Proverbs are short sayings that express observations, advice, warnings, or lessons drawn from human experience. They exist in cultures across the world and are often passed from one generation to another. Collections from Oxford, universities and specialist proverb archives document thousands of these sayings in different languages and traditions.
A proverb should not always be treated as a literal scientific statement. Many use metaphor, exaggeration or imagery to communicate a lesson. The examples below are illustrative examples showing how the meaning can be applied in everyday life.
1 to 100
1. A bad penny always turns up.
Meaning: Someone or something unwanted may return repeatedly.
Example: He keeps leaving the company but always comes back looking for work.
2. A barking dog never bites.
Meaning: People who make loud threats do not always act on them.
Example: He threatens everyone, but rarely follows through.
3. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Meaning: Something certain is often more valuable than something uncertain.
Example: She accepted the confirmed job rather than waiting for two uncertain offers.
4. A cat may look at a king.
Meaning: Even someone of lower status has basic rights and dignity.
Example: The junior employee was allowed to question the director.
5. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Meaning: A group or system can be limited by its weakest part.
Example: The project failed because one essential department was unprepared.
6. A change is as good as a rest.
Meaning: A different activity or environment can refresh you.
Example: She changed her routine and returned to work feeling refreshed.
7. A dog is a man’s best friend.
Meaning: Dogs are traditionally associated with loyalty and companionship.
Example: His dog stayed beside him throughout the difficult period.
8. A drowning man will clutch at a straw.
Meaning: A desperate person may try even an unlikely solution.
Example: With the deadline approaching, he accepted the risky proposal.
9. A fool and his money are soon parted.
Meaning: Careless people can quickly lose their money.
Example: He bought the expensive product without checking whether it worked.
10. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Meaning: A true friend shows support during difficult times.
Example: She helped him when everyone else disappeared.
11. A golden key can open any door.
Meaning: Money or influence can sometimes provide access or opportunities.
Example: His financial resources helped him gain access to expensive services.
12. A good beginning makes a good ending.
Meaning: Starting something properly can contribute to a successful result.
Example: Careful planning at the beginning made the project easier to complete.
13. A good man is hard to find.
Meaning: A genuinely reliable person may be difficult to find.
Example: After several bad experiences, she appreciated her dependable colleague.
14. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Meaning: Internal conflict can destroy unity.
Example: The organization struggled because its leaders constantly fought each other.
15. A house is not a home.
Meaning: A building becomes a home through the people and relationships within it.
Example: After his family moved away, the large house no longer felt like home.
16. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Meaning: Large achievements begin with small actions.
Example: Writing one page each day eventually completed her book.
17. A leopard cannot change its spots.
Meaning: A person’s established character can be difficult to change.
Example: He repeatedly broke his promises, just as he had done before.
18. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Meaning: Limited knowledge can create false confidence.
Example: He attempted the repair after watching one short video and damaged the machine.
19. A little of what you fancy does you good.
Meaning: Small pleasures can be enjoyable when kept in moderation.
Example: She occasionally enjoys her favorite dessert without making it a daily habit.
20. A man is known by the company he keeps.
Meaning: People’s associations can influence how others perceive them.
Example: His close association with dishonest traders damaged his reputation.
21. A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client.
Meaning: People can make poor decisions when they represent themselves in complex legal matters.
Example: He chose professional legal advice instead of handling the complicated case alone.
22. A miss is as good as a mile.
Meaning: A narrow failure is still a failure.
Example: Missing the deadline by ten minutes still meant losing the opportunity.
23. A new broom sweeps clean.
Meaning: A new leader often introduces changes.
Example: The new manager immediately reorganized the office.
24. A nod is as good as a wink.
Meaning: A subtle signal can communicate agreement or understanding.
Example: She nodded, and he understood that the plan was approved.
25. A penny saved is a penny earned.
Meaning: Saving money is financially valuable.
Example: By avoiding unnecessary expenses, she built up her savings.
26. A person is known by the company he keeps.
Meaning: The people someone associates with can reveal or influence reputation.
Example: His close friends were known for honest business practices.
27. A picture paints a thousand words.
Meaning: An image can communicate an idea more powerfully than many words.
Example: The photograph immediately showed the extent of the damage.
28. A place for everything and everything in its place.
Meaning: Organization makes things easier to find and manage.
Example: She keeps every document in its assigned folder.
29. A poor workman always blames his tools.
Meaning: Someone who performs badly may blame external circumstances instead of accepting responsibility.
Example: Rather than improve his technique, he blamed the equipment.
