 | African
If you do not have patience you cannot make beer. - African (Ovambo) Proverb
Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. - African Proverb
The country rooster does not crow in the town. - African (Swahili) Proverb
When you see a palm tree, the palm tree has seen you. - African (Wolof) Proverb
When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. - African Proverb
There is not enough room for two elephants to sit in the same shade. -
African (Ovambo) Proverb
|
 | American
If you can't lick 'em, join 'em. - American Proverb
Fish or cut bait. - American Proverb
Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you. - American Proverb
A tree never hits an automobile except in self defense. - American Proverb
|
 | Arab
Never give advice in a crowd. - Arab Proverb
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. - Arab Proverb
Dwell not upon thy weariness, thy strength shall be according to the measure of thy desire. - Arab
Proverb
The sinning is the best part of repentance. - Arab Proverb
An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. - Arab Proverb
He who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has everything. - Arab Proverb
All sunshine makes the desert. - Arab Proverb
Ask the experienced rather than the learned. - Arabic proverb
He who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has everything. - Arab Proverb
Live together like brothers and do business like strangers. - Arab Proverb
|
 | Ashanti
One cannot both feast and become rich. - Ashanti Proverb
|
 | Australian Aboriginal
Those who lose dreaming are lost. - Australian Aboriginal Proverb
|
 | Balinese
Goodness shouts. Evil whispers. - Balinese Proverb
|
 | Belgian
Experience is the comb that nature gives us when we are bald. - Belgian proverb
|
 | Biblical
Don't run too far, you will have to return the same distance. - Biblical Proverb
Let no man deceive you with vain words. - Biblical Proverb
Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee. - Biblical Proverb
|
 | Chinese
Blood debts must be
repaid in blood. - Chinese Proverb
If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow. - Chinese Proverb
If you see in your wine the reflection of a person not in your range of vision, don't drink it. - Chinese Proverb
One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb
Happiness is like a sunbeam, which the least shadow intercepts, while adversity is often as the rain of spring. - Chinese Proverb
If you must play, decide on three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time. - Chinese proverb
Listen to all, plucking a feather from every passing goose, but, follow no one absolutely. - Chinese Proverb
Nature, time and patience are the three great physicians. - Chinese Proverb
Behind an able man there are always other able men. - Chinese Proverb
If you suspect a man, don't employ him, and if you employ him, don't suspect him. - Chinese Proverb
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. - Chinese Proverb
The palest ink is better than the best memory. - Chinese Proverb
Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness - Chinese Proverb
If you bow at all, bow low. - Chinese Proverb
A single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study. - Chinese Proverb
Use power to curb power. - Chinese Proverb
Rats know the way of rats. - Chinese Proverb
The thousand mile journey begins with a single step. - Chinese Proverb
When you want to test the depths of a stream, don't use both feet. - Chinese Proverb
With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown. - Chinese Proverb
To know the road ahead, ask those coming back. - Chinese Proverb
To attract good fortune, spend a new coin on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend, and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon. - Chinese Proverb
A book is like a garden carried in the pocket. - Chinese Proverb
Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. - Chinese Proverb.
Those who have free seats at a play hiss first. - Chinese Proverb
When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other. - Chinese Proverb
Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think. - Chinese Proverb
|
 | Colombian
He who must die, must die in the dark, even though he sells candles. - Colombian Proverb
|
 | Czech
When you go to buy, use your eyes, not your ears. - Czech Proverb
Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends. - Czech Proverb
The big thieves hang the little ones. - Czech Proverb
|
 | Danish
To a friend's house the road is never long. - Danish Proverb
Lawyers and painters can soon change white to black. - Danish Proverb
Peace and a well-built house cannot be bought too dearly. - Danish Proverb
Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries , and you will have a fine pig and a bad child. - Danish Proverb
No one is rich enough to do without a neighbor. - Danish Proverb
Children are a poor man's wealth. - Danish Proverb
He who sows peas on the highway does not get all the pods into his barn. - Danish Proverb
He who would leap far must first take a long run. - Danish Proverb
|
 | Dutch
A little pot boils easily. - Dutch Proverb
Strew no roses before swine. - Dutch Proverb
|
 | Egyptian
A man's ruin lies in his tongue. - Egyptian Proverb
|
 | English
Self-praise is no praise at all. - English Proverb
In for a penny, in for a pound. - English Proverb
When a proud man hears another praised, he feels himself injured. - English Proverb
Do not be in a hurry to tie what you cannot untie. - English Proverb
(marriage, eep!)
