Proverbs

1. "Two wrongs don't make a right." - When someone has done something bad to you,
trying to get revenge will only make things worse.
2. "The pen is mightier than the sword." - Trying to convince people with ideas and
words is more effective than trying to force people to do what you want.
3. "When in Rome, do as the Romans." - Act the way that the people around you are
acting. This phrase might come in handy when you're traveling abroad notice that people
do things differently than you're used to.
4. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." - You can get better service if you complain
about something. If you wait patiently, no one's going to help you.
5. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." - When a situation is difficult or
dangerous, strong people work harder to resolve the problem.
6. “Many hands make light work” - A lot of people helping makes a job easier
7. “When it rains it pours” - When there is one problem, often many follow
8. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” - It is unwise to put all your energy into one
thing
9. “The early bird catches the worm” - Being early is a good thing
10. “People in glasshouses shouldn’t throw stones” - It is dangerous to criticise others if
you are not perfect yourself
11. “Where there is smoke there is fire” - Rumours are usually based on truth
12. “Too many cooks spoil the broth” - Too many people working on one job can be a bad
thing
13. “Kill two birds with one stone” - Doing two things at the same time is an excellent way
to save time
14. “One man’s meat is another mans poison” - What is good for one person may be bad
for another
15. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” - You should be pleased and appreciate what is
offered to you
16. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” - If you spend time away from someone you
love, you will love them even more. In other words, you realize how much you love
something when you are spend time away from it.
17. “There is more than one way to skin a cat” - There is more than one way to solve a
problem. In other words, if one solution doesn't work, try to find another way to solve the
problem
18. “You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink” - You can tell somebody
what the best thing to do is, but you can't make them do it. In other words, even if you
give somebody good advice, they might not follow it.
19. “What doesn't kill you makes you stronger” - People become tougher and wiser by
facing hardships. For example, if someone cheats you out of money, the experience will
make you wiser so that you
20. “Necessity is the mother of invention” - If you really need to do something you will
find a way. In other words, people can be very creative when they have to be.
21. “The apple doesn't fall far from the tree” - Children grow up to be similar to their
parents. For example, if the parents are bad then the child will be bad as well.
22. “Don't count your chickens before they hatch” - Don't rely on something that hasn't
happened yet. For example, you shouldn't spend money that you haven't earned yet
23. “That's the pot calling the kettle black” - You shouldn't criticize other people's faults if
you have those same faults. For example, if you are lazy you shouldn't complain when
other people are lazy
24. “Every cloud has a silver lining” - There is a positive side to every bad situation. In
other words, bad things also produce some good.
25. “A leopard cannot change its spots” - People cannot change their personality or nature.
For example, if someone is bad then they will always be bad (so don't believe people
who say they've changed.
26. “You shouldn't judge a book by its cover” - Outward appearances can be deceiving. In
other words, you should look at something closely before deciding if it is good or bad.
27. “Look before you leap” - You should carefully plan things before you do anything. In
other words, don't be hasty because If you act rashly, you might get hurt.
28. “Too many cooks spoil the broth” - If too many people are managing something, it will
fail. In other words, it's better to have one person directing a project than many people.
29. ‘Advice is least heeded when most needed’ - When a problem is serious, people often do
not follow the advice given.
30. ‘An empty purse frightens away friends’ - When one's financial situation deteriorates,
friends tend to disappear.
31. ‘Anger is the one thing made better by delay’ - When you are angry, it is best not to
speak or act immediately. ‘A burnt child dreads the fire’ - A bad experience will make
people stay away from certain things.
32. “All that glitters is not gold” – Appearance can be deceptive
33. “Bad news travels fast” - bad news nearly always reaches as more quickly than good
news
34. “Someboady’s bark is worse than his/her bite” - although someone says things
that sound frightening, the person's actions will not be as severe as the things that were
said
35. “Be cruel to be kind” -
36. “Beggars can’t be choosers” - people with no other options must be content with what
is offered
37. “Better safe than sorry” - it's wiser to be cautious and careful than to be hasty or rash
and so do something you may later regret
38. “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush” - It is better to have an advantage or
opportunity that is certain than having one that is worth more but is not so certain
39. “Birds of a feather flock together” - people of the same sort or with the same tastes and
interests will be found together.
40. “Blood is thicker than water” - family relationships and loyalties are the strongest and
most important ones
41. “Charity begins at home” - a person's first responsibility is for the needs of their own
family and friends
42. “Coming events cast their shadow before” –
43. “The dye is cast” - The decision has been made and it can’t be changed
44. “Easy come, easy go” – Anything acquired immorally can go also easily
45. “Hard work never hurts anybody”
46. “No man is an island” – One can’t live in isolation