30. A problem shared is a problem halved.
Meaning: Discussing a difficulty can make it easier to manage.
Example: Talking to her colleague helped her find a solution.
31. A prophet is not recognized in his own land.
Meaning: People close to someone may fail to appreciate that person’s abilities.
Example: His local community ignored his talent until outsiders noticed it.
32. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Meaning: General improvement can benefit many people.
Example: Growth in the local economy created opportunities for several businesses.
33. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Meaning: Someone who constantly moves or changes may avoid becoming settled.
Example: He changes jobs frequently and rarely stays anywhere long.
34. A soft answer turns away wrath.
Meaning: Calm speech can reduce anger and conflict.
Example: Instead of arguing, she responded politely and the disagreement ended.
35. A stitch in time saves nine.
Meaning: Solving a small problem early can prevent a larger one later.
Example: Repairing the leaking roof immediately prevented serious damage.
36. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Meaning: Beautiful things can provide lasting pleasure.
Example: The artwork continued to bring visitors pleasure years after it was created.
37. A trouble shared is a trouble halved.
Meaning: Sharing a difficulty can make it feel more manageable.
Example: Discussing the problem with her family helped her cope with it.
38. A volunteer is worth twenty pressed men.
Meaning: Someone who willingly participates may contribute more enthusiastically than someone forced to participate.
Example: The volunteer team worked with remarkable enthusiasm.
39. A watched pot never boils.
Meaning: Something seems to take longer when you anxiously wait for it.
Example: The more he checked the email, the longer the reply seemed to take.
40. A word to the wise is enough.
Meaning: An intelligent person should understand advice without repeated warnings.
Example: After one warning, she understood exactly what needed to change.
41. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Meaning: Being separated from someone can increase affection for them.
Example: After months apart, the friends appreciated each other even more.
42. Actions speak louder than words.
Meaning: What people do can reveal more than what they say.
Example: He promised to help, but his actions showed his real commitment.
43. Adversity makes strange bedfellows.
Meaning: Difficult circumstances can bring unlikely people together.
Example: Two competing businesses cooperated during the crisis.
44. After a storm comes a calm.
Meaning: Difficult periods are often followed by calmer times.
Example: After months of conflict, the family eventually found peace.
45. All good things must come to an end.
Meaning: Pleasant experiences eventually finish.
Example: Their wonderful holiday eventually came to an end.
46. All is grist that comes to the mill.
Meaning: Almost any circumstance can provide something useful.
Example: She used every experience as an opportunity to learn.
47. All roads lead to Rome.
Meaning: Different approaches can lead to the same destination or result.
Example: The two teams used different methods but achieved the same goal.
48. All that glitters is not gold.
Meaning: Attractive appearances do not guarantee real value.
Example: The expensive-looking product turned out to be poorly made.
49. All things come to those who wait.
Meaning: Patience can eventually bring results.
Example: His years of preparation finally produced an opportunity.
50. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Meaning: A life consisting entirely of work can become unhealthy or monotonous.
Example: She takes regular breaks rather than working continuously.
51. All’s fair in love and war.
Meaning: Traditional saying suggesting that unusual rules may be accepted in intense competition or conflict.
Example: The rivals used very different strategies to win the contract.
52. All’s well that ends well.
Meaning: A difficult experience can be considered successful if it ends satisfactorily.
Example: The journey was stressful, but everyone arrived safely.
53. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Meaning: The saying promotes healthy eating and general care for one’s health. It is traditional advice, not a literal medical guarantee.
Example: She includes fruit in her daily diet as part of a healthy routine.
54. An army marches on its stomach.
Meaning: People performing demanding work need adequate food and supplies.
Example: The organizers made sure the workers had enough food during the long event.
55. An Englishman’s home is his castle.
Meaning: Traditionally, a person’s home is regarded as a private place where they have authority.
Example: He values having privacy in his own home.
56. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Meaning: Traditional expression describing equivalent retaliation or punishment.
Example: The phrase was used to describe a demand for matching retaliation.
57. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Meaning: Preventing a problem can be easier than dealing with it after it happens.
Example: Regular maintenance can prevent expensive repairs.
58. Another day, another dollar.
Meaning: A new day brings another opportunity to work and earn.
Example: He arrived at work ready for another busy day.
59. Any port in a storm.
Meaning: In difficult circumstances, an imperfect solution may still be useful.
Example: With all hotels full, they accepted the available accommodation.
60. Appearances can be deceptive.
Meaning: Things may not be what they first seem.
