Redruth Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Pick Your Favorite Proverbs (or post some of your own) A bad cause requires many words. German Proverb A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. Arab Proverb A bird in the hand is worth two in a bush. English Proverb A broken hand works, but not a broken heart. Persian Proverb A cat has nine lives. Proverb of Unknown Origin A clear conscience is a soft pillow. German Proverb A close friend can become a close enemy. Ethiopian Proverb A closed mouth catches no flies. Italian Proverb A country can be judged by the quality of its proverbs. German Proverb A courtyard common to all will be swept by none. Chinese Proverb A dimple on the chin, the devil within. Gaelic Proverb A dog is wiser than a woman; it does not bark at its master. Russian Proverb A drink precedes a story. Irish Proverb A drowning man is not troubled by rain. Persian Proverb A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees. William Blake "Proverbs of Hell" (1790) A forest is in an acorn. Proverb of Unknown Origin A friend in need is a friend indeed English Proverb A friend's eye is a good mirror. Irish Proverb A good denial, the best point in law. Irish Proverb A good husband is healthy and absent. Japanese Proverb A hard beginning maketh a good ending. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) A healthy man is a successful man. French Proverb A hedge between keeps friendship green. French Proverb A hen is heavy when carried far. Irish Proverb A hound's food is in its legs. Irish Proverb A house without a dog or a cat is the house of a scoundrel. Portuguese Proverb A hungry man is an angry man. English Proverb A lie travels round the world while truth is putting her boots on. French Proverb A little too late, is much too late. German Proverb A loan though old is not gift. Hungarian Proverb A lock is better than suspicion. Irish Proverb A man does not seek his luck, luck seeks its man. Turkish Proverb A man is not honest simply because he never had a chance to steal. Yiddish Proverb A man may well bring a horse to the water, but he cannot make him drink. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) A man should live if only to satisfy his curiosity. Yiddish Proverb A monkey never thinks her baby's ugly. Haitian Proverb A new broom sweeps clean, but the old brush knows all the corners. Irish Proverb A penny for your thoughts. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) A penny saved is a penny gained. Scottish Proverb A poor beauty finds more lovers than husbands. English Proverb A prudent man does not make the goat his gardener. Hungarian Proverb A rumor goes in one ear and out many mouths. Chinese proverb A silent mouth is melodious. Irish Proverb A single Russian hair outweighs half a Pole. Traditional Russian Saying A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. Greek Proverb A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Bible - Proverbs 15:1. A son is a son till he gets him a wife, But a daughter's a daughter the rest of your life. Proverb of Unknown Origin A spoon does not know the taste of soup, nor a learned fool the taste of wisdom. Welsh Proverb A table is not blessed if it has fed no scholars. Yiddish Proverb A teacher is better than two books. German Proverb A thief believes everybody steals. Proverb of Unknown Origin A thorn defends the rose, harming only those who would steal the blossom. Chinese proverb A throne is only a bench covered with velvet. French Proverb A trade not properly learned is an enemy. Irish Proverb A tree falls the way it leans. Bulgarian Proverb A white Christmas fills the churchyard. French Proverb A wise man hears one word and understands two. Yiddish Proverb A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion. Chinese Proverb A woman has the form of an angel, the heart of a serpent, and the mind of an ass. German Proverb A worthy woman is far more precious than jewels, strength and dignity are her clothing. Bible - Proverbs 31 Act in the valley so that you need not fear those who stand on the hill. Danish Proverb Advice should be viewed from behind. Swedish Proverb Advice when most needed is least heeded. English Proverb After shaking hands with a Greek, count your fingers. Albanian Saying Age is honorable and youth is noble. Irish Proverb All is well that ends well. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) All things grow with time, except grief. Yiddish Proverb An angry man is not fit to pray. Yiddish Proverb An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Proverb of Unknown Origin An ass in Germany is a professor in Rome. Traditional German Saying An enemy will agree, but a friend will argue. Russian Proverb An Englishman will burn his bed to catch a flea. Turkish Proverb An ox remains an ox, even if driven to Vienna. Hungarian Proverb And old rat is a brave rat. French Proverb Anger can be an expensive luxury. Italian Proverb Anger is as a stone cast into a wasp's nest. Malabar Proverb Anger without power is folly. German Proverb Appetite comes with eating. French Proverb As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Bible - Proverbs 26:11 As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Bible - Proverbs 23:7 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Bible - Proverbs 25:25. As mad as a March hare. Proverb of Unknown Origin As proud as a peacock. Proverb of Unknown Origin As sluttish and slatternly as an Irishwoman bred in France. Traditional Irish Saying As the best wine makes the sharpest vinegar, the truest lover may turn into the worst enemy. Proverb of Unknown Origin As the big hound is, so will the pup be. Irish Proverb As we live, so we learn. Yiddish Proverb Be neither intimate nor distant with the clergy. Irish Proverb Beggars shouldn't be choosers. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Better give a penny then lend twenty. Italian Proverb Better late than never. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Better no doctor at all than three. Polish Proverb Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know. English Proverb Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Chinese Proverb Better wear out shoes than sheets. Scottish Proverb Between the devil and the deep blue sea. Proverb of Unknown Origin Beware of a silent dog and still water. German Proverb Black as hell, strong as death, sweet as love. (About coffee.) Turkish proverb Blood is thicker than water. English Proverb (17th Century) Both your friend and your enemy think you will never die. Irish Proverb Butter would not melt in her mouth. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Call on God, but row away from the rocks. Indian Proverb Children are poor men's riches. English Proverb Children should be seen and not heard. Proverb of Unknown Origin Children suck the mother when they are young and the father when they are old. English Proverb. Choose neither a woman nor linen by candlelight. Italian Proverb Climb mountains to see lowlands. Chinese Proverb Clogs to clogs in three generations. English Proverb Clouds gather before a storm. Proverb of Unknown Origin Commit a sin twice and it will not seem a crime. Jewish Saying Curiosity killed the cat. Proverb of Unknown Origin Darkness reigns at the foot of the lighthouse. Japanese Proverb Deal with the faults of others as gently as with your own. Chinese Proverb Death always comes too early or too late English Proverb Death closes all doors. English Proverb Death pays all debts. English Proverb Did hogs feed here or did Lithuanians have a feast here? Traditional Polish Saying Do not be born good or handsome, but be born lucky. Russian Proverb Do not blame God for having created the tiger, but thank him for not having given it wings. Indian Proverb Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped. African proverb Do not rejoice at my grief, for when mine is old, yours will be new. Spanish Proverb Do not speak of secrets in a field that is full of little hills. Hebrew Proverb Do not talk Arabic in the house of a Moor. Oriental Proverb Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead. Chinese Proverb Don't imitate the fly before you have wings. French Proverb Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Proverb of Unknown Origin Eat well, drink in moderation, and sleep sound, in these three good health abound. Latin Proverb Epigrams succeed where epics fail. Persian Proverb Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Bible - Proverbs 17:28 Even a small thorn causes festering. Irish Proverb Every ass loves to hear himself bray. Proverb of Unknown Origin Every cloud has a silver lining. English Proverb Every dog hath its day. English Proverb Every garden may have some weeds. English Proverb Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough but not baked in the same oven. Yiddish proverb Everyone loves justice in the affairs of another. Italian Proverb Everyone pushes a falling fence. Chinese Proverb Evil enters like a needle and spreads like an oak tree. Ethiopian Proverb Evil is sooner believed than good. Proverb of Unknown Origin Experience is a comb which nature gives to men when they are bald. Eastern Proverb Fame is a magnifying glass. English Proverb Feather by feather the goose can be plucked. French Proverb Fine feathers make fine birds. English Proverb Flattery makes friends and truth makes enemies. Spanish Proverb Fortune is a woman; if you neglect her today do not expect to regain her tomorrow. French Proverb Fortune is blind, but not invisible. French Proverb Friends are like fiddle strings, they must not be screwed too tight. English Proverb Friends are lost by calling often and calling seldom. French Proverb Friendship is a furrow in the sand. Tongan Proverb Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he'll eat forever. Chinese Proverb Give neither counsel nor salt till you are asked for it. Italian Proverb Give the devil his due. English Proverb Glutton: one who digs his grave with his teeth. French Proverb God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. Jewish Proverb God gives the nuts, but he doesn't crack them. German proverb God heals, and the physician takes the fee. French Proverb God help the rich man, let the poor man beg! Old English Proverb God help the rich, the poor can look after themselves. Old English Proverb Going to law is losing a cow for the sake of a cat. Chinese Proverb Good advice is often annoying, bad advice never. French Proverb Good as drink is, it ends in thirst. Irish Proverb Good luck beats early rising. Irish Proverb Gray hairs are death's blossoms. English Proverb Half a loaf is better than none. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Haste makes waste. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Have a horse of your own and then you may borrow another's. Welsh Proverb He is not wise that is not wise for himself. English Proverb He lied like an eyewitness. Russian Insult He makes his home where the living is best. Latin Proverb He that can't endure the bad will not live to see the good. Jewish Proverb He that is born to be hanged shall never be drowned. French Proverb (14th century) He that is rich will not be called a fool. Spanish Proverb He that lives on hope will die fasting. North American Proverb He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. Bible - Proverbs 28:20. He that marries for money will earn it. American Proverb He that plants thorns must never expect to gather roses. English Proverb He that seeks trouble never misses. English Proverb (17th century) He that spareth his rod hateth his son. Bible - Proverbs 24 He that winna be ruled by the rudder maun be ruled by the rock. Scottish Proverb He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever. Chinese proverb He who cannot agree with his enemies is controlled by them. Chinese proverb He who comes with a story to you brings two away from you Irish Proverb He who could foresee affairs three days in advance would be rich for thousands of years. Chinese Proverb He who does not know one thing knows another. Kenyan Proverb He who gets a name for early rising can stay in bed until midday. Irish Proverb He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything. Arabian Proverb He who has once burnt his mouth always blows his soup. German Proverb He who holds the ladder is as bad as the thief. German Proverb He who knows nothing, doubts nothing. Spanish Proverb He who leaps high must take a long run. Danish Proverb He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount. Chinese Proverb He who serves two masters has to lie to one. Portuguese Proverb He who sups with the devil has need of a long spoon. English Proverb He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom. English Proverb He who would eat in Spain must bring his kitchen along. Traditional German Saying He whose face gives no light, shall never become a star. William Blake "Proverbs of Hell" (1790) Heaven lent you a soul Earth will lend a grave. Chinese Proverb Honesty is the best policy. English Proverb How many will listen to the truth when you tell them? Yiddish Proverb Hygiene is two thirds of health. Lebanese Proverb If a man be great, even his dog will wear a proud look. Japanese Proverb If a man deceives me once, shame on him; if he deceives me twice, shame on me. Italian Proverb If all pulled in one direction, the world would keel over. Yiddish Proverb If God lived on earth, people would break his windows. Jewish Proverb If rich people could hire other people to die for them, the poor could make a wonderful living. Yiddish Proverb If the patient dies, the doctor has killed him, but if he gets well, the saints have saved him. Italian Proverb If two men ride a horse, one must ride behind. Proverb of Unknown Origin If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people. Chinese Proverb If you believe everything you read, better not read. Japanese proverb If you bow at all bow low. Chinese Proverb If you do not sow in the spring you will not reap in the autumn. Irish Proverb If you love him, don't lend him. Polish Proverb If you take big paces you leave big spaces. Burmese Proverb If you want to be criticized, marry. Irish Proverb If you wish to die young, make your physician your heir. Romanian Proverb If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words. Chinese Proverb In a calm sea every man is a pilot. Spanish Proverb In America half an hour is forty minutes. German Proverb In baiting a mousetrap with cheese, always leave room for the mouse. Greek Proverb In love, there is always one who kisses and one who offers the cheek. French Proverb Instinct is stronger than upbringing. Irish Proverb It is a bad hen that does not scratch herself. Irish Proverb It is a bold mouse that nestles in the cat's ear. English Proverb It is a long road that has no turning. Irish Proverb It is an equal failing to trust everybody, and to trust nobody. English Proverb (18th century) It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. Proverb of Unknown Origin It is better to be a male for one day than a female for ten. Kurdish Proverb It is better to be born a beggar than a fool. Spanish Proverb It is better to conceal one's knowledge than to reveal one's ignorance. Spanish Proverb It is better to exist unknown to the law. Irish Proverb It is better to sit down than to stand, it is better to lie down than to sit, but death is the best of all. (About laziness) Indian Proverb It is hard to pay for bread that has been eaten. Danish Proverb It is not a secret if it is known by three people. Irish Proverb It is not enough to run, one must start in time. French Proverb It is not fish until it is on the bank. Irish Proverb It is not the horse that draws the cart, but the oats. Russian proverb It is sweet to drink but bitter to pay for. Irish Proverb It is the good horse that draws its own cart. Irish Proverb It is the quiet pigs that eat the meal. Irish Proverb It takes time to build castles. Rome wan not built in a day. Irish Proverb It's an ill wind that blows no good. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) It's not a matter of upper and lower class but of being up a while and down a while. Irish Proverb Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come. Chinese Proverb Keep a thing for seven years and you'll find a use for it. Irish Proverb Kill not the goose that lays the golden eggs. English Proverb Lack of resource has hanged many a person. Irish Proverb Last ship, best ship. English Proverb Laws control the lesser man. Right conduct controls the greater one. Chinese Proverb Lend your money and lose your friend. English Proverb Let sleeping dogs lie. English Proverb Let your heart guide your head in evil matters. Spanish Proverb Life is a bridge. Cross over it, but build no house on it. Indian Proverb Life without a friend is death without a witness. Spanish Proverb Like a fish out of water. Latin Saying Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Bible - Proverbs 26:7 Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a trout. Irish Proverb Little pitchers have big ears. Proverb of Unknown Origin Live with wolves, and you learn to howl. Spanish Proverb Look before you leap. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Look down if you would know how high you stand. Yiddish Proverb Love enters a man through his eyes, woman through her ears. Polish Proverb Love makes the time pass. Time makes love pass. French Proverb Love me, love my dog. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Love your neighbors, but don't pull down the fence. Chinese proverb Love, pain, and money cannot be kept secret; they soon betray themselves. Spanish Proverb Luck has a slender anchorage. English Proverb Mad as a march hare. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Make hay while the sun shines. English Proverb Mankind fears an evil man but heaven does not. Chinese Proverb Many a friend was lost through a joke, but none was ever gained so. Czech Proverb Many hands make light work. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) May as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb. English Proverb May the curse of Mary Malone and her nine blind illegitimate children chase you so far over the hills of Damnation that the Lord himself can't find you with a telescope. Traditional Irish Curse May the grass grow at your door and the fox build his nest on your hearthstone. May the light fade from your eyes, so you never see what you love. May your own blood rise against you, and the sweetest drink you take be the bitterest cup of sorrow. May you die without benefit of clergy; May there be none to shed a tear at your grave, and may the hearthstone of hell be your best bed forever. Traditional Wexford Curse May you have a bright future - as the chimney sweep said to his son. Irish Proverb May you wander over the face of the earth forever, never sleep twice in the same bed, never drink water twice from the same well, and never cross the same river twice in a year. Traditional Gypsy Curse May your every wish be granted. Ancient Chinese Curse May your left ear wither and fall into your right pocket. Traditional Arab Curse Men count up the faults of those who keep them waiting. French Proverb Mere words do not feed the friars. Irish Proverb More grows in the garden than the gardener knows he has sown. Spanish Proverb More things belong to marriage than four bare legs in a bed. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Nature breaks through the eyes of the cat. Irish Proverb Necessity is the mother of invention. Irish Proverb Necessity knows no law. Irish Proverb Necessity never made a good bargain. North American Proverb Need teaches a plan. Irish Proverb Never cut what can be untied. Portuguese Proverb Never love with all your heart, it only ends in breaking. English Proverb Never marry for money. Ye'll borrow it cheaper. Scottish Proverb Never put off till tomorrow what may be done today. English Proverb Night is the mother of council. Latin Proverb No man limps because another is hurt. Danish Proverb No man ought to look a given horse in the mouth. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) No rose without a thorn, or a love without a rival. Turkish Proverb No time like the present. English Proverb Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck, leads the flock to fly and follow. Chinese Proverb Not wine...men intoxicate themselves; Not vice...men entice themselves. Chinese Proverb Nothing dries sooner than tears. Latin Proverb Nothing is as burdensome as a secret. French Proverb Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) One beggar at the door is enough. French Proverb One cannot shoe a running horse. Dutch Proverb One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters. English Proverb (17th century) One flower will not make a garland. French Proverb One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade. Chinese Proverb One good turn deserves another. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) One joy scatters a hundred griefs. Chinese Proverb One of these day is none of these days. English Proverb One should go invited to a friend in good fortune, and uninvited in misfortune. Swedish Proverb One swallow maketh not a summer. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) One woman never praises another. Estonian Proverb Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches English Proverb Out of the frying pan into the fire. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet. French Proverb Patience is poultice for all wounds. Irish Proverb Patience is the best medicine. Proverb of Unknown Origin People live in each other's shelter. Irish Proverb Pigs might fly, but they are most unlikely birds. Proverb of Unknown Origin Politics is a rotten egg; if broken, it stinks. Russian proverb Poor men seek meat for their stomach, rich men stomach for their meat. English Proverb Power lasts ten years; influence not more than a hundred. Korean Proverb Practice makes perfect. English Proverb Praise the young and they will blossom Irish Proverb Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Bible - Proverbs 16:18 Procrastination is the thief of time. Proverb of Unknown Origin Public before private and country before family. Chinese Proverb Put silk on a goat, and it's still a goat. Irish Proverb Quiet people are well able to look after themselves. Irish Proverb Rags to riches to rags. Lancastrian Proverb Rain beats a leopard's skin, but it does not wash off the spots. Ashanti Proverb Rats desert a sinking ship. French Proverb Riches run after the rich, and poverty runs after the poor. French Proverb Roasted pigeons will not fly into one's mouth. Dutch Proverb Rome was not built in a day. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. English Proverb Seek counsel of him who makes you weep, and not of him who makes you laugh. Arabic Proverb Set a beggar on horseback, and he 'll out ride the Devil. German Proverb Set a thief to catch a thief. English Proverb Silence was never written down. Italian Proverb Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get. Spanish Proverb Sit a beggar at your table and he will soon put his feet on it. Russian Proverb Six hours' sleep for a man, seven for a woman and eight for a fool. English Proverb Small children give you headache; big children heartache. Russian Proverb Some people are masters of money, and some its slaves. Russian Proverb Sometimes I go about pitying myself, and all the time I am being carried on great wings across the sky. Ojibway Saying Sorrow for a husband is like a pain in the elbow, sharp and short. English Proverb Speak not of my debts unless you mean to pay them. English Proverb (17th century) Speak the truth, but leave immediately after. Slovenian Proverb Stars are not seen by sunshine. Spanish Proverb Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. Bible - Proverbs 9:17. Sweet is the wine but sour is the payment. Irish Proverb Take heed of enemies reconciled, and of meat twice boiled. English Proverb. Take thy thoughts to bed with thee, for the morning is wiser than the evening. Russian Proverb Talk of the devil and he is sure to appear. English Proverb Tell me who you live with and I will tell you who you are. Spanish Proverb Tell the truth and shame the devil. Proverb of Unknown Origin The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names. Chinese Proverb The best advice is found on the pillow. Danish Proverb The best thing about a man is his dog. French Proverb The big thieves hang the little ones. Czech proverb The church is near but the road is icy; the bar is far away but I'll walk carefully. Russian proverb The comforter's head never aches. Italian Proverb The darkest hour is that before the dawn. English Proverb The day will come when the cow will have use for her tail. Irish Proverb The devil looks after his own. Proverb of Unknown Origin The devil seduced Eve in Italian. Eve mislead Adam in Bohemian. The Lord scolded them both in German. Then the angel drove them from paradise in Hungarian. Traditional Polish Saying The fat is in the fire. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. Chinese Proverb The girl who can't dance says the band can't play. Yiddish Proverb The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Proverb of Unknown Origin The great thieves lead away the little thieves. French Proverb The green new broom sweepeth clean. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) The hole is more honorable than the patch. Irish Proverb The hours of folly are measured by the clock, but of wisdom no clock can measure. William Blake "Proverbs of Hell" (1790) The innkeeper loves the drunkard, but not for a son-in-law. Yiddish Proverb The jay bird don't rob his own nest. West Indies Proverb The light heart lives long. Irish Proverb The man who does not love a horse cannot love a woman. Spanish Proverb The man who strikes first admits that his ideas have given out. Chinese Proverb The man with the boots does not mind where he places his foot. Irish Proverb The mills of God grind slowly but they grind finely. Irish Proverb The moon is made of a green cheese. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) The more the merrier. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) The morning is wiser than the evening. Russian Proverb The nail that sticks up will be hammered down. Japanese Proverb The night rinses what the day has soaped. Swiss Proverb The only good thing that comes from the east is the sun. Traditional Portuguese Saying The palest ink is better than the best memory. Chinese proverb The pine stays green in winter...Wisdom in hardship. Chinese Proverb The raggy colt often made a powerful horse. Irish Proverb The reverse side also has a reverse side. Japanese proverb The right man comes at the right time. Italian Proverb The road to a friend's house is never long. Danish proverb The Russian knows the way, yet he asks for directions. Traditional German Saying The sea has an enormous thirst and an insatiable appetite. French Proverb The silent dog is the first to bite. German Proverb The smallest thing outlives the human being. Irish Proverb The Spaniard is a bad servant but a worse master. Traditional English Saying The sun will set without thy assistance. Hebrew Proverb The surest way to remain poor is to be an honest man. French Proverb The tallest blade of grass is the first to be cut by the scythe. Russian proverb The tide tarrieth for no man. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) The tongue is more to be feared than the sword. Japanese Proverb The tongue like a sharp knife...Kills without drawing blood. Chinese Proverb The truth is not always what we want to hear. Yiddish Proverb The turtle lays thousands of eggs without anyone knowing, but when the hen lays an egg, the whole country is informed. Malay Proverb The wearer best knows where the shoe pinches. Irish Proverb The well fed does not understand the lean. Irish Proverb The whisper of a pretty girl can be heard further than the roar of a lion. Arabian Proverb The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcher. Chinese Proverb The wise man sits on the hole in his carpet. Persian Proverb The wolf loses his teeth, but not his inclinations. Spanish Proverb The work praises the man. Irish Proverb The world is a rose: smell it and pass it on to your friends. Persian Proverb The world would not make a racehorse of a donkey Irish Proverb There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same. Chinese Proverb There are more old drunkards than old doctors. French Proverb There are only two types of Chinese -- those who give bribes and those who take them. Russian Proverb There are two great pleasures in gambling: that of winning and that of losing. French Proverb. There is but one good mother-in-law and she is dead. English Proverb There is honor even among thieves. English Proverb There is hope from the sea, but none from the grave. Irish Proverb There is no fireside like your own fireside Irish Proverb There is no luck except where there is discipline. Irish Proverb There is no need like the lack of a friend. Irish Proverb There is no strength without unity. Irish Proverb There is plenty of sound in an empty barrel. Russian Proverb There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip. Greek Proverb They who love most are least valued. English Proverb Think in the morning. Act in the noon. Eat in the evening. Sleep in the night. William Blake "Proverbs of Hell" (1790) Think with the wise but walk with the vulgar. German Proverb Thirst is the end of drinking and sorrow is the end of drunkenness. Irish Proverb Though a tree grow ever so high, the falling leaves return to the ground. Malay Proverb Three diseases without shame: Love, itch and thirst. Irish Proverb Three Spaniards, four opinions. Spanish Proverb Time is a great story teller. Irish Proverb Time trieth truth. English Proverb To be rich is not everything, but it certainly helps. Yiddish Proverb To deny all, is to confess all. Spanish Proverb To leave is to die a little. French Proverb To lend is to buy a quarrel. Indian Proverb To talk without thinking is to shoot without aiming. English Proverb (18th century) To teach is to learn. Japanese Proverb To the ass, or the sow, their own offspring appears the fairest in creation. Latin Proverb To whom you tell your secrets, to him you resign your liberty. Spanish Proverb Today is the first day of the rest of your life. North American Saying Tomorrow is a new day. English Proverb Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. Spanish Proverb Tomorrow never comes. Proverb of Unknown Origin Trouble rides a fast horse. Italian Proverb True nobility is in being superior to your previous self. Hindustani Proverb Trust in Allah, but tie your camel. Old Muslim Proverb Truth and oil always come to the surface. Spanish Proverb Truth has a handsome countenance but torn garments. German Proverb Truth is the safest lie. Jewish Proverb Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed. Bible - Proverbs 12:19 Truth will be out. Latin Proverb Two heads are better than one. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) Two shorten the road. Irish Proverb Two thirds of the work is the semblance. Irish Proverb Unless you enter the tiger's den you cannot take the cubs. Japanese Proverb Visit your aunt, but not every day of the year. Spanish Proverb Walk straight, my son - as the old crab said to the young crab. Irish Proverb Want a thing long enough and you don't Chinese Proverb War is death's feast. George Herbert "Outlandish Proverbs" Water for oxen, wine for kings. Spanish Proverb We'll never know the worth of water till the well go dry. Scottish Proverb Went in one ear and out the other. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) What belongs to everybody belongs to nobody. Spanish Proverb What breaks in a moment may take years to mend. Swedish proverb What one knows it is sometimes useful to forget. Latin Proverb What you can not avoid, welcome. Chinese Proverb When a father helps a son, both smile; but when a son must help his father, both cry. Jewish Proverb When a twig grows hard it is difficult to twist it. Every beginning is weak. Irish Proverb When fire is applied to a stone it cracks. Irish Proverb When fortune knocks upon the door open it widely. Spanish Proverb When ill luck falls asleep, let none wake her. Italian Proverb When its time has arrived, the prey becomes the hunter. Persian Proverb When one dog barks another will join it. Latin Proverb When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion. Ethiopian proverb When the apple is ripe it will fall. Irish Proverb When the drop (drink) is inside, the sense is outside. Irish Proverb When the iron is hot, strike. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) When the liquor was gone the fun was gone. Irish Proverb When the mouse laughs at the cat, there is a hole nearby. Nigerian Proverb When the sun shineth, make hay. John Heywood "The Proverbs of John Heywood" (1546) When the sword of rebellion is drawn, the sheath should be thrown away. English Proverb When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. African Proverb When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. Chinese Proverb When we sing everybody hears us, when we sigh nobody hears us. Russian Proverb When you live next to the cemetery you cannot weep for everyone. Russian Proverb When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. Indian proverb When your enemy falls, don't rejoice -- but don't pick him up either. Yiddish Proverb Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Bible - Proverbs 11:14. Where the tongue slips, it speaks the truth. Irish Proverb Where there is love there is pain. Spanish Proverb Where there is no vision, the people perish. Bible - Proverbs 29:18 Where there's music there can be love. French Proverb While the cat's away, the mice can play. Proverb of Unknown Origin Who begins too much accomplishes little. German proverb Who knows most speaks least. Spanish Proverb Who lies with dogs shall rise up with fleas. Latin Proverb Wine divulges truth. Irish Proverb Witches and harlots come out at night. English Proverb With foxes we must play the fox. Proverb of Unknown Origin With money you are a dragon; with no money, a worm. Chinese Proverb Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. Bible - Proverbs 23:13-14. Without justice, courage is weak. North American Proverb Wonder is the beginning of wisdom. Greek proverb Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow is but a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to This Day. Sanskrit Proverb You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Irish Proverb You cannot reason with a hungry belly; it has no ears. Greek Proverb You cannot unscramble eggs. North American Proverb You can't hatch chickens from fried eggs. Dutch Proverb You have to kiss a lot of toads before you find a handsome prince. North American Proverb You must live with a person to know a person. If you want to know me come and live with me. Irish Proverb Young men may die, old men must. English Proverb Young wood makes a hot fire. Greek Proverb Your health comes first; you can always hang yourself later. Yiddish Proverb Your neighbor's apples are the sweetest. Yiddish Proverb Youth does not mind where it sets its foot. Irish Proverb Youth sheds many a skin. The steed (horse) does not retain its speed forever. Irish Proverb You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was. Irish Proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dementia Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Brevity is the soul of wit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keltoi Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 ye canny shove yer granny aff the bus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redruth Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 we are only truly in control of what we give control to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perunamuusi Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 "Badly cut hair is two men's shame" danish "When one is past thirty, one can about half comprehend the weather" chinese "People of 70, you should not keep overnight, and do not invite a person of 80 to sit down" chinese "Consult thy wife and do the reverse of what she says" tunisian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perunamuusi Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 "It is far easier to bear a child once a year than to shave everyday" Russian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gary C Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 tldr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perunamuusi Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 "Trust a snake before a Jew, a Jew before a Greek, but Never an Armenian" French "Lending to a spendthrift is like pelting a trespassing dog with meat dumplings" Chinese "When God wills the destruction of an ant, He gives it wings" Iraqi "The man who tickles himself can laugh when he chooses" German Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perunamuusi Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 "The man with nostrils is Mr Nose amongst the noseless" Hindi "When the deaf gives the blind a lamp, he receives bagpipes" German "Do not blame God for having created the tiger, but thank Him for not having given it wings" Ethiopian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest margaret thatcher Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 if work was any good, the rich would do it - cornish proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perunamuusi Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 "Beware the foreparts of a woman, the hind parts of a mule and all sides of a priest" English Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest margaret thatcher Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 "quitting drinking won't make you live longer, it'll just feel longer" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redruth Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 a spoon does not know the taste of soup, nor a learned fool the taste of wisdom. Welsh Proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keltoi Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Choose your wife with her nightcap on! Scottish Fools make feasts and wise men eat them, The wise make jests and fools repeat them. Scottish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rambo Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 A drink precedes a story. Irish Proverb I like this one because it reminds us of how we need liquid to survive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redruth Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 There's a very fine line between being scared and concerned. Since I don't like to say i'm scared i say i'm concerned. But you know what? I really might be a little bit scared. - Knievel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Deep Fried Everything Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 strip a man of his morals and he'll need some mushrooms for his soup that evening Dutch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keltoi Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 A' are gude lasses, but where do the ill wives come frae? "All are good maids, but whence come the bad wives?"-- Spanish. A' are no friends that speak us fair. "All are not friends who smile at you."-- Dutch. A' are no thieves that dogs bark at. A bad wound may heal, but a bad name will kill. A bairn maun creep afore it gangs. A bald head is sune shaved. A bark frae a teethless dog is as gude as a bite. A bauld fae is better than a cowardly friend. A bawbee cat may look at a king. A beggar's wallet is a mile to the bottom. Because it generally contrives to contain all he gets. A bird in the hand's worth twa fleeing by. A bit is aften better gi'en than eaten. A black hen can lay a white egg. A Blainslie lawin'--there's mair for meat than drink. A blate cat maks a proud mouse. When discipline is not enforced, subordinates are apt to take advantage of it. A blind man needs nae looking-glass. A blind man's wife needs nae painting. A blythe heart maks a bloomin' look. A body's no broke while they hae a gude kail stock. "When all is not lost, all can be recovered."-- English. A bonnie gryce may mak an ugly sow. "Fair in the cradle may be foul in the saddle. "-- English. A borrowed len' should gae laughing hame. When we return an article which has been borrowed, to its owner, we should do it with a good grace. A bow o'erbent will weaken. Abundance o' law breaks nae law. A careless watch invites the thief. A' cats are grey in the dark. A close mouth catches nae flees. "A shut mouth keeps me out of strife."-- Portuguese. A cock's aye crouse on his am midden-head. "A cock is valiant on his own dunghill."-- Danish. A' complain o' want o' siller, but nane o' want o' sense. A coward's fear maks a brave man braver. A crackit bell will never mend. A' cracks mauna be trew'd. All that is heard must not be believed. A crafty man's ne'er at peace. A crammed kyte maks a crazy carcase. "A full belly sets a man jigging."-- French. A craw will no wash white. A crooked man should sow beans, and a woad man peas. "The one agrees to be thick sown, the other thin."-- Kelly. A crookit stick will throw a crookit shadow. A cuddy's gallop's sune done. A cumbersome cur is hated in company. A daft nurse maks a wise wean. A day to come seems langer than a year that's gane. A dear ship lies lang in the harbour. A dish o' married love grows sune cauld. A dog winna yowl if ye fell him wi' a bane. "Pelt a dog with bones, and you will not offend him."-- Italian. friend's past services. A dreigh drink is better than a dry sermon. A drink is shorter than a tale. An excuse for drinking during the telling of a story. A drink is shorter than a tale. An excuse for drinking during the telling of a story. A dry summer ne'er made a dear peck. "Drought never bred dearth."-- English. A duck winna dabble aye in ae hole. A dumb man hauds a'. That is, figuratively, makes no disclosures. A dumb man ne'er got land. A dumb man wins nae law. A loquacious advocate is more likely to gain his case than a taciturn one. Ae fine thing needs twa to set it aff Ae gude friend is worth mony relations. Ae gude turn deserves anither. Ae half o' the warld disna ken how the ither half lives. Ae hand winna wash the ither for nought. Ae hour in the morning is worth twa at night. Ae hour's cauld will drive oot seven years' heat. Ae lawsuit breeds twenty. Ae man may steal a horse where anither daurna look ower the hedge. A man with a bad character is liable to be blamed for any misdeed which may be done; while a person who is not open to suspicion may commit depredation without challenge. Ae man's meat is anither man's poison. Ae scabbit sheep will smit a hirsel. One bad character may pollute a whole company. Ae scone o' that baking's enough. Ae shook o' that stook's enough. One specimen of a bad article is sufficient. Ae swallow disna mak a summer. Ae word before is worth twa behint. A' fails that fools think. A fa'ing maister maks a standin' man. A fair maid tocherless will get mair wooers than husbands. A fair offer is nae cause o' feud. Affront your friend in daffin', and tine him in earnest. Affront him not in jest, lest you lose him in earnest. A fidging mare should be wed girded. "A thief does not always steal, but always be on your guard against him."-- Russian. A findsilly bairn gars his faither be hang'd. A fisherman's walk--twa steps and overboard. A fool and his money are sune parted. A fool at forty will ne'er be wise. A fool is happier thinking weel o' himself, than a wise man is o' others thinking weel o' him. A fool may earn money, but it taks a wise man to keep it. A fool may gie a wise man a counsel. A fool may speer mair questions than a wise man can answer. A fool's bolt is sune shot. A fool winna gie his toy for the Tower o' London. A foul hand maks a clean hearthstane. A friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend to a' is a friend to nane. "Everybody's friend is nobody's friend."-- Spanish. A friend's dinner's sune dished. That is, a true friend is easily served, and will not readily take offence. A friend's ne'er ken't till he's needed. Aft counting keeps friends lang thegither. "Short accounts make long friends."-- English. After a storm comes a calm. After cheese, naething. After clouds comes fair weather. After dinner sit a while, after supper walk a mile. After joy comes annoy. After Lammas, corn ripens by day and night. After that comes a cow to be shod. After words come weird: fair fa' them that ca' me "Madam." After libel comes proof: let those who speak ill of me look to themselves. After you is gude manners. "Spoken when our betters offer to serve us first"-- Kelly. Aft ettle, whiles hit. Often try, occasionally succeed. Aft times the cautioner pays the debt A fu' cup is ill to carry. A fu' heart is aye kind. A fu' heart never lee'd. Intimating that the truth generally comes out under the impulse of the feelings. A fu' man and a hungry horse aye mak haste hame. A fu' man's a true man. A man under the influence of drink, if he speak at all, usually speaks truth. A fu' purse maks a haverin merchant. A man with a full purse engaged in commercial transactions is apt to "haver," or gossip freely. A fu' purse never lacks friends. A fu' wame maks a straught back. A full stomach makes a man walk erectly. A gentle horse should be sindle spurr'd. A gi'en game was ne'er won. A voluntary concession may be no tribute to the skill of the opponent A gi'en horse shouldna be looked i' the mouth. A gi'en piece is soon eaten. A gowk at Yule'll no be bright at Beltane. He that is a fool at Christmas will not be wise in May. A great rooser was ne'er a gude rider. A great boaster is rarely a great performer. A greedy e'e ne'er got a fu' wame. A greedy e'e ne'er got a gude pennyworth. This and the preceding proverb signify that a covetous or greedy man is never satisfied. A green wound is half hale. A groat is ill saved that shames its master. A grunting horse and a graneing wife seldom fail their master. People that are constantly in the habit of complaining how ill they are, generally contrive to live as long as their neighbours. A gude beginning maks a gude ending. A gude calf is better than a calf o' a gude kind. The one is good already, while it is possible that the other may turn out bad. A gude cause maks a strong arm. A gude conscience is the best divinity. A gude day's darg may be done wi' a dirty spade. A gude dog ne'er barkit about a bane. A gude face needs nae band, and an ill ane deserves nane. A gude fellow is a costly name. A gude fellow ne'er tint but at an ill fellow's hand. A gude goose may hae an ill gaiflin. A gude green turf is a gude gudemother. A mother-in-law is best in the churchyard. A gude grieve is better than an ill worker. A gude ingle maks a roomy fireside. A gude lawyer may be an ill neighbour. A gude man maks a gude wife. A gude name is sooner tint than won. "Good repute is like the cypress; once cut, it never puts forth leaf again."