He who says what he likes will hear what he does not like. - English Proverb
Use soft words and hard arguments. - English Proverb
Advice is least heeded when most needed. - English Proverb
The worse the passage the more welcome the port. - English Proverb
A man's first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart, his next to escape the censures of the world. - English Proverb
Spread the table and contention will cease. - English Proverb
Let him make use of instinct who cannot make use of reason. - English Proverb
The eyes are the window of the soul. - English Proverb
First deserve, and then desire. - English Proverb
|
 | French
To want to forget something is to remember it. - French Proverb
There is no flying without wings. - French Proverb
Wait until it is night before saying that it has been a fine day. - French Proverb
Tout passe, tout lasse, tout casse (Everything passes, everything wears out, everything breaks.)- French Proverb
Travelers from afar can lie with impunity. - French Proverb
There is a pinch of the madman in every great man. - French Proverb
Gratitude is the heart's memory. - French Proverb
Pray, pray very much; but beware of telling God what you want. - French Proverb
With enough 'ifs' we could put Paris in a bottle. - French Proverb
Set a thief to catch a thief. - French Proverb
There is one who kisses, and the other who offers a cheek. - French Proverb
He is rich who owes nothing. - French Proverb
When in doubt, Gallop! - Proverb of the French Foreign Legion
L'amour faite passer les temps. Les temps faite passer l'amour. (Love makes time pass. Time makes love pass.) - French Sundial Motto
A father is a banker provided by nature. - French Proverb
Ready money works great cures. - French Proverb
He that does not ask will never get a bargain. - French Proverb
When we cannot get what we love, we must love what is within our reach. - French Proverb
We know the worth of a thing when we have lost it. - French Proverb
|
 | Gaelic
Avoid the evil, and it will avoid thee. - Gaelic Proverb
|
 | German
Never give advice unless asked. - German Proverb
Rent and Taxes never sleep. - German Proverb
When the fox preaches, look to the geese. - German Proverb
Where there are no swamps there are no frogs. - German Proverb
Whose bread I eat: his song I sing. - German Proverb
The eyes believe themselves; the ears believe other people. - German Proverb
Old birds are hard to pluck. - German Proverb
A lean agreement is better than a fat lawsuit. - German Proverb
One does evil enough when one does nothing good. - German Proverb
|
 | Greek
All things good to know are difficult to learn. - Greek Proverb
From a thorn comes a rose, and from a rose comes a thorn. - Greek Proverb
It is easier to talk than to hold one's tongue. - Greek Proverb
To deceive a diplomat speak the truth, he has no experience with it. - Greek Proverb
Where there is a sea there are pirates. - Greek Proverb
First secure an independent income, then practice virtue. - Greek Proverb
Many men know how to flatter, but few men know how to praise. - Greek Proverb
First secure an independent income, then practice virtue. - Greek Proverb
No need to teach an eagle to fly. - Greek Proverb
|
 | Indian
Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun. - Indian Proverb
|
 | Irish
A dimple in the chin; a devil within. - Irish Proverb
All sins cast long shadows. - Irish Proverb
Better be quarreling than lonesome. - Irish Proverb
You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was. - Irish Proverb
It is not a fish until it is on the bank. - Irish Proverb
|
 | Italian
By asking for the impossible, obtain the best possible. - Italian Proverb
He who knows nothing doubts nothing. - Italian Proverb
Those who sleep with dogs will rise with fleas. - Italian Proverb
He who knows little quickly tells it. - Italian Proverb
Bed is the poor man's opera. - Italian Proverb
Between saying and doing, many a pair of shoes is worn out. - Italian Proverb
The best armor is to keep out of range. - Italian Proverb
Let every fox take care of his own tail. - Italian Proverb
After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box. - Italian Proverb
Who depends on another man's table often dines late. - Italian Proverb
Below the navel there is neither religion nor truth. - Italian Proverb
|
 | Jamaican
If you saw what the river carried, you would never drink the water. - Jamaican Proverb
|
 | Japanese
The crow that mimics a cormorant is drowned. - Japanese Proverb
Vision without action is a daydream. Action with without vision is a nightmare. - Japanese Proverb
The reverse side also has a reverse side. - Japanese Proverb
The go-between wears out a thousand sandals. - Japanese Proverb
Deceive the rich and powerful if you will, but don't insult them. - Japanese Proverb
Fall seven times, stand up eight. - Japanese Proverb
One kind word can warm three winter months. - Japanese Proverb
Never rely on the glory of the morning or the smiles of your mother-in-law. - Japanese Proverb
