Between the devil and the deep To choose between two equally bad alternatives in a

sea serious dilemma.

Where there's a will there's a When a person really wants to do something, he will find
way a way of doing it.

A burnt child dreads fire A bad experience or a horrifying incident may scar one's
attitude or thinking for a lifetime.

First come, first served The first in line will be attended to first.

A friend in need is a friend A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend.
indeed

Discretion is the better part of If you say discretion is the better part of valor, you mean
valor that avoiding a dangerous or unpleasant situation is
  sometimes the most sensible thing to do.

A hungry man is an angry man A person who does not get what he wants or needs is a
frustrated person and will be easily provoked to rage.

Empty vessels make the most Those people who have a little knowledge usually talk
noise the most and make the greatest fuss.

A man is as old as he feels A person's age is immaterial - it is only when he thinks

and feels that he is ageing that he actually becomes old.

Great talkers are little doers Those people who talk a lot and are always teaching
others usually do not do much work.

An idle brain is the devil's One who has nothing to do will be tempted to do many
workshop mischievous acts.

An ounce of discretion is worth It is better to be careful and discrete than to be clever.

a pound of wit

Faint heart never won fair lady To succeed in life one must have the courage to pursue
what he wants.

A penny saved is a penny By being thrifty one will be able to save up.
gained

A rolling stone gathers no moss A person who never settles in one place or who often
  changes his job will not succeed in life ; one who is
always changing his mind will never get anything done.

As you sow, so you shall reap One will either enjoy or suffer the consequences of his
earlier actions or inactions.

Barking dogs seldom bite Those who make loud threats seldom carry them out.

Better late than never To do something that is right, profitable, or good a little
late is still better than not doing it at all. 
Actions speak louder than words
 
Children usually learn more from the examples set by their elders than from what they
are told ; a person's character is judged by the thing she does and not by what he says;
actions give evidence or proof of.
Fortune knocks once at every man's door
Everyone gets at least one good opportunity in his lifetime; everyone has the
opportunity to be successful in life.

Give the devil his due

 
Be just and fair-minded , even to the one who does not deserve much or who is
unfriendly or unfair; we should punish a person according to his wrongdoings.
God helps those who help themselves
God only helps those people who work hard and make an honest effort.
It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good
A bad or evil occurrence.
Great minds think alike
Wise people will normally think and behave alike in certain situations.
Habit is second nature
An act done repeatedly and often enough will sooner or later become a habit or
second nature.
He laughs best who laughs last
A person who does his best is the one who will get the greatest satisfaction in the end.
Never do things by halves
 One should not do an incomplete or imperfect job - certain tasks must not be left half
done; they must be done away with immediately.
Great haste makes great waste
If one does things hastily he will make a lot of mistakes - he will need to spend a lot
of time correcting those mistakes later.
It's never too late to mend
It is never too late to correct one's mistakes or faults.
It's no use crying over spilt milk
 It is pointless to feel remorseful over a thing lost that can never be found or a mistake
done that can never be corrected or rectified.
Still waters run deep
One who is usually silent and goes about his business quietly may be a very wise
person.
Jack of all trades and master of none
Is a person who can do almost anything, but he rarely excels in any of them.
Let bygones by bygones
One should consider forgiving one's and forget all the bad deeds done by others.
Let not the pot call the kettle black
 A person who has a fault should not point out the same fault in another; do not
criticize another person as you may have the same weakness.
Let sleeping dogs lie
One should preferably avoid discussing issues that are likely to create trouble.
No news is good news
When there is no news, it is likely that everything is all right.
Look before you leap
Avoid acting hastily, without considering the possible consequences.
Necessity is the mother of invention
When a person is in great need of something, he will find a way of getting it.
Honesty is the best policy
Being honest is believed to be the best route to take.
One man's meat is another man's poison
No two persons are alike - every one has his own preferences, likes and dislikes.
Once bitten twice shy
If a person has been tricked once he will more be careful and alert the next time.
Like father, like son, like mother, like daughter
( used to describe a child's behavior when he or she acts like the father or mother )
Practice makes perfect
It is believed that if one practices a certain skill often, he will excel in it
Prevention is better than cure
It is better to be careful beforehand than to try to solve a problem after it has arisen.
 Rome was not built in a day
Any great plan or big dream cannot be achieved overnight or easily.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul
( this is quoted when one takes another loan to pay off an earlier loan ) taking from
one to give another.
Spare the rod and spoil the child
A child who is not punished and showed the error of his ways will become unruly.
Speech is silver, silence is golden
Talk may be beneficial, but sometimes acquiescence may be the best option to take.
It takes two to make a quarrel
Both parties in a quarrel should share the blame or take responsibility for it; no one
can start a quarrel all by himself.
Strike while the iron is hot
Seize a good opportunity as quickly as possible.
There's no smoke without fire
Rumors do not spread unless there is some element of truth in them.
Time and tide wait for no one
Time is precious, once it is past no one can go back and claim it thus everyone should
be mindful of how his time is spent.
To err is human, to forgive divine
 
It is only normal for man to make mistakes and do wrong, but for one to forgive
another for his wrong is indeed  great and gracious act.
What's done can't be undone
 
In life there are some things once done or decisions once made cannot be changed;
malicious words once uttered or harmful actions once done cannot be taken back.
Two heads are better than one
It is always better to get the view of another than to rely entirely on one's own
judgment.
When in Rome do as the Romans do
When one is in a new place, country or situation he must adapt himself to the new
manners and customs.
When the cat is away the mice will play
When law enforcers are not present, certain public members will take the opportunity
to break the law
Absence makes the heart grow fonderOne usually desires another more when he or
she is far away.
A bad workman always blames A careless or unskilled worker blames bad work on his
his tools tools rather than himself.

A new broom sweeps clean A person newly appointed is always eager and
enthusiastic in his work.

Don't judge a book by its cover Do not be deceived by appearances.

Blood is thicker than water Family ties are stronger than any other.

Don't count your chickens Do not make plans based on something that has not
before they are hatched. happened.

Don't make a mountain out of Do not make a big fuss or issue over something minor or
a molehill small

Experience is the best teacher The best way to learn a job is to do it.

The last straw that broke the The final thing that, when added to a bad or unpleasant
camel's back situation, causes failure or ruin.
Look at the bright side Be optimistic

Make hay while the sun shines Seize opportunities

Out of sight, out of mind You will soon forget friends you do not meet or keep in
contact with.