-- Italian. A gude paymaster ne'er wants hands to work. A gude steel is worth a penny. A gude tale's no the waur o' being twice tauld. A gude tongue's a gude safeguard. A gude wife and health is a man's best wealth. A gude word is as easy said as an ill ane. A gude year winna mak him, nor an ill year mar him. "A beggar will ne'er be a bankrupt."-- English. A guilty conscience self accuses. A hadden tongue maks a slabbered mou'. A hairy man's a geary man, but a hairy wife's a witch. A half burn'd peat is easily kindled. A hanfu' o' trade is worth a gowpen o' gold. Literally, the knowledge of a trade is worth a handful of gold. A hantle cry Murder! and are aye upmost. Many that are least hurt cry loudest. A hasty man is never lusty. A hasty man never wanted wae. A hearty hand to gie a hungry meltith. A hen that lays thereout should hae a white nest-egg. Some attractions should be provided at home for those who are not naturally attached to it. A' his buz shakes nae barley. All his talking does no good, or, vice versa, all his stormy temper does no harm. A hook is weel tint to catch a salmon. "Throw sprats to catch whales."-- Spanish. A horse broken and a wife to break, is a horse made and a wife to make. A horse hired never tired. A horse wi' four feet may snapper. Snapper, to stumble. Even the best of men may err. A house built and a garden to grow never brought what they cost. A house fu' o' folk, and a pouch wi' three fardens i' the corner o't, dinna sort weel thegither. Poverty and a desire to keep up appearances do not "sort weel." A house in a hastrie is downright wastrie. A house wi' a reek and a wife wi' a reard will mak a man rin to the door. "Smoke, a dripping roof, and a scolding wife, are enough to drive a man out of his life."-- Spanish. A hungry louse bites sair. "Spoken when the needy are importunate in their cravings, or exacting."-- Kelly. A hungry man has aye a lazy cook. A hungry man's an angry man. A hungry man smells meat far. A hungry stomach is aye craving. A hungry wame has nae lugs. A hungry man is deaf to reason. A' I got frae him I could put in my e'e, and see nane the waur for't. A satirical way of expressing that some service has been allowed to go unrewarded. A' ills are gude untried. Air day or late day, the fox's hide finds aye the slaying knife. Sooner or later justice overtakes evil-doers. A kindly word cools anger. A kiss and a drink o' water mak but a wersh breakfast. Spoken disapprovingly of those who marry for love, without due regard to means. A landward lad is aye laithfu'. A country or rustic lad is always bashful. A lang gather'd dam soon runs out. A lang tongue has a short hand. "They who are lavish in their promises, are often short in their performances."-- Kelly. A lass that has mony wooers aft wails the warst. A laughing-faced lad often maks a lither servant. A layin' hen is better than a standin' mill. A standing mill is profitless, whereas a laying hen is not. A leaky ship needs muckle pumping. A leal heart never lied. Ale-sellers shouldna be tale-tellers. They hear everybody's story, but prudence demands that they should keep it to themselves. A liar should hae a gude memory. A light-heeled mother maks a heavy-heeled dochter. A light purse maks a heavy heart. Alike every day maks a clout on Sunday. A little wit ser's a lucky man. A' law's no justice. A loving heart and a leal within, are better than gowd or gentle kin. A lucky man needs little counsel. A maid aft seen and a gown aft worn, are disesteemed and held in scorn. "Amaist" and "Very near" hae aye been great liars. Amaist was ne'er a man's life. A man at five may be a fool at fifteen. A man at forty is either a fool or a physician. A man canna bear a' his ain kin about on his back. A man canna wive and thrive the same year. Amang you be't, priest's bairns: I am but a priest's oe. A man has nae mair gudes than he gets gude o'. A man is a lion for his ain cause. "No man so zealous for, or assiduous in, a man's business as himself."-- Kelly. A man maun spoil ere he spin. A man may be kind, yet gie little o' his gear. A man may haud his tongue in an ill time. A man may keep silent at a time or under circumstances where it is an injury to himself. A man may lose his ain for lack o' craving. A man may speer the gate he kens fu' weel. A man may spit in his neive and do but little. He may make a great show of working but still do very little. A man may woo where he will, but maun wed where his weird is. A man o' mony trades may beg his bread on Sunday. "Jack of all trades, master of none."-- English. A man o' words, and no o' deeds, is like a garden fu' o' weeds. A man's aye crouse in his ain cause. A man's hat in his hand ne'er did him ony harm. A man's mind is a mirk mirror. A man's weel or wae as he thinks himsel sae. A man wi' ae ee, can see mair than you wi' your twa. A master's ee maks a fat horse. "No eye like the master's eye."-- English. A mear's shoe will fit a horse. "Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander."-- English. A misty morning may be a clear day. A mouthfu' o' meat may be a tounfu' o' shame. "That is, if it be stolen--intimating that a little thing picked will procure a great disgrace."-- Kelly. A muckle mouth has aye gude luck for its meat. A muffled cat was ne'er a gude hunter. An Aberdeen man ne'er stands to the word that hurts him. A nag wi' a wame and a mare wi' nane are no a gude pair. An air winter maks a sair winter. A naked man maun rin. A man that is destitute must exert himself. An auld dog bites sicker. An auld horse may dee ere the grass grow. "While the grass is growing the steed is starving."-- German. An auld knave's nae bairn. "An old fox needs learn no new tricks."-- English. An auld man's a bedfu' o' banes. An auld mason maks a gude barrowman. An auld pock is aye skailing. An auld pock needs muckle clouting. Old things, generally, are often in need of repair. Ance awa, aye awa. When people once go away from home for a time, there is always a feeling among those left that the bond which binds them to home is weakened, and very little persuasion is required to take them away again. Ance is nae custom. Ance paid, never craved. Ance Provost, aye My Lord. Ance wud, and aye waur. Ance wud, never wise. A person once "wud," or deranged, is always suspected of being so, in the event of anything strange taking place. Ane at a time is gude fishing. An eating horse ne'er foundered. An excuse for taking a hearty meal, meaning that plenty of food will injure neither man nor beast. Ane beats the bush, and anither grips the bird. Ane does the skaith, anither gets the scorn. Ane gets sma' thanks for tineing his am. Ane is no sae soon healed as hurt. An elbuck dirl will lang play thirl. Ane may like a haggis weel enough that wouldna like the bag bladded on his chafts. Ane may like the kirk weel enough, and no aye be riding on the rigging o't. Ane would like to be lo'ed, but wha would mool in wi' a moudiewort? The three preceding proverbs mean, that although a man may be very fond of his relations, property, and what not, still there are certain extremes to be avoided, for if even approached, they verge into the ridiculous. Ane may think that daurna speak. Ane never tines by doing gude. Ane o' the court, but nane o' the council. Meaning that although your presence and advice may on certain occasions be requested, it is only for form's sake. Ane's ain hearth is gowd's worth. Ane will gar a hundred lee. A new pair o' breeks will cast down an auld coat. A new article of dress will make the others look much more worn than they really are. The acquisition of a new friend may tend to lower our esteem for those of longer standing. Anger's mair hurtfu' than the wrang that caused it. Anger's short-lived in a gude man. An honest man's word's his bond. An idle brain is the deil's workshop. "He that labours is tempted by one devil; he that is idle by a thousand."-- Italian. An ilka-day braw maks a Sabbath-day daw. He that wears his best at all times will have nothing to suit extraordinary occasions. An ill cook should hae a gude cleaver. An ill cow may hae a gude calf. An ill custom is like a gude bannock--better broken than kept. An ill lesson is easy learned. An ill life maks an ill death. An ill plea should be weel pled. An ill servant ne'er made a gude maister. An ill turn is soon done. An ill wife and a new-kindled candle should hae their heads hadden down. "But both must be done with care, caution, and discretion; otherwise you may put the candle out and make the wife worse."-- Kelly. An ill-willy cow should hae short horns. "It were a pity that a man of ill-nature should have much authority, for he'll be sure to abuse it."-- Kelly. An ill-won penny will cast down a pound. An inch breaks nae squares. "A little difference ought not to occasion any contests among good neighbours."-- Kelly. An inch o' gude luck is worth a faddom o' forecast. A nod frae a lord is a breakfast for a fool. A nod o' honest men's eneugh. A nod's as gude's a wink to a blind horse. An olite mother maks a dawdie dochter. An only dochter is either a deil or a daw. An ounce o' mither-wit is worth a pound o' clergy. An ounce o' wit is worth a pound o' lear. "An ounce of mother-wit is worth a pound of schoolwit."-- German. An unlucky fish taks bad bait. An unlucky man's cart is eithly coup'd. An ye loe me look in my dish. A delicate request for a second supply of soup. A' owers spills. A party pot ne'er plays even. An interested or prejudiced individual cannot be an impartial judge of both sides of a question. A penny hain'd's a penny clear, and a preen a-day's a groat a-year. A penny hain'd's a penny gained. A penny in my purse will gar me drink when my friends winna. A penny in the purse is a gude friend. A penny in the purse is better than a crown awa. A pennyweight o' love is worth a pound o' law. A pickle's no miss'd in a mickle. A poll parrot thinks weel o' itsel. A poor man is fain o' little. A poor man's debt maks muckle din. A pound o' care winna pay an ounce o' debt. Care here means sorrow, or trouble of mind, and must not be associated with care in the sense of frugality or economy, which has paid many an ounce of debt. A pound o' woo' is as heavy as a pound o' lead. A primsie damsel maks a daidlin' dame. A proud heart in a poor breast has muckle dolour to dree. A proud mind and an empty purse gree ill thegither. "A true proverb! and the worst is, they meet often."-- Kelly. A raggit coat was ne'er a mote in a man's marriage. A reckless house maks mony thieves. A red nose maks a raggit back. A reeky house and a girnin' wife, will lead a man a fashious life. A reproof is nae poison. "No, indeed! but a wholesome medicine, which whosoever refuseth is brutish!"-- Kelly. A rich man has mair cousins than his faither had kin. A rich man's wooing's no lang doing. A rough bane maks a fu' wame. As a carl riches he wretches. "Wretch, a covetous or niggardly person."-- Jamieson. As a man becomes rich he also becomes more parsimonious. A safe conscience maks a sound sleep. A saft aiver was ne'er a gude horse. As ane flits anither sits, and that keeps mailins dear. As brisk as bottled ale. A's but lip-wit that wants experience. A scabbed horse is gude enough for a sca'd squire. A sca'ded cat dreads cauld water. As canker'd as a cow wi' ae horn. "As proud as a hen with one chuck."-- English. A scar'd head is eith to bleed. A scar'd head is soon broken. A reputation already questionable is easily lost altogether. As coarse as Nancie's harn sark,--three threads out o' the pound. A Scotch mist will weet an Englishman to the skin. A Scotsman and a Newcastle grindstane travel a' the world ower. Alluding to the wandering propensities of the one and the good qualities of the other. A Scotsman is aye wise ahint the hand. "It is too late to throw water on the cinders when the house is burned down."-- Danish. As dark as a Yule midnight. As day brake, butter brake. "Spoken when a person or thing that was wanting comes opportunely."-- Kelly. A seven years' maiden is aye at the slight. As fain as a fool o' a fair day. A's fair at the ba'. "All's fair in war."-- English. As fause as Waghorn. "Waghorn, a fabulous personage, who, being a liar nineteen times greater than the devil, was crowned King of liars."-- Jamieson. A's fine that's fit. A's fish that comes to the net. As fu' o' mischief as an egg's fu' o' meat. As gentle as Gorman's bitch, that lap ower the ingle and ate the roast. As gude a fellow as ever toom'd a bicker. As gude eat the deil as sup the kail he's boiled in. As gude fish in the sea as e'er cam out o't. As gude gie the lichty as tak it. "Lichtly, and expression of contempt or insult: to undervalue, to slight, to despise."- Jamieson. As gude may haud as draw. As gude may haud the stirrup as he that loups on. As gude merchants tine as win. As gude ne'er a bit, as ne'er the better. "Unless you make a thing the better for you, you had as good let it alone."-- Kelly. A's gude that God sends. A shave aff a new cut loaf's never missed. A shor'd tree stands lang. "Men do not die of threats."-- Dutch. A short grace is gude for hungry folk. A short horse is sune wispit. A sillerless man gangs fast through the market. A silly man will be slily dealt wi'. "He that makes himself a sheep, shall be eaten by the wolf."-- English. A sinking maister maks a rising man. A skelpit bum breaks nae banes. Ask the tapster if his ale be gude. Ask your purse what you should buy. As lang as a dog would be bound wi' a bluidy puddin'. As lang as the bird sings before Candlemas he greets after it. As lang as ye serve the tod ye maun carry his tail. As lang lasts the hole as the heel leather. "Spoken to them that quarrel with a hole in your coat or shoe: often applied otherways."-- Kelly. As Lang lives the merry man as the sad. As lang rins the tod as he has feet. A slow hand maks a sober fortune. A slow fire maks a sweat maut. A sma' leak will sink a great ship. As menseless as a tinkler's messan. As merry's a mautman. A smith's house is aye lowin'. As mony beads as mony wits. As muckle upwith as muckle downwith. A's no help that's at hand. A's no ill that's ill like. A's no part. A's no tint that fa's bye. A's no tint that's in hazard. As poor as a kirk mouse. A spur in the head's worth twa in the heel. As sair fights the wren as the crane. As sure's death. A steek in time saves nine. As the auld cock craws the young cock learns. As the day lengthens the cauld strengthens. As the fool thinks the bell clinks. As the market gangs the wares sell. As the sow fills the draff sours. A still sow eats a' the draff. A's tint that's put in a riven dish. All is lost that is put into a broken dish. Favours bestowed on ungrateful persons are thrown away. As true as Biglam's cat crew, and the cock rocked the cradle. "Spoken when we hear one call that true that we know to be a lye."