Proverbs and what they mean

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Search by a word in the proverb or by its point. “Patience” turns up the proverbs about waiting, whether or not the word appears in them.

200 familiar proverbs

Chosen by how much attention they have had from Wiktionary's editors, then sorted alphabetically.

a bad workman always blames his tools

It is not the tools we use that make us good, but rather how we employ them.

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

A sure thing is preferable to the mere chance at something more.

a burnt child dreads the fire dated

A person harmed by something becomes more cautious about it.

a chain is only as strong as its weakest link

An organization is only as strong or powerful as its weakest person; a group of associates is only as competent as its laziest member.

a friend in need is a friend indeed

If a friend helps one when one is in need, that person is a true friend.

a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point.

a leopard cannot change its spots

One cannot change one's own nature.

a lie has no legs

One cannot get away with a lie.

a man is known by the company he keeps

People are similar in character to their friends.

a new broom sweeps clean

New management will often make radical changes.

a picture is worth a thousand words

A visualisation is a better description than a verbal description.

a rolling stone gathers no moss

A person who never settles in one place will never be successful.

a stitch in time saves nine

A little effort expended sooner to fix a small problem prevents it from becoming a larger problem requiring more effort to fix later.

absence makes the heart grow fonder

One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.

actions speak louder than words

It is more effective to act directly than to speak of action.

all cats are grey in the dark

Under some circumstances, individual distinctions are not relevant.

all good things come to an end

Nothing good lasts forever.

all roads lead to Rome

Different paths can take one to the same goal.

all that glitters is not gold

Things that appear valuable or worthwhile might not actually be so; things that appear nice might not be as good as they appear.

all the world's a stage

People have roles to play in life just as actors do in the theatre.

all's fair in love and war

Unpleasant behavior is acceptable during love and conflict.

all's well that ends well

A happy ending makes up for everything that has happened before.

an apple a day keeps the doctor away

Apples are healthy and stave off illnesses.

an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth

compensation for injury caused by a person, in the form of inflicting of an identical injury on that person.

any port in a storm

One should accept any passable option when time is of the essence in an adverse situation.

appearances are deceptive

It is not possible to judge a person's character from their outward appearance.

as you make your bed, so you must lie in it

One will carry negative consequences of one's previous action(s).

as you sow, so shall you reap

The consequences of one's actions to oneself are in proportion to one's good or bad intentions towards others.

attack is the best form of defence British

In a battle or dispute, attacking the opposition first is better than waiting for them to attack.

barking dogs seldom bite

People who make threats rarely carry them out.

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Different people have different views on what is beautiful; beauty is subjective.

beggars can't be choosers

Something is better than nothing: those who can't provide for themselves should accept whatever help is available.

behind every successful man there stands a woman

A man’s achievements are made possible by the support and work of their wife or female partner.

better late than never

It is better to do something late, than to never do it at all.

better safe than sorry

It is preferable to be cautious in one's choices and actions than to act recklessly and suffer afterwards.

better the devil you know than the devil you don't know

Something bad and familiar is better than something bad and unknown.

birds of a feather flock together

People of similar character, background or taste tend to congregate or associate with one another; it is easier to establish friendships with people that one has a lot in common with.

blood is thicker than water

Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.

brevity is the soul of wit

Conciseness of expression is an essential characteristic of astute, perceptive, or witty remarks.

business before pleasure

Discharging one's obligations must take precedence over devoting time to pursuits meant solely for one's own gratification.

carpe diem

Enjoy the present, make the most of today, (common mistranslation) seize the day.

clothes don't make the man

One cannot accurately judge a person solely by their appearance.

crime doesn't pay

If you commit a crime you will most likely be punished for it.

curiosity killed the cat

One should not be curious about things that can be dangerous.

dead men tell no tales

A dead person can no longer reveal information, especially information which others wish to keep secret.

desperate times call for desperate measures

In adverse circumstances, actions that might have been rejected under other circumstances may become the best choice.

do as I say and not as I do

Do not imitate my behavior but obey my instructions.

do unto others as you would have them do unto you

One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself; an expression of the golden rule.

don't count your chickens before they're hatched

One should not depend upon a favorable (and typically overoptimistic) outcome to one's plans until it is certain to occur.

don't look a gift horse in the mouth

One should not unappreciatively question or inspect a gift too closely.

don't shoot the messenger

The bearer of bad news should not be held accountable for it.

don't try to teach grandma how to suck eggs

Don't presume to give advice to those who are more experienced.

