone else also commits the same fault."

YOU CANNOT TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
"Older people who are set in their ways don't take well to change and innovation."

HUNGER IS THE BEST SAUCE
"When you're hungry, even the plainest food tastes good."

IDLE FOLK HAVE THE LEAST LEISURE
"Lazy people often give the impression that they're very busy."

GOLD MAY BE BOUGHT TOO DEAR
"Something worth having may require too great a sacrifice."

THE THIN EDGE OF THE WEDGE IS DANGEROUS
"A small problem can lead to something bigger."

ONE NAIL DRIVES OUT ANOTHER
"To discard the old for the new."

YOUTH WILL BE SERVED
"Let the young enjoy themselves while they can."

ENOUGH IS AS GOOD AS A FEAST
"Be moderate in all things."

MANY KISS THE HAND THEY WISH TO CUT OFF
"People are often polite to those they wish to harm, so beware."

OTHER TIMES, OTHER MANNERS
"Each generation has its own way of life and standard of behaviour."

YOU CANNOT PUT OLD HEADS ON YOUNG SHOULDERS
"Don't expect the young to be as wise and prudent as their elders."

WHAT IS WORTH DOING IS WORTH DOING WELL
"Whatever deserves to be done, do it to the best of your ability."

WHAT'S DONE CANNOT BE UNDONE
"It's too late to regret an act that has been committed."

LUCKY AT CARDS, UNLUCKY IN LOVE
"No one can have everything."

THE TAILOR MAKES THE MAN
"Good clothes can make a man more impressive than he really is."

EXPERIENCE IS THE TEACHER OF FOOLS
"Foolish folk learn the hard way."

FLING DIRT ENOUGH AND SOME WILL STICK
"Tell enough lies about someone and people will believe you."

GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE
"Even our enemies have their good points."

EMPTY VESSELS MAKE THE MOST NOISE
"Empty-headed people are always the most talkative and noisy."

THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW      STONES.
"If your own conduct is open to criticism, don't criticise how others      behaves."

IN THE KINGDOM OF THE BLIND THE ONE-EYED MAN IS KING
"If you show greater ability than those around you, you will have the advantage even though your talents maynot be outstanding."

DON'T CUT OFF YOUR NOSE TO SPITE YOUR FACE
"Don't do anything in a fit of temper that will injure only yourself."

VIRTUE IS ITS OWN REWARD
"Doing what you know to be right is reward enough."

HE THAT WOULD EAT THE KERNEL MUST CRACK THE NUT
"Don't expect to get anything iwthout working for it."

AS WELL BE HANGED FOR A SHEEP AS A LAMB
"If you're going to be punished, it might as well be for a more serious
crime."

ALL'S FISH THAT COMES TO THE NET
"Makes use of everything that comes your way."

MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES
"We can make plans, but God decides if they will come to pass."

THE TONGUE EVER TURNS TO THE ACHING TOOTH
"We keep dwelling on our worries."

THE SUN IS NEVER THE WORSE FOR SHINING ON A DUNGHILL
"Good people are not corrupted by their surroundings."

THE TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT
"What you say or do reflects on your upbringing."

ALL LAY LOADS ON A WILLING HORSE
"People tend to take advantage of a good-natured and helpful        person."

THE BAIT HIDES THE HOOK
"There's usually a catch behind an attractive offer."

IF YOU CANNOT BITE, NEVER SHOW YOUR TEETH
"If you're in no position to act, don't threaten action."

THE BEST FISH SWIM NEAR THE BOTTOM
"If you can get something easily, it's probably not worth having."

A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED
"The foolish man who spends his money thoughtlessly will soon be penniless."

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD
"The written word is more to be feared than physical force."

THERE'S MANY A GOOD COCK COME OUT OF A TATTERED BAG.
"Bad people may have good children."

OPEN CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL
"Confess a guilty secret and you'll get peace of mind."

SILENCE GIVES CONSENT
"If you don't object to something, it's assumed that you agree with it."

A WORD IS ENOUGH TO THE WISE
"An intelligent person can readily take a hint."

THE WISH IS FATHER TO THE THOUGHT
"We soon believe what we want to believe."

WELL BEGUN IS HALF DONE
"If you start a task well, you can get it done faster and more easily."

HE GIVES TWICE WHO GIVES QUICKLY
"The person who gives immediately is twice as helpful as the one who gives late."

WHERE THERE'S MUCK THERE'S BRASS
"You can earn good money if you don't mind dirtying your hands."

NECESSITY KNOWS NO LAW
"When in dire need, you resort to desperate measures."

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