-- Kelly A sturdy beggar should hae a stout nae-sayer. As wanton as a wet hen. As weel be hang'd for a sheep as a lamb. As weel be out o' the warld as out o' fashion. As wight as a wabster's doublet, that ilka day taks a thief by the neck. As ye are stout be merciful. As ye mak your bed sae ye maun lie on't. A taking hand will never want, let the world be e'er sae scant. A tarrowing bairn was never fat. A child that refuses or is slow in taking its food. People who will not take advantage as opportunities offer, cannot expect to prosper so well as those who do. A tale never tines in the telling. A' that's said in the kitchen shouldna be tauld in the ha'. A' that's said shouldna be sealed. A' that ye'll tak wi' ye will be but a kist and a sheet, after a'. In allusion to the death of persons who may be proud of their possessions. A' the claes on your back was ance in clues. A' the keys of the country hang na in ae belt. All the influence or power is not in one man's possession. A' the speed's no in the spurs. A' the winning's in the first buying. A' the wit o' the world's no in ae pow. A'thing angers ye, and the cat breaks your heart. A' things thrive at thrice. A'thing wytes that no weel fares. A thoughtless body's aye thrang. A thrawn question should hae a thrawart answer. A thread will tie an honest man better than a rope will do a rogue. At my leisure, as lairds dee. "Fair and softly, as lawyers go to heaven."-- English. A tocherless dame sits lang at hame. A toolying tike comes limping hame. "Toolying tike," quarrelsome dog. A toom hand is nae lure for a hawk. A toom pantry maks a thriftless gudewife. A toom purse maks a thrawn face. At open doors dogs gae ben. A travelled man has leave to lee. A tricky man's easiest tricket. A turn weel done is sune done. A twalpenny eat may look at a king. Auld chimes and auld rhymes gar us think on auld times. Auld folk are twice bairns. Auld moon mist ne'er died o' thrist. "Foggy weather in the last quarter of the moon is supposed to betoken moisture."-- Robert Chambers. Auld sins breed new sairs. Auld sparrows are ill to tame. Auld springs gie me price. Things out of fashion are valueless. Auld wives and bairns mak fools o' physicians. Auld wives were aye gude maidens. A vaunter and a liar are near akin. A wa' between best preserves friendship. Meaning that friends are best separate. A wad is a fule's argument. "Fools, for argument, lay Wagers."- Butler. A waited pat's lang o' boiling. A wee house has a wide throat. A wee house weel fill'd, a wee piece land weel till'd, a wee wife weel will'd, will mak a happy man. A wee mouse will creep beneath a muckle corn stack. A wee spark maks muckle wark. A wee thing fleys cowards. A wee thing puts your beard in a bleeze. A wee thing ser's a cheerfu' mind. A whang off a cut kebbuck's never miss'd. A wight man ne'er wanted a weapon. A wild goose ne'er laid tame eggs. A wilfu' man should be unco wise. A willing mind maks a light foot. A winking cat's no aye blind. A winter day and a wintry way is the life o' man. A winter night, a woman's mind, and a laird's purpose, aften change. "Women, wind, and luck soon change."-- Portuguese. A wise head maks a close mouth. A wise lawyer ne'er gangs to law himsel. A wise man gets learning frae them that hae nane o' their ain. A wise man wavers, a fool is fixed. A woman's gude either for something or naething. A word is enough to the wise. A working mither maks a daw dochter. Another rendering of "A light-heeled mother," &c. Aye as ye thrive your feet fa's frae ye. "Unexpected interruptions occur in business."-- Kelly. "The farther you go, the farther behind."-- English. Aye flether away ;--since I'll no do wi' foul play, try me wi' fair. Aye takin' out o' the meal pock and ne'er puttin' in't soon comes to the bottom. Aye tak the fee when the tear's in the ee. Aye to eild, but never to wit. That is, he is always growing older, but never any wiser. BACHELORS' wives and auld maids' bairns are aye weel bred. Bad legs and ill wives should stay at hame. Bairns are certain care, but nae sure joy. Bairns speak i' the field what they hear i' the ha'. Baith weal and woe come aye wi' world's gear. "'And I positively must not ask you how you have come by all this money?' said the clergyman. . . . . 'Is it anything that distresses your own mind?' 'There is baith weal and woe come wi' warld's gear, Reuben: but ye maun ask me naething mair.--This siller binds me to naething, and can never be speered back again."'-- Heart of Midlothian. Baked bread and brown ale winna bide lang. Bannocks are better than nae bread. "Half a loaf is better than no bread."-- English. Barefooted folk shouldna tread on thorns. "Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones."-- English. Bare gentry, bragging beggars. Bare words mak nae bargain. Bastard brood are aye proud. Be a friend to yoursel, and others will. Bear and forbear is gude philosophy. Bear wealth weel, poortith will bear itsel. Beauty, but bounty's but bauch. Beauty is but skin deep. Beauty's muck when honour's tint. Beauty is worthless when honour is lost. Be aye the thing you would be ca'd, "Because" is a woman's reason. "I have no other but a woman's reason: I think him so, because I think him so."-- Shakespeare. Beds are best, quo' the man to his guest. We presume he said so on the score of economy, i.e., to evade supplying supper. Beefsteaks and porter are gude belly mortar. Bees that hae honey in their mouths hae stings in their tails. Before an ill wife be gude, even if she was a' turned to tongue. Before, I ween'd; but now, I wat. Before, I only suspected; now, I am certain. "Spoken on the full discovery of some malefice, which before we only suspected."-- Kelly. Before the deil gaes blind, and he's no blear e'ed yet. Before ye choose a friend, eat a peck o' saut wi' him. Be gaun, the gate's before you. Be going, the road lies before you. A jocose or surly hint to go. Beg frae beggars and you'll ne'er be rich. Beggars breed, and rich men feed. Beggars downa bide wealth. Beggars shouldna be choosers. Begin wi' needles and preens, and end wi' horn'd nowte. That is, beginnings apparently trifling may lead to very great results. Used here as a caution against dishonesty. Be it better, be it worse, be ruled by him that has the purse. Be it sae, is nae banning. Used in yielding a point in dispute because you are either unwilling or unable to argue further; but also indicating that you do not admit yourself to be in the wrong. Be lang sick, that ye may be soon hale. Believe a' ye hear, an' ye may eat a' ye see. Belyve is twa hours and a half. A jocular allusion to the fact that if a person says he will be back, or done with anything "belyve," that is, immediately, or in a little, the probability is he will be longer than expected. Be ready wi' your bonnet, but slow wi' your purse. Be slow in choosing a friend, but slower in changing him. Best to be off wi' the auld love before we be on wi' the new. Be thou weel, or be thou wae, yet thou wilt not aye be sae. Better a bit in the morning than a fast a' day. Better a clout in than a hole out. That is, a patched garment is better than one with holes in it. Better a dog fawn on you than bark at you. Better ae e'e than a' blind. Better ae wit bought than twa for nought. Better a finger aff as aye wagging. "The first night is aye the warst o't. I hae never heard o' ane that sleepit the night afore the trial, but of mony a ane that sleepit as sound as a tap the night before their necks were straughted. And it's nae wonder--the warst may be tholed when it's kend: Better a finger aff as aye wagging."-- Heart of Midlothian. Better a fremit friend than a friend fremit. Better have a stranger for your friend than a friend turned stranger. Better a gude fame than a fine face. Better alane than in ill company. Better a laying hen than a lying crown. Better a lean horse than a toom halter. Better a poor horse than no horse at all. Better a mouse in the pat than nae flesh. Better an auld man's darling than a young man's warling. "Used as an argument to induce a young girl to marry an old man, to the doing of which no argument should prevail."-- Kelly. Better an even down snaw than a driving drift. Better an ill spune than nae horn. Better a saft road than bad company. "'I redd ye, Earnscliff' (this Hobble added in a gentle whisper), 'let us take a cast about, as if to draw the wind on a buck--the bog is no abune knee-deep, and better a saft road than bad company.'"-- The Black Dwarf. Better a sair fae than a fause friend. Better a shameless eating than a shamefu' leaving. Better a sma' fish than an empty dish. Better at a time to gie than tak. Better a thigging mither than a riding father. Better a tocher in her than wi' her. That is, better that a wife have good qualities without money than vice versa. Better a toom house than an ill tenant. Better auld debts than auld sairs. Better a wee bush than nae beild. Better a wee fire to warm you than a big fire to burn you. Better bairns greet than bearded men. Better be a coward than a corpse. "Discretion is the better part of valour."-- English. Better be at the end o' a feast than at the beginning o' a fray. Better be before at a burial than ahint at a bridal. Better be blythe wi' little than sad wi' naething. Better be envied than pitied. Better be friends at a distance than enemies at hame. Better be happy than wise. Better be idle than ill doing. Better be John Tamson's man, than Ring and Dinn's, or John Knox's. "John Thomson's man is he that is complaisant to his wife's humours; Ring and Dinn's is he whom his wife scolds; John Knox's is he whom his wife beats."-- Kelly. Better be kind than cumbersome. Better belly burst than gude meat spoil. A plea for gluttony on the score of economy. Better bend than break. Better be out o' the warld than out o' fashion. Better be sonsy than soon up. Better be the head o' the commons than the tail o the gentry. "To reign is worth ambition, though in hell Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven"-- Milton. Better be the lucky man than the lucky man's son. Better bow to my faes than beg frae my friends. Better buy than borrow. Better cry "Feigh, saut," than " Feigh, stink." The first can be remedied or improved in cooking; but a putrid article cannot. Better day the better deed. Better do it than wish it done. Better eat brown bread in youth than in eild. Better fed than bred. Better find iron than tine siller. Better fleech a fool than fight him. "'I have as much mind as ever I had to my dinner, to go back and tell him to sort his horse himself, since he is as able as I am.' 'Hout tout, man !' answered Jasper, 'keep a calm sough: better to fleech a fool than tight with him.'"-- The Monastery. Better gang about than fa' in the dub. Rather a long road and safety than a short one attended with danger. Better gang to bed supperless than rise in debt. Better gie the slight than tak it. Better greet ower your gudes than after your gudes. Meaning that it is better not to sell goods at all than to sell and not be paid for them. Better gude sale than gude ale. Better guide weel than work sair. Better hae than want. Better hain weel than work sair. Better half egg than toom doup. "Better half an egg than empty shells."-- German. Better half hang'd than ill married. Better hand loose nor bound to an ill bakie. "Bakie, the stake to which an ox or cow is bound to the stall."-- Jamieson. Better hands loose than in an ill tethering. Better happy at court than in gude service. Better haud at the brim than at the bottom. Better haud by a hair than draw by a tether. Better haud out than put out. "Prevention is better than cure."-- English. Better haud wi' the hounds than rin wi' the hare. The policy of the Vicar of Bray. It is better to side with the strongest or winning party. Better keep the deil out than hae to put him out. Better keep weel than make weel. Better lang little than soon naething. Better late thrive than never do weel. Better laugh at your ain pint stoup, than greet and gather gear. It is better to be merry spending money, than sorrowful acquiring it. Better learn frae your neebor's skaith than frae your ain. Learn experience rather from the misfortunes of others than from your own. Better leave to my faes than beg frae my friends. Better leave than lack. That it is better to have too much of some things than too little. Better live in hope than die in despair. Better marry ower the midden than ower the muir. Rather marry among those whom you know than go among strangers for a wife. "Marry over the mixon, and you will know who and what she is."-- German. "Your wife and your nag get from a neighbour."-- Italian. Better master ane than tight wi' ten. Better my bairns seek frae me than I beg frae them. Better my friends think me fremit than fashious. Better visit friends seldom than so often as to prove troublesome. Better nae ring nor the ring o' a rash. Better ne'er begun than ne'er ended. Better ower 't than in 't. Better beyond the fear of danger than in it. Better plays the fu' wame than the new coat. A man may be well dressed but still have a hungry belly, and vice versa. He that has the "fu' wame" is the more likely to be in good spirits. Better rough an' sonsy than bare an' donsy. It is better to be rough in manners, if coupled with prosperous circumstances, than be "genteel" and at the same time poverty stricken. Better rue sit than rue flit. Better not remove at all than do so and then regret it. "Didna I see when gentle Geordie was seeking to get other folk out of the Tolbooth forby Jocky Porteous ? but ye are of my mind, hinny--better sit and rue, than flit and rue--ye needna look in my face sae amazed. I ken mair things than that, maybe."-- Heart of Midlothian. Better saucht wi' little aucht than care wi' mony cows. Better comfort and peace of mind with little, than care and contention with much. Better saut than sour. Better say "Here it is" than "Here it was." Better short and sweet than lang and lax. Better sit idle than work for nought. Better sit still than rise an' fa'. Better skaith saved than mends made. Better that offence should not be given than committed and then apologized for. Better sma' fish than nane. Better soon as syne. Better spared than ill spent. Better speak bauldly out than aye be grumphin'. If a complaint requires to be made, make it openly and straightforwardly, instead of continuing to fret about it in an indirect manner. Better the barn filled than the bed. Because a full barn denotes prosperity, a full bed trouble. Better the end o' a feast than the beginning o' a fray. Better the mother wi' the pock, than the faither wi' the sack. "The mother, though in a low condition, will be more kindly to, and more careful of, orphans, than the father can be, though in a better."