A leopard cannot change its A person's nature cannot change.

spots

There are two sides to every   There are always two ways of looking at something
question
     
Too many cooks spoil the broth   Too many people doing the same thing at the same time
will not be successful
     
We never miss the water till the   You only realize the importance of something when it is
well runs dry gone
     
To put the cart before the   To do something in an incorrect order
horse
     
Bite off more than one can   To try to do something one is unable to do or incapable
chew of doing.
     
Half a loaf is better than none   It's better to have or receive less than one desires than to
have or receive nothing at all.
     
Have an old head on young   Youngsters who possess qualities of wisdom one would
shoulders only expect to find in experienced older people.
     
Have eyes in the back of one's   An ability to know what is happening not within the
head scope of one's vision.
     
If it's not one thing it's another   The troubles seem to go on and on without end.
     
The sky is the limit   There is no upper limit to something
     
A trouble shared is a trouble   Your troubles seem half as great when you discuss them
halved with someone else
     
A watched pot never boils   If you watch or wait for something to get done or to
 happen it seems to take forever
     
Worship the ground somebody   Very much in love with somebody
walks on
     
Between a rock and a hard   To be in a difficult situation from which there seems to
place be no escape
     
Cleanliness is next to Godliness   To be clean and tidy is just as important as being
spiritually good and religious.
     
Money is the root of all evil   Crimes and wickedness are associated with money.
     
Two's company, three's a   It is always fun while there are only two people whereas
crowd the third person is an unwelcome intrusion.
     
It takes all sorts to make a   You should not expect everyone to think and act as you
world do.
     
Jump from the frying pan into   To go from a bad position to a worse one.
the fire
     
Go from the sublime to the   Move from one situation which is wonderful or perfect to
ridiculous another which is absurd or awful
     
One swallow doesn't make a   One success doesn't guarantee complete success
summer
     
Truth is stranger than fiction   Real life can be more incredible than anything which can
be imagined
     
You can't have your cake and   You must choose between two things as it is impossible
eat it to have both at the same time
     
A miss is as good as a mile   Something that one already has is better than something
that one may not be able to get
     
As you make your bed so must   You must accept the consequences of your act
you lie on it
     
Cut your coat according to   Live within your income; don't be too ambitious in your
your cloth plans
     
All's fish that comes the net When something comes our way we should consider how
it might be useful or benefit us.

An apple a day keeps the doctor It means that apples are so nutritious they keep you in the
away peak of health.

Be on the safe side To take special precautions to avoid making a mistake

Beauty is in the eye of the What is beautiful to one person may not be beautiful to
beholder others.

Beggars can't be choosers Someone in need should be grateful for what is given to
him -- even if it's not what he wants or expects

The blind leading the blind A person helping or advising someone knows as little
about the subject as the person who is being advised.

The buck stops here It means final decision or total responsibility for an
action

Burn the candle at both ends Those who are always busy and seem to get little rest

Buy a pig in a poke Buy something without examining it for faults or

checking to see if they are really getting what they
believe they have purchased

Catch as catch can To do anything or use any means to achieve an aim or

reach a goal.

Children should be seen and not To stop a child from asking questions, talking, or making
heard unnecessary noise.

Christmas comes but once each An excuse to indulge in food and drink and spend money
year during the Christmas season.

Cry over spilled milk   It's pointless to get upset or feel regret about a loss or
mistake that can't be undone
     
Curiosity killed the cat   To warn people not to show too much interest in affairs
that don't concern them.
     
Cut off your nose to spite your   When people are dissatisfied or angry, they sometimes
face react by doing foolish things that prove harmful to
 themselves.
     
The devil finds work for idle   Unless one keeps busy doing useful or constructive
hands things he could be tempted into mischief or evil.
     
The devil has the best tunes   To do something unworthy because it gives you pleasure
     
Dog eat dog   In competitive situations where each person has his own
interests at heart, it is usually the strong and the
determined who succeed.
     
An exception to the rule   Something does not conform to or agree with a rule
     
Fling/throw mud at someone   To say evil or bad things about someone and in doing so,
to damage his or her reputation.
     
A fool and his money are soon   A person who spends his money foolishly will soon be
parted penniless
     
Forgive and forget   Excusing or pardoning someone for doing something
     
Give someone enough rope and   If we allow someone to continue in his bad ways he'll
he will hang himself eventually bring about his own downfall or ruin.
     
Grin and bear it   To put up with discomfort or a bad situation without
complaining.
     
He who pays the piper calls the   The person who pays for something has the right to do as
tune he wants.
     
Hide your light under a bushel   Concealing your talents, skills or abilities
     
Hitch one's wagon to a star   To Move forward in a way to improve your chances of
achieving success.
     
Home is where the heart is   No matter where you are, 'home' is where you feel most
comfortable and content.
     
If wishes were horses, beggars   If we could get all the things we wanted just by making a
would ride wish, everyone would have all he ever wanted.
     
If you can't lick them, join them   If you cannot defeat an opponent or get him to change his
 ideas, plans or way of doing things, the best thing is to
change your ideas, plans, etc.
     
In for a penny, in for a pound   If we decide to do something, we should commit
ourselves to it boldly and completely.
     
A job worth doing is a job worth   When you do something you should do it as well as you
doing well can.
     
Keep the wolf from the door   To avoid hunger and poverty
     
Laugh and the world laughs with   When someone is in a happy, cheerful mood, people like
you being with him.
     
Least said, soonest forgotten   The less we say about it the sooner the incident will be
forgotten.
     
A chicken and egg question   A mysterious question which can't be answered
     
You can lead a horse to water but   We can help, show or encourage someone to do
you can't make him drink something but we can't make him do what he is unwilling
or unable to do
Life is just a bowl of cherries Life is full of happiness and pleasure

Like a bull in a china shop A clumsy or tactless person

Lock the stable door after the Once a mistake has been made or an error committed, it's
horse has bolted too late to take precautions to prevent it from happening.

The longest day must have an All difficult jobs or situations also have an end.
end

Losers weepers, finders keepers If someone loses something, he weeps -- but if someone
finds it, he keeps it.

Love me, love my dog If we want a person's friendship we must accept him
totally, faults and all.

Many hands make light work Many people sharing a job or tasks make easier work of
it.