Example: The simple-looking building contained a sophisticated studio.
61. April showers bring forth May flowers.
Meaning: Difficult or unpleasant periods can be followed by better times.
Example: She reminded herself that setbacks could eventually lead to new opportunities.
62. As thick as thieves.
Meaning: Describes people who are very close and familiar with one another.
Example: The two childhood friends remain extremely close.
63. As you make your bed, so you must lie upon it.
Meaning: People must live with the consequences of their choices.
Example: After ignoring the warnings, he had to deal with the resulting problem.
64. As you sow, so shall you reap.
Meaning: Your actions can produce corresponding consequences.
Example: Her consistent effort eventually produced good results.
65. Ask a silly question, and you’ll get a silly answer.
Meaning: A poorly considered question may produce an unhelpful answer.
Example: He asked without checking the basic facts first.
66. Ask no questions and hear no lies.
Meaning: Sometimes people avoid uncomfortable information by avoiding questions.
Example: He preferred not to investigate the matter further.
67. Attack is the best form of defence.
Meaning: Taking initiative can sometimes prevent an opponent from gaining an advantage.
Example: The team attacked early rather than allowing its opponent to control the match.
68. Bad money drives out good.
Meaning: Inferior or poor-quality alternatives can sometimes displace better ones.
Example: Cheap products dominated the market while better products struggled to compete.
69. Bad news travels fast.
Meaning: Negative information often spreads quickly.
Example: Everyone knew about the closure within hours.
70. Be careful what you wish for.
Meaning: Getting what you want may produce unexpected consequences.
Example: He wanted a promotion but soon discovered that it brought much greater responsibility.
71. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Meaning: People have different opinions about what is beautiful.
Example: Some loved the unusual painting while others disliked it.
72. Beauty is only skin deep.
Meaning: External appearance does not reveal a person’s deeper qualities.
Example: The impressive appearance mattered less than the person’s character.
73. Beggars cannot be choosers.
Meaning: Someone in a weak position may have limited ability to demand exactly what they want.
Example: Because the room was free, they accepted its modest condition.
74. Better late than never.
Meaning: Doing something late can still be better than never doing it.
Example: He finally started saving money at age forty.
75. Better safe than sorry.
Meaning: Taking reasonable precautions can prevent regret.
Example: She carried an umbrella because rain was possible.
76. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.
Meaning: People sometimes prefer a familiar difficulty to an unknown one.
Example: He hesitated to leave a familiar job for an uncertain opportunity.
77. Better to give than to receive.
Meaning: Giving can be deeply rewarding.
Example: She enjoyed helping others more than receiving gifts.
78. Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
Meaning: Taking constructive action is more useful than simply complaining.
Example: Instead of complaining about the problem, they started fixing it.
79. Better to remain silent than to speak and remove all doubt.
Meaning: Speaking carelessly can expose ignorance.
Example: He chose to listen because he did not understand the subject.
80. Between two stools, one falls to the ground.
Meaning: Trying to occupy two positions can result in failing at both.
Example: He tried to serve two competing clients and lost both contracts.
81. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
Meaning: Attractive gifts or offers may conceal a hidden danger.
Example: The unusually generous offer made the company investigate the conditions carefully.
82. Big fish eat little fish.
Meaning: Powerful people or organizations can dominate weaker ones.
Example: The large corporation acquired several smaller competitors.
83. Birds of a feather flock together.
Meaning: People with similar interests or characteristics often associate with one another.
Example: The entrepreneurs quickly became friends because they shared similar ambitions.
84. Blood is thicker than water.
Meaning: Family relationships are traditionally considered especially strong.
Example: He supported his relative during a difficult period.
85. Boys will be boys.
Meaning: Traditional expression used to excuse certain childish or mischievous behavior by boys.
Example: The adults used the phrase when discussing the children’s harmless mischief.
86. Bread always falls buttered side down.
Meaning: Humorous expression about unfortunate events seeming to happen at inconvenient times.
Example: His toast landed butter-side down just before breakfast.
87. Brevity is the soul of wit.
Meaning: Concise expression can be effective and intelligent.
Example: The editor shortened the paragraph without losing its meaning.
88. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Meaning: Do not assume success before it is certain.
Example: She waited for the signed contract before celebrating the deal.
89. Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it.
Meaning: Do not worry about a problem before it actually arises.
Example: He decided not to worry about next month’s problem yet.
90. Don’t cry over spilled milk.
Meaning: There is little value in dwelling on something that cannot be changed.