-- Kelly. Better the ill ken'd than the gude unken'd. Better the nag that ambles a' the day than him that makes a brattle for a mile and then's dune wi' the road. Better thole a grumph than a sumph. Be troubled rather by an intelligent, though surly man, than by a stupid one. Better tine life than gude fame. "I might line fled frae this Tolbooth on that awfu' night wi' ane wha wad hae carried me through the warld, and friended me, and fended for me. But I said to them, Let life gang when gude fame is gane before it."-- Heart of Midlothian. Better tine your joke than tine your friend. Better to baud than draw. Better to rule wi' the gentle hand than the strang. Better twa skaiths than ae sorrow. "Losses may be repaired, but sorrow will break the heart and ruin the constitution."-- Kelly. Better unkind than ower cumbersome. Better unmarried than ill married. Better wade back mid water than gang forward and drown. Rather withdraw from a bargain or position found likely to prove bad or dangerous than proceed with either in hopes of improvement. Better wait on cooks than leeches. Better wear shoon than wear sheets. Better you laugh than I greet. Meaning, I would rather be ridiculed for not doing a thing, than do it and be sorry for it. Better your feet slip than your tongue. Between Martinmas and Yule, water's wine in every pool. Between the deil and the deer sea. Between two extremes equally dangerous. "I fell into Claverhouse's party when I was seeking for some o' our ain folk to help ye out o' the hands o' the whigs; sae, being atween the deil and the deep sea, I e'en thought it best to bring him on wi' me, for he'll be wearied wi' felling folk the night, and the morn's a new day."- Old Mortality. Between three and thirteen, thraw the woodie when it's green. Train the minds and principles of children when young. Between you and the lang day be'it. Be what ye seem and seem what ye are. Bid a man to a roast and stick him wi' the spit. Pretend to show kindness to a man while your intention is to injure him. Bide weel, betide weel. Wait well or patiently and you will fare well; or at least as well as those who are hasty. Biggin and bairns marrying are arrant wasters. "Building is a sweet impoverishing."-- Spanish. Bind the sack ere it be fou. Do not tax any person or thing to the utmost. Birds o' a feather flock thegither. Birk will burn be it burn drawn; sauch will sab if it were simmer sawn. Literally, wood will burn even if drawn through water, and the willow will droop if sown out of season. Figuratively, natural will and inclination will predominate and exhibit themselves, although submitted to the most antagonistic influences. Birth's gude but breeding's better. Bitter jests poison friendship. Black's my apron, and I'm aye washing 't. When a man has got a bad character, although he may endeavour to redeem it, he will find great difficulty in doing so. Black will tak nae ither hue. Blaw the wind ne'er sae fast, it will lown at the last. Blind horse rides hardy to the fecht. "Who so bold as blind Bayard ?"-- French. Blind men shouldna judge o' colours. Blue and better blue. "That is, there may be difference between things of the same kind and persons of the same station."-- Kelly. Blue's beauty, red's a taiken, green's grief, and yellow's forsaken. Examples of the "Poetry of colour." Blue is love true. Bluid's thicker than water. "'Weel, weel,' said Mr Jarvie, 'bluid's thicker than water; and it liesna in kith, kin, and ally, to see motes in ilk other's een if other een see them no.'"-- Rob Roy. Bode a robe and wear it, bode a pock and bear it. According as our aspirations are high or low, so do we succeed or fail. "As you make your bed, so you must lie on it." Bode for a silk gown and ye'll get a sleeve o't. That is, if we "bode" or earnestly wish for an article or result, we will get at least something approaching to it. An Aberdeenshire parallel to this is, "They never bodet a house o' gowd, but aye got a caber o't." Bode gude and get it Boden gear stinks. The theory of the fox and grapes. Bonnet aside! how sell you your maut? Bonny birds are aye the warst singers. Bonny sport, to fare weel and pay nothing for't. "Diogenes is said to have thought that the best wine which cost him nothing."-- Kelly. Bourdna wi' bawty lest he bite ye. Bourdna wi' my e'e nor wi' mine honour. Do not jest or trifle with subjects of delicacy character, &c. Bread and cheese is gude to eat when folk can get nae ither meat. Bread and milk is bairns' meat: I wish them sorrow that be it. Bread's house skail'd never. A full or hospitable house never wants visitors. Break my head and syne draw on my how. Breeding wives are aye beddie. Bridal feasts are soon forgotten. Broken bread maks batet bairns. Broken friendships may be souther'd, but never sound. Burnt bairns dread the fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 A drink precedes a story. Irish Proverb I like this one because it reminds us of how we need liquid to survive my dental hygienist told me that i'm not drinking enough. she is irish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest glasse Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Proverbs 21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife. Proverbs 27:15 A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chim Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 swedish proverbs The faults of others are the best teachers. Another's damage is soon forgotten. It's an easy burden that another carries. Work sweetens the sleep. Poverty and love are difficult to hide. The wails of heirs are halfway laughter. Envy is the companion of great success. The child's bottom and April weather are not to be trusted. Shoot the bear before you skin it. In a good book the best is between the lines. Manure and diligence makes the farmer rich. Bare is a brotherless behind. The burnt child shuns the fire. A quarrel between brothers costs soul and life. A brother's wrath is a devil's wrath. The stomach is filled earlier than the eye. Don't build bigger houses than you may set roofs on. Angry cats get scratched skin. From children and fools you hear the truth. What is unclearly said is unclearly thought. If there is room in the heart, there is room for the behind. The forbidden road is heavily worn. Hunger is the best seasoning. Easily caught, easily lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keltoi Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 here's my favourite... 90% of Inspiration is Perspiration A baby is an alimentary canal with a loud voice at one end and no responsibility at the other A bad custom is like a good cake, better broken than kept A bad excuse is better than none A bad penny always turns up A bad workman blames his tools A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain A barking dog never bites A best friend is like a four leaf clover, Hard to find and lucky to have A bird can sing with a broken wing, but you cant pluck feathers off a frog A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush A black plum is as sweet as a white A book holds a house of gold A book is like a garden carried in the pocket A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor A camel is a horse designed by a committee A cat has nine lives A cat may look at a king A cat may look at a Queen A celebrity is someone who works hard all his life to become known and then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized A chain is no stronger than its weakest link A change is as good as a rest A child is a person who can dismantle in 5 minutes the toy it took you 5 hours to put together A cold bitter Christmas, a fat churchyard A constant guest is never welcome A creaking door hangs longest A crowd is not company A danger foreseen is half avoided A day of sorrow is longer than a month of joy A Deaf Husband and a Blind Wife are Always a Happy Couple A diamond among men A dog who attends a flea circus most likely will steal the whole show A drop of ink may make a million think A drowning man will clutch at straws A fair exchange is no robbery A faithful friend is a medicine for life A fly will not get into a closed mouth A fool and his money are soon parted A fool at forty is a fool indeed A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions A fool gives; a wise man takes A Fool May Give a Wise Man Counsel A fool will laugh when he is drowning A friend in need is a friend indeed A friend is not so soon gotten as lost A friend to all is a friend to none A gentle heart is tied with an easy thread A gentleman without an estate is a pudding without suet A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath A golden key opens all doors A good beginning makes a good ending A good conscience is the best divinity A good denial, the best point in law A Good Example is the Best Sermon A good lawyer must be a great liar A good man is hard to find A good mate is the road map for the spaghetti junction of life A good name is better than a good face A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold A Good Tongue is a Good Weapon A good tree brings forth good fruit A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret A gossips mouth is the devils postbag A great dowry is a bed full of brambles A Growing Youth Has a Wolf in His Belly A guilty conscience needs no accuser A hairy man is a happy man, a hairy wife is a witch A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains A happy heart is better than a full purse A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones A heavy purse gives to a light heart A hedge between keeps friendship green A helping hand is no farther than at the end of your sleeve A house is not a home A huge part of real love is constant forgiveness A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step A lender nor borrower be A leopard cannot change its spots A little of what you fancy does you good A long way to go A man comes from the dust and in the dust he will end - and in the meantime it is good to drink a sip of vodka A man in love is a fool, and an old man in love is the greatest fool of all A man is at his tallest when he stoops to help a child A man is judged by his deeds, not by his words A man is known by the company he keeps A Man of Words and Not of Deeds is Like a Garden Full of Weeds A man that breaks his word bids other be false to him A man walks, God places the feet A miss is as good as a mile A miss is as good as a mr A new broom sweeps clean A new broom sweeps clean, but the old brush knows all the corners A nod is as good as a wink to a blind man A penny always turns up A person who can smile when things go wrong has found someone to blame it on A picture paints a thousand words A place for everything and everything in its place A positive pessimist is better than a negative optimist A problem is a chance for you to do your best A problem shared is a problem halved A proverb is a true word A proverb never lies, it is only its meaning which deceives A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day A reed before the wind lives on, while might oaks do fall A rolling stone gathers no moss A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops A scalded cat fears cold water A shining example A short absence quickens love, a long absence kills it A slap on the back is only a few inches away from a kick in the butt A slip of the tongue is no fault of the mind and he who laughs is very unkind A sly rabbit will have three openings to its den A Small Spark Makes a Great Fire A soft answer turneth away wrath A sprat to catch a mackerel A spy with flatulence will always blow his cover A squirrel is just a rat with good PR A stitch in time saves nine A tidy house holds a bored woman A volunteer is worth twenty pressed men A watched pot never boils A whistling women and a crowing hen are neither fit for God or men A wise head keeps a still tongue A wise son brings joy to his father,but a foolish son grief to his mother A wonder lasts but nine days A worry shared is a worry halved Aaah, a man who runs through airport swing-doors is going to Bangkok Abandon ship Absence makes the heart grow fonder Abundance, like want, ruins many Accidents happen Accidents will happen in the best regulated families Actions speak louder than words Admiration is the daughter of ignorance Adversity doesnt build character, it reveals it Adversity Makes Strange Bedfellows After a famine in the stall comes a famine in the hall After all is said and done, more is said than done After dark all cats are leopards After dinner rest a while, after supper walk a mile After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box After the storm comes the calm Age before beauty Age has no friend but the wrinkles of the mind Age is a very high price to pay for maturity Agree, For The Law is Costly All are not cooks that walk with long knives All beginning is difficult The first million is the hardest All good things come to he who waits All good things must come to an end All in good time All is for the best in the best of the possible worlds All lay loads on a willing horse! All over the place All roads lead to Rome All sunshine makes a desert All that glisters is not gold All the world loves a lover All things are possible with god All things come to those who wait All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy All you need is love Although the Sun May Shine, Leave Not Thy Cloak at Home Always the bridesmaid,never the bride An ant may well destroy a whole dam An apple a day An apple a day keeps the doctor at bay An apple a day keeps the doctor away An English Summer, Three Hot Days and a Thunderstorm An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth An old fox is not easily snared An old Ox makes a straight furrow An ounce of practice is worth a pound of precept Angry Men Make Themselves a Bed of Nettles Another day, another dollar Any fool can criticise, condemn and complain and most fools do Any port in a storm Anybody can make history Only a great man can write it Appearances are deceptive April is the cruellest month Art has no enemy but ignorance Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity As busy as a bee As delicate as a baby's eye lashes As dirty as a pig As dry as chapped lips As is the gardener, so is the garden As safe as houses As soft as velvet As strong as love As useful as a chocolate fireguard (or teapot) As wrinkled as an elephant's hide As you make your bed, so must you lie in it As you sow, so shall you reap Ask a silly question and you get a silly answer Ask no questions and hear no lies At the end of the game, the King and the pawn go back in the same box Attack is the best form of defence Back to the future Bad news travels fast Barking dogs seldom bite Be a good sport - wherever you go Be first at the feast, and last at the fight Be just before you are generous Be kind to people on the way up, you may need them when you are on your way down Beautiful is not what is beautiful, but what one likes Beauty and Honesty Seldom Agree Beauty is in the eye of the beholder Beauty is only skin deep Beauty without virtue is a flower without perfume Beer before wine is fine Wine before beer makes you feel queer! Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy Bees that have honey in their mouths have stings in their tails Before enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water; after enlightenment, I chopped wood and carried water. Beggars and borrowers cannot be choosers Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse Better an open enemy, than a false friend Better bend than break Better die with honor than live with shame Better do it than wish it done Better late than never Better one house spoiled than two Better safe than sorry Better to aim high and miss, than to aim low and reach target! Better to be alone than in bad company Better to be envied than pitied Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud Better to be safe than sorry Better to have loved and lost, than never have loved at all Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly Better to remain silent and appear a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt Better wed over the mixen than over the moor Beware of Greeks bearing gifts Big bad wolf Birds of a feather flock together Bitter pills may have blessed effects Blessings Are Not Valued Until They Are Gone Blethers say nought Blood is thicker than water Blue are the hills that are far away Books and friends should be few and good Borrowed Garments Never Fit Well Box of tricks Boxed in Boys will be boys Bread is the staff of life Broken in two Bus stop Business before pleasure Catch not at the shadow and lose the substance Centre parting Charity begins at home Charity covers a multitude of sins Cheats never prosper Children Have Wide Ears and Long Tongues Children should be seen and not heard Christmas comes but once a year Christmas comes but once a year, but Hallmark makes sure it lasts three months Civility costs nothing Cleanliness is next to Godliness Clothes make a man Coin a phrase Cold hands, warm heart Come out to play Common fame is seldom to blame Confession is good for the soul Confidence is a plant of slow growth Constant dripping wears away the stone Corporations have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned Count your blessings Cultivate money and you grow rich, Cultivate mind and you raise culture Curiosity killed the cat Curses, like chickens, come home to roost Cut your coat according to your cloth Daddies know best Danger can never be overcome without taking risks Dead men tell no tales Death is the great leveller Death pays all debts Desperate Diseases Call for Desperate Remedies Diamonds cut diamonds Different strokes for different folk Diligence is the mother of good fortune Discretion is the better part of valour Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow Distance lends enchantment to the view Distance makes the heart grow fonder Divide and rule Do as I say, and not as I do Do as you would be done by Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped Do not praise yourself while going into battle; praise yourself coming out of battle Do not search for a calf under an ox Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from a friends forehead Do not wear out your welcome Do right and fear no man Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you Don't answer back Don't talk back Dont count the days, make the days count! Dont make love at the garden gate, love is blind but the neighbours aint Dont teach your grandmother to suck eggs Doubt is the beginning not the end of wisdom Draw a line under Draw Not Your Bow Till the Arrow is Fixed Dream of a funeral and you hear of a marriage Due to the presence of fools, wise people stand out Dump husband in September, you have to get rid of the spiders Early to bed and early to rise, make a man healthy, wealthy and wise Easy come, easy go Easy peasy Eat well, stay fit, die anyway Empty sacks will never stand upright Enough is as good as a feast Even a clock that does not work is right twice a day Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief Every Ass Loves to Hear Himself Bray Every bird loves to hear himself sing Every body wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die Every cloud has a silver lining Every Cook Praises His Own Broth Every cross has its inscriptions Every devil has not a cloven hoof Every dog has his day Every family has a skeleton in the cupboard Every flow hath its ebb Every little helps Every man has his price Every picture tells a story Every Soldier has the Baton of a Field Marshal in his Knapsack Every step of life is a risk Everyday is a fresh slate Everyone stretches his legs according to the length of his coverlet Everything comes to him who waits Everything must have a beginning Everything under the sun Excess of ceremony shows want of breeding Experience is a great servant Experience is a wonderful thing It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again Experience is better bought than taught Experience is the best teacher Face to face Facts are stubborn things Faint heart never won fair lady Fair exchange is no robbery Fair without , false within Faith will move mountains Fall seven times, stand up eight Falling star Familiarity breeds contempt Fate leads the willing but drives the stubborn Fear lends wings Feed a cold starve a fever Fight fire with fire Fight truth decay, read the bible Finders keepers, losers weepers Fine feathers make fine birds Fine words butter no parsnips First come, first served First Impressions are the Most Lasting First in the queue First things first Fish and guests smell in three days Fish are no respectors of human boredom, so why go angling Flies Come to Feasts Unasked Flies never visit an egg that has no crack Fogiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the foot that crushed it Folly grows without watering Fools and madmen speak the truth Fools build houses, and wise men live in them Fools rush in where angels fear to tread Fools seldom differ Football is a game of two halves For better, for worse For instance For sale Forbidden fruits create many jams Forewarned is forearmed Forgive and forget Fortune favours the brave Four poster bed Four things drive a man out of his house: too much smoke, a dripping roof, filthy air and a scolding wife Friends are made by many acts - and lost by only one Friendship is like money,easier made than kept From clogs to clogs in only three generations From the sweetest wine the tartest vinegar Fruit out of season, sorrow out of reason Full of hope Genius is an Infinite Capacity for Taking Pains Gentle is that gentle does Get up and go Gie yer tongue mair holidays nor yer heid Give a clown a finger and he will take your hand Give and spend and God will send Give credit where credit is due Give Neither Counsel Nor Salt till You Are Asked For It Gluttony kills more than the sword Go along for the ride Go to heaven for the climate and hell for the company God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers God defend me from my friends; from my enemies I can defend myself God gives every bird its food, but does not always drop it into the nest God help the poor, for the rich can help themselves God helps those who help themselves God is alive and well and working on something less ambitious God is Always on the Side of the Big Battalions God made the country and man made the town! Golden dishes will never turn black Good and quickly seldom meet Good broth may be made in an old pot Good fences make good neighbours! Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget Good looking Good people are scarce Good talk saves the food Goodness is better than beauty Grease is the only cure for a hangover Great minds think alike Great minds think alike, simple minds cant think of anything different Great oaks from little acorns grow Greedy folks have long arms Grow your own dope - plant a man! Growing pains Gut No Fish Till You Get Them Half a loaf is better than no bread Handsome is as handsome does Happiness is not a state of mind, but a manner of travelling Happiness is wanting what you have - not having what you want Happy is the bride the sun shines on Hard work never did anyone any harm Haste makes waste Hasty climbers have sudden falls Hate is like cancer slowly eating us away inside Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs Have you ever noticed? anybody going slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac He is always right who suspects that he makes mistakes He is an ill companion that has a good memory He is at Ease Who Has Enough He Is Rich Enough That Wants Nothing He knows best what good is that has endured evil He Lives Long Who Lives Well He That Brings Good News Knocks Hard He that is master of himself, will soon be master of others He that knows nothing, doubts nothing He that plants a tree plants for posterity He that stays in the valley shall never get over the hill! He That Teaches Himself has a Fool for his Master He That Will Not Be Counselled Cannot Be Helped He travels fastest who travels alone He who awaits much receives little He who comes with a story to you will bring two away from you He who dares wins He who does not honour his wife dishonours himself He who drinks Australian Thinks Australian He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day He who flies high is a short step from a big fall He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin He who has once burnt his mouth always blows his soup He who hesitates is lost He who is ABSENT is always in the Wrong He Who Keeps Company with the Wolf Will Learn How to Howl He who knows better has never tried it He who laughs last laughs longest He who laughs last, thinks the slowest! He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword He who makes no mistakes, makes nothing He who pays the piper calls the tune He who plays with fire will get burnt He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon He who wants to do good, knocks at the gate, he who loves finds the gates open He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty Head for cover Head over heels Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned History repeats itself Hole in one Home is where the heart is Home is where you hang your hat Home sweet home Honesty is the best policy Hope springs eternal Hunger is the best sauce I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet I pointed out to you the stars and all you saw was the tip of my finger Idle people lack no excuses If a son is uneducated, his dad is to blame If anything can go wrong, it will If Fortune calls, offer him a seat If in doubt, mumble If life deals you lemons make lemonade If the Blind Lead the Blind, Both Shall Fall Into the Ditch If the cap fits, wear it If the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain If the wind will not serve, take to the oars If there were no lossers there could be no winners If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride If you are planning for a year - sow rice, if you are planning for a decade - sow trees, if you are planning for a lifetime - educate people If you believe everything you read, you better not read If you educate a man you educate an individual but if you educate a woman you educate a family If you get a good wife you will be happy, if you get a bad one you will become a philosopher If you get it overnight, you can lose it just as quick If you lie down with dogs you will come up with fleas If you want a place in the sun, you must leave the shade of the family tree If you wish to be loved, love If you would enjoy the fruit, pluck not the flower Ignorance is bliss Ill-gotten gains never prosper Imagination is the highest kite you can fly Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery In a battle between elephants, the ants get squashed In April,a youg mans thoughts turn to fancy! In black and white In for a penny, in for a pound In the coldest flint there is hot fire In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has In the land of hope there is never any winter In the Land of the Blind the One Eyed Man is King In vino veritas Inverted comma Is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice It is a long lane that has no turning It is a silly fish that is caught twice with the same bait It is better to love and lost than never to love at all It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive It is better to wear out than to rust out It is easier to get forgiveness than permission It is foolish to deal with a fool It is good to be knowledgeable, but better to be lovable It is good to have company in misery It is in vain to cast your net where there is no fish It is never too late to be what you might have been It is possible to give without loving but it is impossible to love without giving It is what is in the mind when sober, that comes out of the mouth when drunk It never rains but it pours It takes all sorts to make a world It takes one bad apple to spoil the barrel! It takes one day to destroy a house but to build a new one will take months, perhaps years It takes one to know one It takes two to make a quarrel It takes two to tango It will all come out in the wash It will all come right in the wash It's the thought that counts Its a dogs life Its a wise child that knows its own father Its only rock n roll but I like it Its too late to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted Jack of all trades, master of none Judge not that you be not judged Just between you and me Keep your chin up Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground Keep your friends close but your enemies closer Keep your powder dry Kill not the goose that lays the golden egg Kill two birds with one stone Kiss and make up Kiss and tell Know which side your bread is buttered Knowing is not enough; We must Apply Willing is not enough; We must Do Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone Laughter is the best medicine Laughter is the closest distance between two people Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth Lean liberty is better than fat slavery Lear from the past, Live for today Look for tomorrow, take a nap this afternoon Learn to say no It will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere Least said soonest mended Lend your money and lose your friend Let bygones be bygones Let sleeping dogs lie Let the buyer beware Life after death Life begins at forty Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved Life is beautiful Life is just a bowl of cherries Life is like a box of chocolates, sometimes hard, sometimes soft Life is like a drawing pin - sharp at one end, and flat at the other Life is like a good book, the more you get into it the more it makes sense Life is like a horse race there are winners and losers Life is not all beer and skittles Life is one long catwalk Lightning never strikes twice Lightning never strikes twice in the same place Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give Like father, like son Like flogging a dead horse Like music to my ears Like the measles, love is most dangerous when it comes late in life Line up in alphabetical order Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise Little and large Little Strokes Fell Great Oaks Little things please little minds Little white lie Live and learn Live and let live Live to the point of tears Long time no see Look after number one Look before you leap Look both ways Look good, feel good Look on the bright side Look the other way Lookers on see most of the game Lost in the post Lots of people confuse bad management with destiny Love conquers all Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thingLove is blind Love is like a fire, it can either warm your heart or burn your house down Love is the strangest thing Love laughs at the locksmiths Love makes the world go round Love many, trust few, but always paddle your own canoe Love