The mountain labors and brings To work hard and long on a project that turns out to be
forth a mouse pretty useless.
Opportunity only knocks once Seize an opportunity when it occurs for it may never
happen again.

An ounce of prevention is better It is even better to be cautious and prevent a misfortune

than a pound of cure or an accident from happening.

Possession is nine points of the In disputes over property ownership, the person in
law possession of something is sometimes said to have nine-
tenths a chance of winning it in a legal argument

Promises are like pie crust Most promises cannot be kept

Put a quart into a pint pot   Doing something that's impossible

     
The rain falls on the just and the   No matter how good or bad a person, he must still face
unjust alike the everyday problems that confront us all.
     
The sins of the fathers will be   People will be punished for the wrongs committed by
visited upon the children their parents, forefathers, or those who have preceded
them.
     
Someone's bark is worse than his   People sometimes bark but in time we learn they're not
bite always as frightening as they seem.
     
The spirit is willing but the flesh   To do something unworthy just because it gives you the
is weak pleasure
     
A stitch in time saves nine   By taking immediate action we can prevent a fault,
damage or trouble from getting worse
     
A straw will show which way the   A small incident can reveal an important event
wind blows
     
Teach an old dog new tricks   It is impossible to change someone's ways or habits,
especially if he is old and resists change
     
That's where the shoe pinches   That's the source or cause of a problem or an annoyance
     
There are none so blind as those   People ,who never admit they might be wrong, refuse to
that will not see listen to the opinions or ideas of anyone
     
There are none so deaf as those   People sometimes hear only what they want to hear
who will not hear
     
There's more than one way to   There is more than one way of getting a job done
skin a cat
     
The thin end of the wedge   That something can appear to be small and of no
particular importance - yet it can turn out to be the
beginning of a major problem.
     
A thing of beauty is a joy forever   It means that though something beautiful may not last,
the happy memory of it will live forever.
     
Time heals old wounds   The passing of time helps us to forget things that have
caused us pain or made us unhappy.
     
The truth will out   Truth about something will eventually be discovered or
made known
     
Turn up like a bad penny   Something or someone disliked just won't go away
     
Two wrongs do not make a right   If a person does something to harm or offend us, that's
wrong. If we do something to harm them back, that's
wrong too.
     
Uneasy is the head that wears the   Notable or important people are often concerned about
crown losing their positions.
     
Waste not, want not   If we're careful and waste nothing we'll never go without
things we need.
     
The way to a man's heart is   Most men love to eat so feed your husband well and he
through his stomach will always love you.
     
Wear out one's welcome   One is no longer welcome, usually because he has
become a nuisance
     
When poverty comes in the door,   As soon as a happily married couple begin having
love flies out the window financial problems and the bills pile up their love will
disappear.
     
Who keeps company with   If we associate with bad companions we, too, will
wolves, will learn to howl become bad
     
You pays your money and you   A humorous way of saying that we sometimes must trust
takes your chances in luck when buying something.
     
Prosperity makes friends,   If you are rich and successful, you will attract many
adversity tries them friends, but if you should suffer hardship or have
misfortune ( adversity ), your friends will quickly depart.
A constant guest is never We are apt to grow to dislike friends who visit us too
welcome often

Catch not at the shadow and lose We should not waste time on trivial aspects of a matter
the substance and neglect the essential matter itself.

If the blind lead the blind, both Those without knowledge should not try to teach the
shall fall into the ditch ignorant.

Kindle not a fire you cannot put Do not start something you cannot control or resolve
out

Do unto others as you would Treat others as you would like them to treat you.
others do unto you
 
Fools rush in where angels fear Foolish people tend to act too hastily and do things that
to tread wise people would avoid.

A contented mind is a perpetual Contentment of mind is the cause of lasting happiness.

feast
     
History tends to repeat itself   What has happened once is liable to happen again.
     
Cross the stream where it is   Don't make things difficult for yourself; always find the
shallowest simplest means of achieving your objective.
     
It is useless to flog a dead horse   It is no use spending your time and energy on an activity
or belief that is already widely rejected or outdated.
     
Every oak must be an acorn   Everything has to have a small beginning.

A good name is sooner lost than It takes a long time to build up a good reputation which
won can be easily destroyed by misconduct.

Do not cross a bridge till you   Do not worry about something before it has happened
come to it
     
The best fish swim near the   The best things are hard to come by
bottom
     
You cannot make a silk purse out   You cannot change a person's real character
of a sow's ear
     
It never rains but it pours   Events, especially misfortunes, always come together and
not one at a time.
     
A house divided against itself   Discord breaks up families.
cannot stand
     
The darkest hour is that before   Even when things seem at their very worst, they may
dawn shortly improve.
     
Variety is the spice of life   Life becomes very monotonous without some break or
change in the daily routine.
     
Do not have too many irons in   If we attempt to do too much at once, we shall not do
the fire anything properly
     
A light purse makes a heavy   We cannot be cheerful when we have financial problems.
heart
     
The pen is mightier than the   The written word is more to be feared than physical
sword violence
     
A nod is as good as a wink   A hint or suggestion can be accepted and acted upon
without further elaboration.
     
Do not ride the high horse   Do not be arrogant
     
Even Homer sometimes nods   Even the best of us are liable to make mistakes.
     
There is no place like home   Even a simple home is the best place in the world for the
people who live in it.
     
A rose by any other name would   It is not what a thing is called that matters, but what it is.
smell just as sweet
     
Every flow must have its ebb   Life has its ups and downs, neither good fortune nor ill
fortune lasts forever.
     
A cat may look at a king   Anyone has the right to look at or speak to anyone else
without having to worry about status, position,
upbringing etc.
     
A chain is no stronger than its   The success of a group or team depends on the full
weakest link commitment of every member
     
A closed mouth catches no flies   It is better not to say anything than to say something that
might get you into trouble
     
A drowning man will clutch at a   A desperate person will do anything to save himself
straw
     
A friend to all is a friend to none   A person who makes himself close to everyone probably
cannot be trusted by any one
     
A good beginning makes a good   Something that starts off right will probably succeed all
ending the way and end on the right note
     
A good name is better than riches   A good reputation is precious, difficult to earn and cannot
be bought
     
A little knowledge is a dangerous   Knowing only a little about something can cause you to
thing distort the truth or overestimate, misunderstand
something
A loaded wagon makes no noise People who are very rich do not feel the need to speak
about their wealthy as they do not feel threatened in any
way

A man is known by the company You can tell about a person by observing who he spends
he keeps time with
 
A man is ruled by his passions Your character, personality, attitude etc can be overtaken
by your emotions if they are strong enough
 
A man's home is his castle You feel most secure, free and in control in your own
home
 
A pot of milk is ruined by a drop Something bad no matter how small can ruin all your
of poison plans, successes etc.
 