To know and to act are one and the same. - Samurai Proverb
After victory, tighten your helmet chord. - Japanese Proverb
Fast Ripe, Fast Rotten. - Japanese Proverb
When the time comes, even a rat becomes a tiger. - Japanese Proverb
|
 | Jewish
What you don't see with your eyes, don't invent with your mouth. - Jewish Proverb
God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. - Jewish Proverb
If you can't go over, you must go under. - Jewish Proverb
Don't open a shop unless you know how to smile. - Jewish Proverb
Don't be too sweet lest you be eaten up; don't be too bitter lest you be spewed out. - Jewish Proverb
With money in your pocket you are wise, you are handsome, and you sing well too. - Jewish Proverb
The innkeeper loves a drunkard, but not for a son-in-law. - Jewish Proverb
The only truly dead are those who have been forgotten. - Jewish Proverb
A half-truth is a whole lie. - Jewish Proverb
Don't live in a town where there are no doctors. - Jewish Proverb
Make sure to be in with your equals if you're going to fall out with your superiors. - Jewish Proverb
When you have no choice, mobilize the spirit of courage. - Jewish Proverb
Ask about your neighbors, then buy the house. - Jewish Proverb
Your friend has a friend; don't tell him. - Jewish Proverb
If the rich could hire someone else to die for them, the poor would make a wonderful living. - Jewish Proverb
He who puts up with insult invites injury. - Jewish Proverb
When you have no choice, mobilize the spirit of courage. - Jewish Proverb
|
 | Kurdish
Do not throw the arrow which will return against you. - Kurdish Proverb
|
 | Latin
Vulnerant omnia, ultima necat. (All the [hours] wound you, the last one kills) - Latin Proverb
Live your own life, for you will die your own death. - Latin Proverb
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn. - Latin Proverb
Deliberate often--decide once. - Latin Proverb
He fishes well who uses a golden hook. - Latin Proverb
Love is a kind of military service. - Latin Proverb
If there is no wind, row. - Latin Proverb
Do not lengthen the quarrel while there is an opportunity of escaping. - Latin Proverb
It is the part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it. - Latin Proverb
It is easier to pull down than to build up. - Latin Proverb
A man is not where he lives, but where he loves. - Latin Proverb
|
 | Lithuanian
God gave teeth; He will give bread. - Lithuanian Proverb
|
 | Lybian
He who searches for pearls should not sleep. - Lybian Proverb
|
 | Malayan
Don't think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm. - Malayan Proverb
|
 | Maltese
Time gives good advice. - Maltese Proverb
|
 | Maori
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. - Maori proverb
|
 | Moorish
Every beetle is a gazelle in the eyes of its mother. - Moorish Proverb
|
 | Native American
Every animal knows more than you do. - Native American Proverb (Nez Perce)
You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep. - Navajo Proverb
Life is not separate from death. It only looks that way. - Native American Proverb (Blackfoot)
After dark all cats are leopards. - Native American Proverb (Zuni)
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself. - Native American Proverb (Minquass)
Listen or your tongue will keep you deaf. - Native American Proverb
A people without history is like wind on the buffalo grass. - Sioux Proverb
|
 | Persian
The loveliest of faces are to be seen by moonlight, when one sees half with the eye and half with the fancy. - Persian Proverb
The blind man is laughing at the bald head. - Persian Proverb
Use your enemy's hand to catch a snake. - Persian Proverb
|
 | Philippine
Don't empty the water jar until the rain falls. - Philippine Proverb
The pain of the little finger is felt by the whole body. - Philippine Proverb
|
 | Polish
Fish, to taste good, must swim three times: in water, in butter, and in wine. - Polish Proverb
Words must be weighed, not counted. - Polish Proverb
The greater love is a mother's; then comes a dog's; then a sweetheart's. - Polish Proverb
Even a clock that does not work is right twice a day. - Polish Proverb
The woman cries before the wedding and the man after. - Polish Proverb
Do not push the river, it will flow by itself. - Polish Proverb
A good painter need not give a name to his picture, a bad one must. - Polish Proverb
|
 | Portuguese
Visits always give pleasure, if not the arrival, the departure. - Portuguese Proverb
The dog wags his tail, not for you, but for your bread. - Portuguese Proverb
A rich widow weeps with one eye and signals with the other. - Portuguese Proverb
|
 | Romanian
There is no wise response to a foolish remark. - Romanian Proverb
When a thing is done, advice comes too late. - Romanian Proverb
Long absent, soon forgotten. - Romanian Proverb
An ass is but an ass, though laden with gold. - Romanian Proverb
The anvil fears no blows. - Romanian Proverb