Example: After missing the flight, she immediately focused on finding another one.
91. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Meaning: Do not risk everything on one option.
Example: The investor spread money across several investments.
92. Don’t put the cart before the horse.
Meaning: Do things in the proper order.
Example: They needed to secure funding before ordering equipment.
93. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Meaning: Do not discard something valuable while trying to remove something undesirable.
Example: The company changed the policy without abandoning the useful parts of it.
94. Don’t put new wine into old bottles.
Meaning: A new idea may not fit an unsuitable old system.
Example: The company needed new technology instead of forcing modern work into outdated systems.
95. Don’t rock the boat.
Meaning: Avoid unnecessary actions that could disturb a stable situation.
Example: The team decided to resolve the disagreement quietly.
96. Don’t shoot the messenger.
Meaning: Do not punish someone merely for delivering unpleasant information.
Example: The manager thanked the employee for reporting the problem.
97. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Meaning: Do not allow minor problems to cause excessive worry.
Example: She ignored the small formatting error and focused on the important work.
98. Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs.
Meaning: Do not explain something basic to someone who already knows it well.
Example: The experienced chef did not need instructions on basic cooking techniques.
99. Don’t throw good money after bad.
Meaning: Do not keep investing resources in something that is already failing.
Example: They stopped spending money on the unsuccessful project.
100. Don’t try to run before you can walk.
Meaning: Learn basic skills before attempting more difficult tasks.
Example: He learned the fundamentals before attempting advanced programming.
101 to 200
101. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
Meaning: Traditional advice emphasizing regular sleep and disciplined habits.
102. Easy come, easy go.
Meaning: Things obtained easily may be lost just as easily.
103. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
Meaning: Traditional expression encouraging enjoyment of life because life is temporary.
104. Empty vessels make the most noise.
Meaning: People with little substance may sometimes speak the loudest.
105. Enough is as good as a feast.
Meaning: Having sufficient amounts can be as satisfying as having excess.
106. Even a worm will turn.
Meaning: A person who is repeatedly mistreated may eventually resist.
107. Every cloud has a silver lining.
Meaning: Difficult situations may contain some positive possibility.
108. Every dog has its day.
Meaning: Everyone gets an opportunity or period of success eventually.
109. Every little helps.
Meaning: Small contributions can collectively make a difference.
110. Every man for himself.
Meaning: In some difficult situations, people may have to rely on themselves.
111. Every man has his price.
Meaning: Traditional saying suggesting that people may sometimes be persuaded by an attractive enough offer.
112. Every picture tells a story.
Meaning: Images can communicate experiences or information.
113. Every stick has two ends.
Meaning: A situation may have more than one side or consequence.
114. Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.
Meaning: People may want desirable outcomes without accepting the difficult conditions associated with them.
115. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Meaning: Lack of preparation can make failure more likely.
116. Faint heart never won fair lady.
Meaning: Traditional saying suggesting that courage is sometimes necessary to pursue difficult goals.
117. Fair exchange is no robbery.
Meaning: A mutually agreed exchange is not unfair simply because both parties benefit.
118. Faith will move mountains.
Meaning: Strong belief and determination can help people overcome major obstacles.
119. Familiarity breeds contempt.
Meaning: Excessive familiarity can sometimes reduce respect or appreciation.
120. Fight fire with fire.
Meaning: Respond to an aggressive tactic using a similar tactic.
121. Finders keepers, losers weepers.
Meaning: Humorous saying suggesting that whoever finds something may keep it, although actual ownership depends on applicable rules and law.
122. Fine words butter no parsnips.
Meaning: Attractive promises are useless without practical action.
123. First come, first served.
Meaning: People who arrive first receive priority.
124. First impressions are the most lasting.
Meaning: Initial impressions can strongly influence later opinions.
125. First things first.
Meaning: Deal with the most important matters before less important ones.
126. Fish and guests smell after three days.
Meaning: Traditional humorous saying suggesting that guests may become unwelcome if they stay too long.
127. Flattery will get you nowhere.
Meaning: Compliments alone may not achieve the desired result.
128. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Meaning: Inexperienced people may act where cautious people would hesitate.
129. For everything there is a season.
Meaning: Different activities and experiences have their appropriate time.
130. For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
Meaning: A small neglected problem can lead to much larger consequences.
131. Forewarned is forearmed.
Meaning: Knowing about a possible problem allows better preparation.
132. Forgive and forget.
Meaning: Let go of resentment after an offence has been addressed.