A small leak will sink a great Small problems are worth the time to fix as they can
ship eventually cause great damage
  
A wise man changes his mind It is wise to reconsider your plans, ideas, actions in the
sometimes, a fool never light of new information rather than to blindly stick to an
earlier decision
     
A word spoken is past recalling   What has been said cannot be taken back, so think before
you speak
     
A word to the wise is enough   You need not be long-winded when speaking to
intelligent people or those who understand you well
     
Advice most needed is least   People tend to ignore or overlook the help or advice they
heeded nee the most
     
After a storm, comes a calm   Every problem eventually comes to an end, so cheer up
 
All for one and one for all People who are committed to working together for a
positive outcome
 
All good things come to an end   Every event, no matter how enjoyable, must end at some
point
     
All the world loves a lover   Everyone loves to see people in love
     
All things come to him who   You will get what you want if you are willing to wait for
waits it patiently
     
All's fair in love and war   Where powerful emotions are concerned, there can be no
firm rules of behavior
     
All's well that ends well   A happy ending to a difficult situation can help you
forget or disregard the earlier trouble
     
An army marches on its stomach   You need to eat for energy to complete your tasks
     
An empty bag will not stand   Quality comes with effort
upright
     
Appearances are deceptive   What looks good may not really be so
     
April showers bring May flowers   Unpleasant events can sometimes lead to better things
     
As soon as a man is born, he   Death is the destiny of every man
begins to die
     
Ask no questions and hear no lies   Do not force a person into telling you a lie by forcing him
to talk about something he does not want to talk about
     
Avoid evil and it will avoid thee   Stay out of trouble, and trouble will not follow you
     
Bad news travels fast   People seem to hear bad news very fast
     
Bad is never good until worse   A bad situation you have been complaining about will
happens suddenly seem a blessing when something worse happens
     
Be careful what you wish for,   What you wish for may not really be what is good for
you might just get it you
     
Beauty is only skin-deep   Looks are not the most important thing about a person
     
Behind every successful man is a   A man's strongest and most loyal supporters are usually
woman his mother and/or his wife
     
Better a mouse in the pot than no   To have something, no matter how little or poor in
meat at all quality, is better than to have nothing at all
     
Do as I saw, and not as I do   Do something as you have seen it done although it may
be different from your own way of doing it
     
Doctors make the worst patients   It is difficult advising people on matters they are
supposed to be experts on because they believe they
know better
     
Don't go near the water until you   Do not try to do something before you have learnt how to
learn how to swim do it or before you are ready for it
     
Don't mend what isn't broken   Do not change things that are working fine as they are
     
Don't shut the barn door after the   prepare for emergencies and eventualities before they
horse is gone happen
     
Don't teach your grandmother   Do not be presumptuous and teach an experienced person
how to suck eggs how things should be done
Better be safe than sorry It is wise to take precautions rather than be upset that you
did not prepare for an eventuality after something has
 happened

Better the devil you know than the problems you are facing at present may not be as bad
the devil you don't know as those in the place you are planning to move to
 
Better to be alone than in bad It is better to be by yourself than to be with people who
company are a bad influence
 
Better to die with honor than live It is more honorable to do the right thing even if you will
with shame be punished or have to die for it than to live as a coward
or a liar
 
Bitter pills may have blessed Something may be unpleasant or painful, but it can help
effects you in the long run
 
Books and friends should be few You do not need to have too many friends or read too
but good many books in order to live a balanced, fulfilled and
complete life as long as the friends and books you do
have are full of substance
 
Boys will be boys Often applied to men who act childishly
     
Brain is better than brawn   Intelligence is more valuable than physical strength
     
Bread always falls buttered-side   Of two possibilities, it often seems that the more negative
down one will occur
     
Brevity is the soul of wit   When you want to sound clever, it is better to be brief
rather than long-winded
     
Business before pleasure   It is better to finish your work before you have a good
time
 
By timely mending save much Fix a problem as soon as you discover it to save money,
spending expense, worry, etc having to deal with it later when it
has become a bigger problem
 
Chance favors the prepared mind   You should always be prepared to act so that when
opportunities present themselves, you are ready to seize
them
     
Cheapest is dearest   Some items may save you money because they are cheap,
but their quality may be poor, and this may cost you a lot
 of money in repairs and getting replacements later
     
Clothes make the man   The way you dress tells people something about you, and
can influence their opinion of you
     
Comparisons are odious   It is bad to compare people to one another
     
Confessed faults are half-mended   When you own up to a fault, mistake or wrongdoing, you
are halfway to changing into a better person
     
Courtesy costs nothing   Politeness should be a way of life for everyone
     
Cowards die many deaths   A coward is afraid of everything, and therefore, faces
every problem or challenge with great fear
     
Crime does not pay   However much you may earn or make as a criminal, a
life of crime does not pay because the law will catch up
with you eventually
     
Curses are like chickens, they   Curses you place on others may find their fulfilment in
come home to roost you, so it is best not to curse anyone
     
Danger and delight grow on the   Some pleasures will lead you to danger
same stalk
     
Death is the great leveler   Death, which comes to everyone without discrimination,
makes everyone equal
     
Deeds are fruits, words are but   Taking action is far better than just talking about
leaves problems or negative situations
     
Desperate times call for   Sometimes, a situation is so urgent or unexpected that
desperate measures you have to resort to doing things you normally would
not
     
Different strokes for different   You need different plans or strategies in managing
talks different people as people are different in personality and
temperament
     
Diligence is the mother of good   Working hard will bring you riches and success
fortune
     
Distance lends enchantment to   When you are free of a problem or far away from
the view troublesome people, you begin to feel that things were
not so bad after all
     
Divide and rule   A method of ruling or managing people where you
separate them into different groups to make sure they do
not join forces against you
     
East or West, home is best   You feel safest, most comfortable and most at peace in
your own home
     