e pluribus unum

"out of many, one" or "from many, one" (alternatively translated as "one out of many" or "one from many”)

empty vessels make the most sound

Talkative, opinionated people are often ignorant.

even Homer nods

Even the most vigilant and expert are fallible.

every cloud has a silver lining

There is something good in any bad situation.

every dog has its day

Everyone, at some point, experiences some degree of victory or success in life.

every Jack has his Jill

Everybody will eventually find a romantic partner.

every little helps British

Even small contributions towards a goal help bring the goal nearer.

everything happens for a reason

Used for consolation, possibly self-consolation, after someone has experienced something unfavorable or unpleasant, and hence an encouragement to make the best of the situation.

experience is the best teacher

Lessons learned from experience are the most lasting.

familiarity breeds contempt

A prolonged closeness or exposure or a profound knowledge of someone or something often leads to diminished respect or appreciation.

finders, keepers

Whoever finds something is allowed to keep it.

forbidden fruit is the sweetest

Forbidden things seem more appealing; people desire things more if (or, in some way, because) they can't have them.

forewarned is forearmed

Advance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it.

fortune favors the bold

Luck is usually on the side of those who take chances and risks.

give them an inch and they'll take a mile

Granting someone a limited concession will encourage them to take greater liberties.

God helps those who help themselves

Good fortune or providential aid comes to those who make an effort to accomplish things.

good things come to those who wait

A patient seeker will be satisfied in due time.

grasp all, lose all

One who wants everything may lose it all.

great minds think alike

Used to remark upon the fact that someone else has had the same thought or idea as you, implying that both of you are clever or astute.

half a loaf is better than none

Something is better than nothing: some reward, achievement, result, etc. is preferable to none at all.

haste makes waste

Being too hasty leads to wasteful mistakes.

he who digs a pit for others falls in himself

Someone that plans harm or misfortune for others may also inadvertently be the recipient of that same misfortune.

he who laughs last laughs best

Success is enjoyed more after having previously endured ridicule.

he who smelt it dealt it informal

A person who calls attention to or complains about a flatus is likely trying to pretend it wasn't their own.

heaven helps those who help themselves

A maxim encouraging people to attempt to solve their own problems.

hindsight is 20/20

In hindsight things are obvious that were not obvious from the outset; one is able to evaluate past choices more clearly than at the time of the choice.

history repeats itself

Things that have happened in the past will or tend to happen again in one way or another.

honesty is the best policy

Honesty is preferable as a course of action because it tends to work out best in the end.

hope springs eternal

The feeling of hopefulness endlessly renews itself.

hunger is a good sauce dated

Being hungry makes one less concerned about the taste of one's food.

idle hands are the devil's workshop

One who is idle will likely come to do evil.

if it ain't broke, don't fix it

It is wise to leave something alone and to avoid attempting to correct, fix, or improve what is already sufficient (often with an implication that is the attempted improvement is risky and might backfire).

if the mountain won't come to Muhammad

If something one wishes to be done cannot be commanded to be done, one must find another way to achieve one's goal.

if the shoe fits, wear it

If a description fits, it is probably the case; if an insult accurately describes you, you must bear it; if you take offence at an insult that was only implicitly directed at you, you admit the insult is true enough to…

if you can't beat them, join them

If one's adversaries are stronger, it is better to join their side.

ignorance is bliss

A lack of knowledge or awareness about certain facts or situations results in happiness or reduced anxiety.

in for a penny, in for a pound British

Expressing that, having begun something (that involves significant risk or effort), one intends to see it to completion rather than stopping short.

in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king

Even someone with limited abilities or opportunities is dominant over, and considered special by, those who have even fewer abilities and opportunities; the value of any ability depends on its prevalence.

in wine, there is truth

Statements made or expressed under the influence of alcohol reveal true beliefs that are not expressed when sober.

it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings

There are more developments yet to come; one should not presume to know the outcome of an event which is still in progress.

it never rains but it pours

Unfortunate events occur in quantity.

it takes two to tango

Some things need the active cooperation of two parties; blame is to be laid on both parties in a conflict.

it's the thought that counts

When giving someone a present or doing a favour for someone, the kindness behind the act is more important than any other consideration.

justice delayed is justice denied

If a wrong is not redressed within a reasonable time, it is as though the wrong were not redressed at all.

know thyself

Be aware of your own strengths and limitations.

knowledge is power

Scientia potentia est; with knowledge and/or education, one's potential or ability to succeed in the pursuit of one's objectives will certainly increase.

like father, like son

A son takes after his father.

like mother, like daughter

A daughter takes after her mother.