What the heart thinks, the tongue speaks. - Romanian Proverb
If you wish good advice, consult an old man. - Romanian Proverb
Adversity makes a man wise, not rich. - Romanian Proverb
|
 | Russian
Mock not the fallen, for slippery is the road ahead of you. - Russian Proverb
You can not write in the chimney with charcoal. - Russian Proverb
Ask a lot, but take what is offered. - Russian Proverb
If you are a host to your guest, be a host to his dog also. - Russian Proverb
The rich would have to eat money if the poor did not provide food. - Russian Proverb
Za dvumya zaitsami pogonish'sya, ne odnogo ne poimaesh'. (If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.)- Russian Proverb
Love and eggs are best when they are fresh. - Russian Proverb
If the thunder is not loud, the peasant forgets to cross himself. - Russian Proverb
Gossip needs no carriage. - Russian Proverb
If you were born lucky, even your rooster will lay eggs. - Russian Proverb
The hammer shatters glass but forges steel. - Russian Proverb
|
 | Scottish
Never draw your dirk when a blow will do it. - Scottish Proverb
Be slow in choosing a friend, but slower in changing him. - Scottish Proverb
Hours are Time's shafts, and one comes winged with death. - Scottish Clock Motto
Be happy while you're living, For you're a long time dead. - Scottish Proverb
What may be done at any time will be done at no time. - Scottish Proverb
Confessed faults are half mended. - Scottish Proverb
Twelve highlanders and a bagpipe make a rebellion. - Scottish Proverb
|
 | Spanish
Laws, like the spider's webs, catch the flies and let the hawk go free. - Spanish Proverb
No revenge is more honourable than the one not taken. - Spanish Proverb
One drink is just right; two is too many; three are too few. - Spanish Proverb
Tomorrow is the busiest day of the year. - Spanish Proverb
Where there is love, there is pain. - Spanish Proverb
The first drink with water, the second without water, the third like water. - Spanish Proverb
Drink nothing without seeing it; Sign nothing without reading it. - Spanish Proverb
If you would live healthy, be old early. - Spanish Proverb
From a fallen tree, all make kindling. - Spanish Proverb
Walk till the blood appears on the cheek, but not the sweat on the brow. - Spanish Proverb
If I die, I forgive you; If I live, we shall see. - Spanish Proverb
Cuando amor no es locura, no es amor. (When love is not madness, it is not love.) - Spanish Proverb
Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you. - Spanish Proverb
When fire and water are at war, it is the fire that loses. - Spanish Proverb
If you would be pope, you must think of nothing else. - Spanish Proverb
Live with wolves, and you learn to howl. - Spanish Proverb
To the good listener, half a word is enough. - Spanish Proverb
Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names. - Spanish Proverb
An ounce of mother is worth a pound of priests. - Spanish Proverb
You can't make pancakes without breaking eggs. - Spanish Proverb
Don't offer me advice; give me money - Spanish Proverb
If you want to be respected, you must respect yourself. - Spanish Proverb
|
 | Swedish
Love is like dew that falls on both nettles and lilies. - Swedish Proverb
Fear less, hope more, eat less, chew more, whine less, breathe more, talk less, say more, hate less, love more, and all good things will be yours. - Swedish proverb
A peacock has too little in its head, too much in its tail. - Swedish Proverb
Don't let your sorrow come higher than your knees. - Swedish Proverb
When the blind man carries the lame man, both go forward. - Swedish Proverb
|
 | The Talmud
The deeper the sorrow the less tongue it hath. - The Talmud
|
 | Tao
The journey is the reward. - Tao Proverb
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see. - Taoist Proverb
|
 | Texan
When you throw dirt, you lose ground. - Texan Proverb
|
 | Turkish
A thousand regrets do not cancel one debt. - Turkish Proverb
Be thine enemy an ant, see in him an elephant.. - Turkish Proverb
|
 | Ukranian
The church is near, but the way is icy, The tavern is far, but I will walk carefully. - Ukranian Proverb
Love tells us many things that are not so. - Ukranian Proverb
|
 | Unknown, but very old. Or not...
Patience is a bitter plant, but it has sweet fruit. - Old Proverb
The silent dog is the first to bite. - Old Proverb
When you live next to the cemetery, you cannot weep for everyone. - Old
Proverb
When friends ask, there is no tomorrow. - Miscellaneous Proverb
A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. - Miscellaneous Proverb
|
 | Welsh
Three things it is best to avoid: a strange dog, a flood, and a man who thinks he is wise. - Welsh Proverb
|
 | Yiddish
Truth is the safest lie. - Yiddish Proverb
If you can't bite, don't show your teeth. - Yiddish Proverb
Truth never dies, but lives a wretched life. - Yiddish Proverb
|
 | Yoruba
What you give you get, ten times over. - Yoruba Proverb
|
 | Yugoslav
Complain to one who can help you. - Yugoslav Proverb
|