Even a broken/stopped clock is   No one is ever wrong all the time
right twice a day
     
Even a dog can distinguish   Do not let people bully you, but be alert to when you are
between being stumbled over and being taken advantage of
being kicked
     
Every ass loves to hear himself   Conceited people love to boast about their achievements
bray
     
Every bird loves to listen to   People who know they are good at something tend to
himself sing boast about their ability
     
Every family has a skeleton in   Every family has their secrets
the cupboard
     
Every man has his faults   No one is perfect
Every man has his price If you offer someone enough money, he will be willing to
do anything for you
 
Every man is his own worst A lot of people tend to hurt their own chance at success
enemy because of negative-mindedness, fear, ignorance,
unresolved issues
 
Every man must carry his own Everyone has to carry his burden or responsibilities in
cross life
 
Every picture tells a story Every situation has an explanation
 
Everyone wants to go to heaven, Everyone wants to enjoy success, but few are willing to
but no one wants to die work hard or take the risks involved in achieving it
 
Example is better than precept It is better to show by example than to advise, order or
 tell people to be upright
 
Experience is the mother of You become wiser as you gain more experience in life
wisdom
     
Facts are stubborn things   You cannot change the facts of a case
     
Failure teaches success   People can learn from their failures and mistakes
     
Faith will move mountains   Miracles will happen when you believe that they will
     
Familiarity breeds contempt   People tend to lose respect for people they are close to or
in close company with all the time
 
Fear is stronger than love Fear is often a stronger emotion or motivation than even
love
 
Fear of death is worse than death   Fear is often a crippling emotion because it is so
itself powerful
     
Fine feathers make fine birds   You can pretend to be rich, famous etc. by dressing the
part
     
Fine words butter no parsnips   Just talking about something is not going to get the job
done
     
First deserve, then desire   Before you begin to hope about possessing something,
make sure you are qualified for it
     
First things first   Do the more urgent and important things first
     
First think, and then speak   Think about what you are going to say before you speak
     
Flattery brings friends, truth   People like to hear good things said about them although
enemies they may not be the truth
     
Fool me once, shame on you.   You should be alert to people trying to get the better of
fool me twice, shame on me you
     
Fretting cares make grey hairs   Worrying is a negative activity that can age you
prematurely
     
Garbage in, garbage out   If the information or input you provide is wrong, the end
result will also be below par or flawed
     
Give a man a fish and you feed   It is better to teach people how to be independent by
him for a day; teach a man to fish teaching them how to do things for themselves than to do
and you feed him for a lifetime everything for them
     
Give and take is fair play   You should be willing to give in partly to others if you
want them to give in partly to you
     
Give credit where credit is due   Appreciate someone for the good work he ahs done
     
Give him an inch and he'll want a   Some people always take advantage of favor that is
yard shown them
     
Good fences make good   Respect people's privacy and their territory
neighbors
     
Good wine needs no bush   Products of good quality do not need a lot of advertising,
as their quality alone shows their worth
     
Goodness is better than beauty   Inner beauty is more valuable than outer beauty
     
Grasp all, lose all   If you are too greedy and try to grab everything you see,
you might lose that and everything you have too
     
Green leaves and brown leaves   Everyone has a common beginning, and therefore, no one
fall from the same tree is above another
     
Happy wife, happy life   If you have a happy or good life partner, you will be
happy and contented
     
Hard words break no bones   Ignore insults as they cannot physically harm you, and
will only harm you emotionally if you let them
     
Haste makes waste   Things that are done in a hurry are usually done sloppily,
and may contain careless mistakes
     
He is rich who owes nothing   A person who owes no one a debt is free of worry, and
therefore, rich, in a sense
     
He is the best general who makes   A good leader rarely makes mistakes
the fewest mistakes
     
He knows most who speaks last The one who waits to listen to what others have to say
before speaking has a better understanding of a situation
 
He that goes a-borrowing, goes a Do not make borrowing a habit as you will suffer for it in
-sorrowing the end
 
He that is master of himself, will Self-discipline will help you achieve greatness
soon be master of masters
 
He that knows nothing, doubts An ignorant person usually raises no questions because
nothing he is not aware that problems exist
 
He that plants thorns must never If you do evil, do not expect good to come to you
expect to gather roses
 
He who dares, wins You can only win or succeed if you are willing to take
risks
 
He who fails to prepare, prepares lack of preparation will cause you to lose or fail
to fail
     
He who hesitates is lost   You will lose opportunities if you are indecisive and not
fast enough to grab them
     
He who knows does not speak.   It is an ironic situation when someone who should speak
He who speaks does not know up does not while the person who should not, does
     
He who likes borrowing dislikes   People who tend to borrow often are usually slow in
paying settling debts
     
He who lives too fast, goes to his   If you do not allow yourself to rest once in a while when
grave too soon you lead a fast-paced life, you will suffer from stress,
burnt out and illness
 
He who sleeps forgets his hunger sleeping is a good way to forget you are hungry,
especially when there is no food for you and you have no
money to buy any
 
He who serves two masters must   You cannot effectively or fully serve two people as your
lie to one attention, loyalty, commitment etc. will be split between
the two
     
He who stands for nothing will   A person with no principles or opinions of his own will
fall for everything tend to go along with anything anyone tells him, and can,
therefore, be easily cheated
     
He who sups with the devil has   If you keep company with or work for dangerous or evil
need of a long spoon people, you will need to be very careful
     
He who will steal an egg will   A person who steals small things is likely to steal big
steal an ox things too
     
Health is better than wealth   It is better to be healthy than rich, as without a healthy
body you can do nothing, and cannot enjoy your wealth
     
History repeats itself   People tend to repeat mistakes made by others over the
generations, not learning from them
     
Honey catches more flies than   Use the right incentives to motivate people to do
vinegar something
     
Hope for the best, expect the   Never lose hope, but be prepared with an alternative if
worst things do not go as planned
     
Hope is life   To live is to always be hopeful
     
Hope is the last thing that we lose   People are by nature hopeful, and must always be so
because when we lose hope, we lose the will to live
     
Hope springs eternal   Hope is something that never dies, and people should
never lose hope
     
Hunger is the best spice   When you are really hungry, everything tastes good, and
you eat up everything placed in front of you
     
If at first you don't succeed, try,   Never stop trying to succeed at something
try again
     
If the shoe fits, wear it   If something said about you is true, you should accept it.
     