live by the sword, die by the sword

One who uses violence can expect a violent response; it is better to try to use peaceful means wherever possible.

long absent, soon forgotten

Love fades away when people are distant and do not maintain close physical contact.

love is blind

A person who is in love can see no faults or imperfections in the person whom they love.

man proposes, God disposes

Things do not always work out as they are planned.

many a mickle makes a muckle Scottish

A lot of small amounts, put together, become a large amount.

many hands make light work

A large number of people cooperating can perform tasks easily.

might makes right

What is right or wrong is determined by power and strength; power justifies itself.

money does not smell

The value of money is not affected by the business it comes from, even from the most unpleasant one.

money doesn't grow on trees

Wealth cannot be obtained without some effort; hence currency is not always available for a prospective purchase.

money talks

Money or moneyed interests have power.

more haste, less speed

When one is in a hurry, one often ends up having less success and completing a task more slowly.

ne'er cast a clout till May be out British, dialect

Do not change from winter clothes to summer clothes until June, as there is often a sudden cold snap in May.

necessity is the mother of invention

The primary driving force for most new inventions is a need.

never put off until tomorrow what you can do today

Do not procrastinate whatever that can be done today until tomorrow.

no good deed goes unpunished

Actions of generosity often go unappreciated or are met with outright hostility or demands for further work.

no news is good news

A lack of information reported about a situation suggests that nothing unfortunate has occurred.

no pain, no gain

One must be willing to endure some inconvenience or discomfort (e.g., hard work, risk, or both) in order to achieve worthwhile goals.

no smoke without fire

Gossip and accusations are often substantiated by fact.

old habits die hard

Established habits are difficult to change.

once bitten, twice shy

One is cautious if one has been hurt in the past.

one swallow does not a summer make

One instance of an event (such as the arrival of a single bird) does not necessarily indicate a trend.

out of sight, out of mind

When something is not nearby, it is forgotten about.

patience is a virtue

It is better to be patient than impatient.

people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones

One should not criticize others if one has similar weaknesses.

physician, heal thyself

One should attend to one's own flaws or defects before presuming to advise others about theirs.

practice makes perfect

If one practices an activity enough, one will eventually master it.

prevention is better than cure

It is better to prevent the creation of a problem than to have to deal with it afterwards.

pride comes before a fall

A person who is excessively proud will often suffer a setback or failure.

revenge is a dish best served cold

Revenge should not be rushed, because it must be calculated coolly or because it is most satisfying when delayed.

Rome wasn't built in a day

It takes a long time to create something complicated or impressive.

see Naples and die

One can die at peace after having seen Naples, Italy, nothing else on Earth surpassing its beauty.

seeing is believing

One needs to see something in order to believe it; visible facts cannot be denied.

silence is golden

Peace and quiet have great value.

sow the wind, reap the whirlwind

Every decision has consequences; a person's actions will come back to them; if one starts trouble or takes actions in spite of the discontent they cause, one will incur negative consequences.

spare the rod and spoil the child

If one does not discipline a child, they will never learn obedience and good manners.

speech is silver, silence is golden

Not saying anything is often better than speaking too much or saying something inappropriate.

still waters run deep

A person with a calm appearance has, or may have, considerable inner emotion, character, or intellect.

sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof

There is no need to worry about the future; the present provides enough to worry about.

talk is cheap

It is easy to make boastful or unrealistic statements which are not supported by actions or evidence.

the apple does not fall far from the tree

A child grows up to be similar to its parents, both in behavior and in physical characteristics.

the chickens come home to roost

A person's past wrongdoings will return to negatively affect them.

the customer is always right

Service staff should give high priority to customer satisfaction.

the devil is in the details

The specific provisions of, or particular steps for implementing, a general plan, policy, or contract may be complicated, controversial, or unworkable.

the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on

History (or progress) moves ahead, no matter the criticism it may attract.

the early bird gets the worm

Whoever arrives first has the best chance of success; some opportunities are available only to the first competitors.

the end justifies the means

Morally wrong actions are sometimes necessary to achieve morally right outcomes; actions can be considered morally right or wrong only by virtue of the morality of the outcome.

the enemy of my enemy is my friend

It is sometimes necessary to cooperate with a person one does not like or agree with, in order to combat a common threat.

the fish rots from the head

Bad leaders harm an organization.

the grass is always greener on the other side

The circumstances of others seem more desirable than one's own but in reality often are not.

the more the merrier

Something is more fun with more people.

the pen is mightier than the sword

More influence and power can be usurped by writing than by fighting.