nature , live lightly Love starts with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear Love thy neighbour as thy self Love will find a way Loving life is living life to the fullest Lucky at cards, unlucky in love Make hay while the sun shines Make love not war Man cannot live on bread alone Man in the moon Man who wants pretty nurse, must be patient Manners maketh man Many a mickle makes a muckle Many a true word is spoken in jest Many are called but few are chosen Many hands make light work Many people know how to say nothing; few know when Many things are lost for want of asking March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers Marry in haste, and repent at leisure Melt the icy fingers of fear with the sunshine of hope Men are from earth Women are from earth Deal with it Merry Nights Make Sorry Days Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places Might is right Mind your own business Mini-skirt Misery loves company Money is the root of all evil Money makes the world go around More haste less speed Mother knows best Motivation is what gets you started habit is what keeps you going Much too much Murder will out Necessity is the mother of invention Needs must when the devil drives Never be afraid to sit awhile and think Never choose bedlinen or a wife by candlelight Never eat an oyster unless there is an R in the month Never go to bed on an argument Never judge a book by its cover Never judge by appearences Never judge someone until you have travelled a mile in their shoes Never look a gift horse in the mouth Never make a mountain out of a molehill - The mountain will arrive soon enough Never murder a man who is committing suicide Never play leapfrog with a unicorn Never put off til tomorrow what you can do today Never put your tongue on an iceberg Never say die Never speak ill of the dead Never stand on the tail of a hedgehog after midnight Never the twain shall meet Never too old to learn Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you Night is the Mother of Counsel No Good Building Without a Good Foundation No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness No man is a hero to his valet No man is an island No man is wise at all times No matter how long a log stays in the water it does not become a crocodile No news is good news No one grows old by living; only by losing interest in living No one is expected to achieve the impossible No pain, no gain No wind, no waves None but the brave deserve the fair None but the wearer knows where the shoe pinches None so deaf as those who will not hear Not to know is bad; not to wish to know is worse Nothing is certain but death and taxes Nothing is interesting if you are not interested Nothing seems expensive on credit Nothing succeeds like success Nothing that is worth knowing can be taught Nothing to worry about Nothing ventured, nothing gained Nowt so queer as folk! Old fish and young flesh feed men best Old friends and wine are best Old habits die hard Old sins cast long shadows On cloud nine On second thoughts On the crest of a wave On the Turf all men are equal, and under it Once a word leaves your mouth, you cannot chase it back even with the swiftest horse Once bitten twice shy Once in a blue moon Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale Once seen never forgotten One beats the bush, another takes the bird One cannot quarrel without an opponent One foolish sheep will lead the flock One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold seven for a secret not to be sold Eight for heaven nine for hell and ten for the devils own cell One good turn deserves another One good turn deserves half the blankets One in a million One mans loss is another mans gain One mans meat is another mans poison! One of these days is none of these days One thing after another One volunteer is worth ten pressed men One who has the reputation of an early riser may safely lie in bed until noon One years seeding means seven years weeding Only fools and horses work Only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun Only time will tell Only when all contribute their firewood can they build up a strong fire Opportunities always look bigger going than coming Opportunity makes a thief Opportunity seldom knocks twice Out of sight, out of mind Out of the blue Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings Over the moon Pain in the neck Pain is so close to pleasure Pain is temporary, victory is forever Pardon all but theyself Past cure, past care Patience is a virtue Patience is bitter, but it bears sweet fruit Penny wise, pound foolish People who think the world revolves around them have no sense of direction Perfection is inperfect Pick your friends like you pick your fruit Plant the crab tree where you will, it will never bear pippins Play with fire Poor men seek meat for their stomach; rich men stomach for their meat Possessions dwindle; I mourn their loss But I mourn the loss of time much more, for anyone can save his purse, but none can win back lost time Possessions dwindle; I mourn their loss But I mourn the loss of time much more, for anyone can save his purse, but none can win back lost time Practice makes perfect Practice what you preach Pretty as a picture Prevention is better than cure Pride comes before a fall Procrastination is the thief of time Promises are like babies Easy to make, hard to deliver Put the cat out Quality is an excuse for lack of quantity Quality is better than quantity Quickly come, quickly go Rain before seven, fine before eleven Rain, Rain, go away, come back another day Rained on ground hardens (Japanese Proverb) Rats desert a sinking ship Reading between the lines Red in the face Red sky at night Red sky at night shepherds delight,red sky in the morning,shepherds warning Red, white and blue Revenge is a dish best served cold Revenge is sweet Right between the eyes Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people Robbing Peter to pay Paul Saying is one thing; doing another Second place is first loser See Naples and die Seeing is believing Seldom seen, soon forgotten Seven-fifths of all people do not understand fractions Sex takes up the least amount of time and causes the most amount of trouble Share and share alike! Shopping is a therapy Shut up and sit down Sign on the dotted line Silence is golden Silence is the fence around wisdom Sinking ship Size matters Sleep is better than medicine Small talk Small time crook Smile and the world smiles with you, snore and you sleep alone Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors So long as you do your best in life, whatever happens will be for the best Softly, softly, catchee monkey Some are Wise and Some are Otherwise Some are wise and some are otherwise Sometimes the majority only means all the fools are on the same side Spare the rod and spoil the child Speak when you are spoken to Split second timing Spots before the eyes St Swithins Day, if thou does rain, for forty days it will remain, St Swithins day if thou be fair for forty days twill rain no more Star turn Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me Still waters run deep Stir With a Knife, Stir Up Strife Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both Strangers are just friends you have not met yet Strike while the iron is hot Success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan Sugar cube Sunlight penetrates even the thinnest crack Sweetheart Swim in the sea Sympathy without relief is like mustard without beef Tailors and writers must mind the fashion Take a hair of the dog that bit you Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves Take heed of reconciled enemies and of meat twice boiled Take your time and time will take you Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice inside the ceiling laugh Talk is cheap Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself Teaching of others teacheth the teacher The Absent are Always Wrong The Ass Loaded With Gold Still Eats Thistles The best advice is found on the pillow The best doctors are Dr Diet, Dr Quiet and Dr Merryman The Best Fish Swim Near the Bottom The best is yet to come The best of men are but men at best The best things come in small packages The best things in life are free The best throw of the dice is to throw them away The Best Wine Comes Out of an Old Vessel The bigger they are, the harder they fall The birds and the bees The cobra will bite you whether you call it cobra or Mr Cobra The company makes the feast The country is in ruins, and there are still mountains and rivers - japanese proverb The course of true love never did run smooth The darkest hour is just before dawn The devil find work for idle hands to do The Devil goes shares in gaming The Devil rides upon a fiddlestick The devil tempts all, but the idle man tempts the devil The difficult we do at once, the impossible takes a little longer The early bird catches the worm The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese The early worm enjoys a leisurely breakfast The end justifies the means The eyes are the window of the soul The eyes speak as much as the mouth The faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory The Fairest Rose at Last is Withered The Family That Prays Together Stays Together The female of the species is more deadly than the male The first faults are theirs that commit them, the second theirs that permit them The first step is the hardest The fish will soon be caught, that nibbles at every bait The fruit does not fall far from the tree. The Gods Send Nuts to those who have no Teeth The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world The higher the monkey climbs, the more he shows his tail The higher the tree, the sweeter the plum The higher you climb up the ladder, the more people can see your arse The horses of hope gallop, but the asses of experience go slowly The King can make a knight, but not a gentleman The last drop makes the cup run over The longest day must have an end The longest rope has an end The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones The Mills of God Grind Slowly, Yet They Grind Exceedingly Small The Moon does not heed the barking of dogs The more one knows, the less one believes The more the merrier The more you get, the more you want The most beautiful women are made for lovers who lack imagination The nearer the bone the sweeter the meat The nearer to the church, the farther from God The old believe everything, the middle aged suspect everything, the young know everything The One who tells the stories rules the world The pen is mightier than the sword The pot calls the kettle black The price of greatness is responsibility The price of liberty is eternal vigilance The proof of the pudding is in the eating The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him The road to hell is paved with good intentions The rotten apple injures its neighbours The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak The stick is the surest peacemaker The tide never goes out so far but it always comes in again The tongue ever turns to the aching tooth The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit The trouble with experience is that by the time you have it, you are too old to take advantage of it The truth will out The West Wind Always Brings Wet Weather, The East Wind Wet and Cold Together, the South Wind Surely Brings Us Rain, the North Wind Blows It Back Again The world is full of willing people: some willing to work and some willing to let them The young man thinks the old mans stupid but the old man KNOWS the young man is There are always ears on the other side of the wall There Are No Atheists in Foxholes There are none so blind as those that will not see There are two sides to every question There but for the grace of God go I There is a skeleton in every cupboard There is a time and a place for everything There is a time to speak and a time to be silent There is always some madness in love But there is also always some reason in madness There is always somebody worst of then yourself no matter how bad things seem There is an exception to every rule There is more than one way to skin a cat There is no accounting for taste There is no difference between a wise man and a fool when they fall in love There is no jollity but hath a smack of folly There is no physician like a true friend There is no such thing as a free lunch There is no time like the present There is safety in numbers There will be rubs in the smoothest road They Brag Most That Can Do the Least They that dance must pay the fiddler They that walk much in the sun will be tanned at last Things can only get better Things that come to those who wait may be things left by those who got there first Think before you speak Think Much, Speak Little and Write Less Third time lucky Those who cast the votes decide nothing Those who count the votes decide everything Those who play the game do not see it as clearly as those who watch Though the wound be healed, a scar remains Three wise men Time and tide wait for no man Time is a great healer Time to spare Time waits for nobody Tis better to get things for free, than to work up a sweat To deceive oneself is very easy To err is human, to forgive divine To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart To have is to hold and to hold is to have To know the road ahead, ask those coming back To many people in a dustbin means there not much room in side To say that a man cannot love one woman at a time is ridiculous It is like saying a musician needs more than one violin to play the same piece of music To the jaundiced eye all things look yellow To the victor the spoils To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world To thine own self be true To whom God gives, to him also the people give Tomorrow never comes Too funny for words Too many chiefs and not enough indians Too many clicks spoil the browse Too many cooks spoil the broth Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it True blue will never stain True love is like a teardrop in Niagra falls True love never grows old Trust is the mother of deceit Try praying Nothing pleses God more than to hear a strange voice Turn the other cheek Two Dogs Fight for a Bone, and a Third Runs Away With it Two fools in a house are too many Two heads are better than one Two peas in a pod Two things a man should never be angry at: what he can help and what he cannot help Two wrongs do not make a right Two wrongs may not make a right but three rights make a left Under the thorn grow the roses United we stand, divided we fall Unkissed, unkind Up to a point Use it or lose it Use soft words and hard arguments Variety is the spice of life Virtue is its own reward Virtues all agree, but vices fight one another Visit your aunt, but not every day of the year Wait and see Walk before you can run Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 this thread has helped me decide what to have for tea... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perunamuusi Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 at least i typed mine out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Adjective Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 These have always stuck with me: "If it sticks it stays" -Hypothetical Donna potty training "I don't check pockets, I don't check pockets" -Donna doing laundry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.