If wishes were horses, beggars   It is easy to wish for things, but wishes do not often come
would ride true
     
If you buy cheaply, you pay   Cheap goods are usually not the best in terms of quality
dearly
     
If you buy quality, you only cry   Items of good quality may be expensive, but they will
once last you a long time
     
If you can't take the heat, get out   If you cannot handle something, give it up
of the kitchen
     
If you don't buy a ticket, you   If you do not take the risk, you cannot expect success
can't win the raffle
     
If you don't have anything nice to   Avoid being negative
say, don't say anything at all
     
If you keep your mouth shut, you   Keep quiet, and you will say nothing wrong
won't put your foot in it
     
If you want a thing done right, do   Do not rely on others to complete your work for you
it yourself
     
If you were born to be shot,   You cannot escape your fate
you'll never be hanged
     
If you're in a hole, stop digging   Do not create more trouble for yourself when you are
already facing some
Ignorance is bliss You can be happy when you do not know there are
problems around you
 
Ignorance of the law excuses no Not knowing what you did was wrong does not excuse
man you from suffering the penalty
 
Imitation is the sincerest form of When someone copies what you do, it means they really
flattery admire you or the way you do things
 
It is best to be on the safe side Play safe, and be prepared for the worst to happen
 
It takes two to tango It takes two individuals to do certain things
 
It's a blessing in disguise When an opportunity arrives through a crisis etc.
 
It's better to give than to receive Giving is more blessed than receiving
     
It's better to have loved and lost   Do not be afraid to fall in love
than never to have loved at all
     
Jam tomorrow and jam   What you early hope for does not seem to be happening
yesterday, but never jam today
     
A journey of a thousand miles   To progress at anything, you first need to get started
begins with a single step
     
Judge not, lest ye be judged   Do not judge others as you are not perfect yourself, so be
merciful in the hope that others will show you mercy one
day
 
Keep no more cats than will Do not acquire more than what you need
catch mice
 
Keep your friends close, and   Keep track of what your enemies are up to for your own
your enemies closer protection
     
Kill not the goose that laid the   Do not be so foolish as to destroy the source of your good
golden egg fortune out of pride, greed, anger etc
     
Kill two birds with one stone   Complete two tasks with one action
     
Kindness begets kindness   When you are kind to people, they will be kind to you in
return
     
Knowledge is power   The more you learn, the greater influence you have over
others
     
Laugh and grow fat   Laughter creates a sense of well-being and happiness
     
Laughter is the best medicine   being cheerful is good for your total well-being
     
Laughter is the shortest distance   Laughter is the best way to break the ice between
between two people strangers or enemies
     
Learn to walk before you run   Do not rush into things before you are ready
     
Let him who is without sin cast   You qualify to judge someone only if you yourself are
the first stone faultless
     
Let the buyer beware   Always be aware of what you are getting yourself into
     
Let us go hand in hand, not one   Face problems together in unity, and not alone or in a
before another spirit of enmity
     
Lightning never strikes twice in   The same misfortune will probably not occur again in the
the same place same place or to the same people
     
Like cures like   People who have been through something are usually
able to help others with the same problem
     
Little boys should be seen and   Children should not interrupt when adults are talking
not heard
     
Little by little and bit by bit   If you persevere at something, you will gradually
accomplish it
     
Little enemies and little wounds   Do not ignore people you have angered or hurt, however
must not be despised small the slight or injury, as they can harm you one day if
they choose to bear a grudge
     
Little strokes feel great oaks   Continuous effort, however small the mount, will help
you achieve your greatest dreams and ambitions
     
Little things please little minds   Childish people are thrilled by childish, petty things
     
Live and learn   Learn as much as you can from life
     
Live and let live   Get on with your own affairs and let other get on with
theirs
     
Long absent, soon forgotten   If you are away for too long, people may forget you
     
Look after the pence, and the   Take care of the details and the bigger issues will be
pounds will look after themselves solved
     
Look on the bright side   Be positive
Look on the sunny side of life Be positive in life
 
Loose lips sink ships People who talk too much may give away important
secrets that could harm themselves or others
 
Love conquers all Love motivates people to make things work
  
Love covers a multitude of sins When you treat people with love, compassion, kindness,
forebearing etc. you make up for a lot of your own faults
because it is right to love people
 
Love makes the world go round Love is the important thing in life that makes life
meaningful
 
Love sees no faults Real love does not take into account the flaws of a person
 
Love will find a way Love motivates people to look for solutions to all
problems
     
Man cannot live by bread alone   It takes more than food to complete your life
     
Marry in haste, repent at leisure   Do not rush into marriage because if you marry the
wrong person, you will spend the rest of your life
regretting it
     
Measure twice, cut once   Consider your options carefully in order to make a good
decision
     
( The ) meek shall inherit the   The humble and the downtrodden but not the proud or the
earth mighty will be rewarded with the best at the end of time
 
Mirrors do everything we do, but man-made devices have their limits, and cannot do
they cannot think for themselves everything humans can
 
Misery loves company   unhappy people seem to like to make others unhappy too
     
Money cannot buy happiness   You cannot buy joy, peace, contentment etc
     
Money isn't everything   Riches cannot solve all your problems or bring you joy,
peace, contentment etc.
     
Money makes the world go round   People work hard and go through a lot of pain just to earn
more money as if it is what keeps them going
     
Monkey see, monkey do   People without minds of their own tend to blindly do and
say what others do and say
     
More haste, less speed   The more you hurry, the slower you seem to progress
because hurrying causes you to make mistakes
     
Nature, time and patience are   The goodness of nature, time and being patient can bring
three great physicians healing
     
Never do things in halves   Always complete a job as perfectly as you can
     
Never fall out with your bread   Do not quarrel with the people who pay you your salary
and butter or with your customers
     
Never give advice unless asked   Do not assume that people need your help or that you
have all the answers to help them, it is better to wait until
you are asked for help
     
Never let the right hand know   Be discreet in all you do, do not tell others your deeds,
what the left hand is doing especially your good deeds
     
Never put off till tomorrow what   Do not delay doing tasks and assignments
you can do today
     
Never say die   Never give up
     
never say never   Always leave room for change
     
Never speak ill of the dead   Do not talk badly about the departed
     
( It is ) never too late to repent   It is never too late to say you are sorry, and to change
your ways
     