the proof of the pudding is in the eating

One can only claim that something is a success after it has been tried out or used.

the road to hell is paved with good intentions

Well-intended acts can potentially lead to disasters.

the shoemaker's children go barefoot

One often neglects those closest to oneself; a tradesman may ironically neglect or postpone his own home's need for his trade's services.

the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak

As much as one wishes to achieve something, the frailties of the human body often make it impossible. Sometimes extended to jocular or organizational referents.

the squeaky wheel gets the grease

The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which they seek.

the way to a man's heart is through his stomach

Cooking food for a man is a good way to win his affections.

the wolf may lose his teeth but never his nature

One cannot change one's nature, no matter how much time passes.

the world is someone's oyster

All opportunities are open to someone; the world is theirs.

there are plenty of fish in the sea

There are many more potential opportunities available.

there is an exception to every rule

Usually said in a situation when the rule is incorrect and unusable.

there is nothing new under the sun

There is nothing truly novel in existence; every new idea has some sort of precedent or echo from the past.

there's many a slip twixt cup and lip dated

In any situation, however well planned, something can always go wrong.

there's no accounting for taste

In subjective matters of taste, people have wildly different opinions; disagreements about matters of taste cannot be objectively resolved.

there's no fool like an old fool

If a person does not develop wisdom with age, then their foolishness is all the more obvious and shameful.

there's no place like home

One feels most comfortable at home.

third time is the charm American

One is sure to succeed at a task or event on the third try.

time and tide wait for no man

Opportunities will not wait; action should be undertaken without delay.

time heals all wounds

Negative feelings eventually fade away.

time is money

Money is wasted (in lost wages, missed opportunities, etc.) when a person's time is not used productively; time is valuable and should not be wasted.

to each his own

Every person is entitled to their personal preferences and tastes.

to err is human

Everyone makes mistakes.

to thine own self be true

Be yourself; be true to yourself; do not engage in self-deception.

tomorrow is another day

Tomorrow will bring new opportunities and a fresh start for one's endeavors.

too many cooks spoil the broth

If too many people participate in a task, especially in a leading role, the task will not be done very well.

two heads are better than one

Some tasks may be accomplished more easily by two (or more) people working together than by one working alone.

unity is strength

Being united makes people stronger.

variety is the spice of life

Variety is what makes life interesting.

walls have ears

There is always a risk of being overheard, so one should be careful about what one says.

well begun is half done

Much depends on the beginning of an endeavor.

what doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Hardship builds moral character.

what goes around comes around

A person's actions, whether good or bad, will often have consequences for that person.

what's done is done

Events that have already taken place cannot be changed and actions that have already been committed cannot be undone, so it is best not to dwell on them.

what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander

If something is acceptable for one person, it is acceptable for another (often of the opposite gender).

when in Rome, do as the Romans do

When situated in a foreign place, it is wise to follow the local customs.

when life gives you lemons, make lemonade

You should always make the best out of difficult situations.

when the cat's away the mice will play

In the absence of a controlling entity, subordinates will take advantage of circumstances.

where there is a will there is a way

If someone wants or wills something strongly enough, a way can be found to make it happen.

where there's smoke, there's fire American, Australian, British, Canadian, New Zealand

If there is a hint of something occurring, it is probably true, although such rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.

you are what you eat

Personal health and wellbeing is determined by one's eating habits, in both positive and negative ways.

you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink

You can show someone how to do something, but you can't make them do it.

you can't judge a book by its cover

It is not possible to make reliable judgments about things or people by considering external appearances alone.

you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear

It is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value.

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

In order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that some mistakes are made or some sacrifices must occur.

you can't teach an old dog new tricks

It is impossible to change people's habits, traits, or mindset.

you don't get something for nothing

One cannot expect to receive some benefit if one does not pay for it in some way or does not face a counterbalancing hazard or harm.

you get what you pay for informal

In commercial transactions, the prices increase, as the quality of goods and services increases, i.e., the more one pays, the higher-quality the merchandise.

you only go around once

A person has only one lifetime, and should therefore take every opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of experiences in order to maximize their achievements and satisfaction.

you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours

If you do me a favor then I will do you a favor; quid pro quo.

you're never too old to learn

It is possible to learn new things at any age; one should follow one's desires and dreams.

Proverbs as characterization

Who quotes proverbs, and which ones, says a great deal. A grandmother who answers everything with a saying, a con man who bends one to his purpose, and a teenager who mangles one on purpose are three different people before they say anything else.