( One is ) never too old to learn   There is no age limit to acquiring knowledge
     
Never trouble trouble till trouble   Do not go looking for trouble
troubles you
     
( A ) nimble sixpence is better   A capable person, even if he is slow or not well qualified,
than a slow shilling is more valuable than an inefficient person who may be
highly qualified
     
No man can serve two masters   You can only be faithful to one boss, leader etc
     
No man is an island   Everyone needs the companionship of others
     
No man is content with his lot   Most people seem to be dissatisfied with what they have,
 and want other things
     
No man is indispensable   No man is so useful to others that people cannot do
without him
     
No money, no justice   In a corrupt legal system, you can bribe lawyers and
judges to win a case for you
     
No pain, no gain You must be ready to make sacrifices to get what you
want badly
 
No revenge is more honorable However tempted you may be to retaliate, try not to
than the one not taken lips sink because revenge is a negative pursuit
ships
 
No rose is without a thorn Nothing on earth is perfect
 
No time like the present Now is the best time to do something
 
Nothing comes free Unfortunately, everything in life has a price attached to it
 
Nothing succeeds like success When a person starts being successful, he is likely to
continue being successful
 
Nothing ventured, nothing gained One must take risks in order to succeed at anything
     
Old habits die hard   It is difficult to change a long-time habit
     
One good turn deserves another   Always be ready to show kindness to people who have
been kind to you
     
One man's junk is another man's   People have different tastes, preferences, perceptions of
treasure the same thing
     
one man's loss is another man's   What is a disadvantage to one person can be an
gain advantage to another
 
One man's terrorist is another There are always two sides to an argument and two
man's freedom fighter perspectives to consider
 
Opportunity seldom knocks twice   You must be ready to grab an opportunity when it comes
your way
     
Patience is a virtue   Patience is an advantage and a good trait to nurture in
yourself
     
Politics makes a strange   In politics, people who have always been opponents often
bedfellows work together at different times for their own interests
     
Poverty is no crime   The poor should not be despised
     
Practise what you preach   Do what you advise others to do
     
Pride comes before a fall   An extremely proud person runs the risk of being
humbled in front of everyone
     
Procrastination is the thief of   To delay doing your work only wastes your time
time
     
Put a beggar on horseback, and   Sometimes, giving a person more than he needs or knows
he will ride to the devil what to do with does not help him but instead,
encourages him to go overboard
     
( The ) race is to the swift   People who are able to overcome life's troubles quickly
or do things quickly have the advantage over others
     
Rats desert a sinking ship   When things go wrong in an organization, people tend to
abandon it
     
Repeating a life doesn't make it   Saying something is true when it is not just because you
true would like to believe it is so does not change the facts
     
Revenge is a dish best served   Revenge works well when the target least expects it
cold
     
Revenge is sweet   Some people feel good to be able to get back at someone
who has hurt them
     
Same meat, different gravy   The same thing presented differently
     
Scratch something and you'll find   When you know a person better, you will realize that he
a something is not all he seems to be
     
See which way the wind is   Test how things stand
blowing
     
Seek and ye shall find   When you set out to look for the truth with all your heart,
you will find it
     
Self trust is the first secret of   You need to believe in your abilities first of all in order to
success succeed in life
     
Set a thief to catch a thief   Use the skill and experience of one wrongdoer to catch
another
     
Silence gives consent   If you do not protest, object or say anything in response
to a proposal, plan etc. it means you are agreeable to it
     
Six of one and half a dozen of the   The same or nearly the same in one case as in the other
other
     
Slow and steady wins the race   Do things at your own pace and ability, and you will
succeed in time
     
Smile, and the world smiles with   People are usually ready to share in your happiness but
you; cry, and you cry alone not in your sadness
     
Something is better than nothing   Be thankful that you do have something, and do not
complain about how little you have
Speak of the devil and he's sure What you say when you are talking of someone, and he
to appear appears
 
Speak when you are spoken to Respond when you are asked a question
 
Starve a cold, feed a fever The best way to treat a cold is to skip a meal or two; the
best way to treat fever is to have a light meal
 
Sticks and stones may break The unkind words of small-minded people should not
my bones but words will never upset or depress you
hurt me
 
Stolen fruit is the sweetest Things that are forbidden to you seem to be the most
exciting or tempting
 
Success is a journey, not a The most treasured part of an achievement is the
destination experience and lessons you learn in the process
 
Sufficient unto the day is the Do not be troubled about the problems you may face
evil thereof tomorrow, as you have enough to contend with today
     
Take care of the pence, and the   Pay attention to the details and the larger issues will work
pounds will take care of out well enough
themselves
     
Talk is cheap   Talk that is not backed up with action is useless
     
Tell the truth and shame the   Tell the truth at all times
devil
     
The acorn never falls far from   Children tend to resemble their parents
the tree
 
The best laid schemes of mice No matter how well planned, your arrangements can go
and men often fail wrong because you do not control all events and cannot
see into the future
 
The best of friends must part   Even good friends sometimes need to part, if only for a
while
     
The best things come in small   Expensive things which are considered among the best
packages things, can come in small packages
     
The best things in life are free   The most important things in life such as love, kindness,
generosity etc. are free
     
The bigger they are, the harder   The bigger a problem the greater its impact
they fall
     
The calm comes before the   There is usually peace before disaster strikes
storm
     
The child is father to the man   Your experiences as a child mould you as an adult
     
The cure is worse than the   Some solutions seem worse than the problem
disease
     
The customer is always right   The guiding principle of the service industry is that the
customer must be satisfied, so never upset or contradict a
customer
     
The darkest hour is that before   Relief or victory comes just after the worst phase of a bad
the dawn situation
     
The eyes are the window of the   A person's eyes express his true feelings, thoughts etc
soul
     
The fat is in the fire   It is too late to do anything about a situation
     
The first step is the hardest   Starting is often the most difficult part of doing a job
     
The first step to health is to   You have to be willing to admit there is a problem before
know that we are sick you can change yourself, a bad situation etc
     
The head and feet keep warm,   If you take care of the important matters, everything else
the rest will take no harm will fall into place
     
The journey is the reward   The most valuable, fulfilling and exciting part of
achieving something is the work and effort put into the
endeavour
     
The least said, the soonest   The less you say during a quarrel, the greater chance
mended there is for you to patch up later
     
The longest mile is the last mile   The nearer you are to your destination, the further away
home from you it seems
     
The more acquaintance, the   The more casual friends you have, the greater the
more danger possibility that you will be led astray, betrayed etc
     
The more one knows, the less   The more information you have about something, the
one believes more unsure or suspicious you can become of it
     
The more things change, the   Some changes are only outward, the actual problems
more they stay the same remain the same
     
The more you get, the more   The more you have, the more you want to have because
you want greed grows in you
     
The more you know, the more   The more knowledge you acquire, the more aware you
you know you don't know are of how little you know about life
     
The nail that sticks out gets   People who stand out in a group because they are
pounded different or because they raise questions, issues are
quickly pressured into conforming with the rest of the
 group
     
The nearer the bone, the   The closer you get to your goal or objective, the more
sweeter the meat thrilled or excited you get
     
 

The only free cheese is in the Be careful when people offer you something for nothing,
mouse trap as they may be trying to trap or cheat you
 
The only stupid question is the The more questions you ask, the more you learn, so do
one that is not asked not be shy or afraid to ask questions
 
The proof of the pudding is in How good something is can only be verified by
the eating evaluating it
 
The road to hell is paved with A persons' good intentions are not enough to guarantee
good intentions success
 
The start of a journey should Do not assume you have succeeded at something when
never be mistaken for success you have only just started on it
 
The truth is in the wine People speak more freely when they are drunk, often
revealing secrets
 
The truth hurts Hearing the truth can sometimes be painful, especially
when you have been believing something else for a long
time
     
The weak can never forgive.   Only a morally strong person is able to forgive people
Forgiveness is the attribute of who have hurt him
the strong
     
The wish is father to the   Often, you think about and eventually act upon what you
thought wish for
     
There are no endings, only new   Do not think of an ending as the end of something but as
beginnings the beginning of a new cycle or phase
     
There are no small parts, only   A good actor is able to make any role interesting and
small actors realistic, no matter how insignificant it may be
 
There only only twenty-four Time is a limited resource, so use it wisely
hours in a day
 
There is a time and a place for   Act according to the occasion
everything
     
There is many a slip 'twixt the   Anything can go wrong at any time before a matter is
cup and the lip settled
     
There is many at a true word   A remark, such as something about a person's character,
that is spoken in jest that is said jokingly, is often true to some extent
     
There is no fool like an old fool   When an older person acts silly, he appears really
ridiculous because at his age, he is expected to be wise
and sensible
     
There no honor among thieves   You cannot trust a thief
     
There is no point arguing with   It is pointless trying to argue with a very angry or violent
the barrel of a gun person
     
There is no such thing as a free   Nothing comes free
lunch
     
Thee is no venom like that of   The cruel things people sometimes say to one another can
the tongue hurt more than the deadliest poison can
     
There is nothing new under the   There is nothing in the world that has not been seen,
sun heard, discovered, experienced before
     
There is one law for the rich,   When the law is unjust and does not treat people fairly,
and another for the poor but considers their wealth and status before deciding to
help them
     
There is safety in numbers   You are safer when others are around
     
They who dance must pay the   You must be ready to accept the consequences of your
fiddler actions
     
Think before you speak   Think before you say anything so that you do not say
something foolish or hurtful
     
Those who live in glass houses   People with obvious faults should not criticse the faults
should not throw stones of others because they are themselves targets for criticism
     
Time cures all things   With time, people are likely to forgive and forget hurts
     
Time flies   Time seems to move very fast when you are having fun
or doing something urgent
     
Time is a great healer   Time allows people to forgive and forget past hurts,
injuries and loss as memories fade, and people become
wiser and more mature
     
Time is money   Time is valuable, especially to business people, and
should not be wasted
     
Time the deed to the need   Offer help when it is needed, and not when it is
convenient for you
     
To understand all is to forgive   When you know why a person behaves in a certain way,
all you can forgive him what he does and says
     
Tomorrow is another day   Tomorrow is a new day which gives you the opportunity
to start over
     
Tomorrow never comes   If you do not do something today you will probably not
do it the next day either
     
Try not to become a man of   Good character and moral strength are more valuable
success but a man of value than material success
     
Two things prolong your life: a   Inner peace and a reliable life partner are a blessing to
quiet heart and a loving wife anyone
     
Unity is strength Unity brings strength to a team
 
United we stand, divided we fall Unity bring strength to a team
 
Virtue is its own reward You should not expect payment for doing things that you
should do or for acting in a morally correct way
 
Walls have ears, shoes have Be careful what you say and who you speak to
tongues
 
We never miss the water till the People do not notice or appreciate an advantage, strength
well is dry until they suddenly etc lose it
  
What goes around, comes around How you treat people is how you will eventually be
treated
 
What goes up must come down Things will return to their natural state eventually
     
What is learnt in the cradle lasts   Everything you learn in life stays with you till you die
to the tomb
     
What is sauce for the goose is   What is good for one person ought to be good enough for
sauce for the gander anyone else
     
What you lose on the swings you   The disadvantages you suffer in one area are equaled or
gain on the roundabouts cancelled by the advantages you win in others
     
What you sow is what you reap   You have to face the consequences of your actions
 
When one sows the wind one When you live too fast-paced or dangerous a life, be
reaps the whirlwind prepared for trouble or danger
 
When the going gets tough, the   Often, when things become difficult, people who seemed
tough get going strong o who promised to help you leave you because
they cannot take the pressure
     
Wilful waste makes woeful want   Do not waste anything thoughtlessly because you may
need it later
     
Winning isn't everything   Success is not everything, what you learn in the process
of becoming successful is more important
     
You can't have things both ways   You cannot avoid making a choice in some situations
     
You can't make an omelette   You have to sacrifice something in order to gain
without breaking the eggs something else
     
You can't please everyone   You cannot make everyone happy at the same time --
someone is going to be unhappy with your actions
     
You can't shoe a running horse   If you want help, or if you are in trouble, you will need to
stop and ask for help
     
You could go a lot further and   You are better off now because things could have been
fare a lot worse worse for you
     
You need to bait the hook to   You need to prepare the necessary materials or items
catch the fish before you can actually get something done
     
You will never know till you   You have to experience something yourself before you
have tried it know what it is all about
     
You win some, you lose some   In life, you have to expect to win and lose
     
Youth and age will never agree   The young and the old do not always see eye to eye