133. Fortune favours the brave.
Meaning: Courageous action can create opportunities.
134. From the sublime to the ridiculous is only one step.
Meaning: A situation can move quickly from impressive to absurd.
135. Genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains.
Meaning: Great achievement can require sustained effort.
136. Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.
Meaning: Traditional saying emphasizing hard work alongside inspiration.
137. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.
Meaning: Providing a temporary solution is different from teaching a lasting skill.
138. Give a dog a bad name and hang him.
Meaning: Once someone has a bad reputation, others may treat them unfairly.
139. Give a man enough rope and he will hang himself.
Meaning: Someone given too much freedom to behave badly may eventually expose their own wrongdoing.
140. Give credit where credit is due.
Meaning: Recognize people for achievements they genuinely deserve.
141. Give the devil his due.
Meaning: Even someone disliked may deserve recognition for a particular merit.
142. Go the extra mile.
Meaning: Make an additional effort beyond what is expected.
143. God helps those who help themselves.
Meaning: People should take action rather than simply wait for assistance.
144. Good fences make good neighbours.
Meaning: Clear boundaries can help maintain good relationships.
145. Good things come in small packages.
Meaning: Something small can still have great value.
146. Good things come to those who wait.
Meaning: Patience can sometimes bring worthwhile results.
147. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Meaning: Other people’s circumstances can appear better than one’s own.
148. Great minds think alike.
Meaning: People can independently arrive at similar ideas.
149. Great oaks from little acorns grow.
Meaning: Large achievements can begin with small beginnings.
150. Half a loaf is better than no bread.
Meaning: Something is better than nothing when choices are limited.
151. Handsome is as handsome does.
Meaning: Good character and behavior matter more than appearance.
152. Hard cases make bad law.
Meaning: Exceptional cases can create poor general rules when used as the basis for law.
153. Hard work never did anyone any harm.
Meaning: Productive effort is traditionally valued.
154. Haste makes waste.
Meaning: Excessive speed can lead to mistakes.
155. He that goes borrowing goes sorrowing.
Meaning: Borrowing can create financial obligations and difficulties.
156. He who fights and runs away may live to fight another day.
Meaning: Retreat can sometimes preserve the ability to continue later.
157. He who hesitates is lost.
Meaning: Excessive hesitation can cause someone to miss an opportunity.
158. He who laughs last laughs longest.
Meaning: The final result matters more than early appearances.
159. He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.
Meaning: Violence can bring consequences back upon those who use it.
160. He who pays the piper calls the tune.
Meaning: The person who provides the money often has influence over decisions.
161. He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon.
Meaning: Deal cautiously with dangerous or untrustworthy people.
162. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Meaning: Traditional literary saying describing intense anger after rejection or betrayal.
163. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty.
Meaning: Past events often seem clearer after their consequences are known.
164. History repeats itself.
Meaning: Similar patterns can recur across different periods.
165. Home is where the heart is.
Meaning: Home is associated with emotional belonging rather than simply a physical location.
166. Honesty is the best policy.
Meaning: Truthfulness is traditionally regarded as a sound approach to relationships and conduct.
167. Honey catches more flies than vinegar.
Meaning: Kindness and pleasant behavior can be more effective than hostility.
168. Hope springs eternal.
Meaning: People often continue to hope even in difficult circumstances.
169. Horses for courses.
Meaning: Different people or things are suited to different situations.
170. If anything can go wrong, it will.
Meaning: Humorous expression about anticipating possible problems.
171. If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.
Meaning: Tasks worth undertaking deserve proper effort.
172. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again.
Meaning: Persistence can help overcome failure.
173. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Meaning: Do not change something that already works effectively without a good reason.
174. If life deals you lemons, make lemonade.
Meaning: Try to turn an unpleasant situation into something useful.
175. If the cap fits, wear it.
Meaning: If a criticism accurately applies to you, accept it.
176. If the shoe fits, wear it.
Meaning: If a description or criticism applies to you, accept it.
177. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Meaning: Wishing alone cannot produce results.
178. If you can’t beat them, join them.
Meaning: Sometimes cooperation is more practical than continued opposition.
179. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
Meaning: People who cannot tolerate pressure may need to leave demanding situations.
180. If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.
Meaning: Association with bad influences can bring unwanted consequences.
181. If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Meaning: Very low compensation may make it difficult to attract highly skilled workers.
182. If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.
Meaning: Sometimes personal involvement is needed to achieve the desired standard.
183. Ignorance is bliss.
Meaning: Not knowing certain unpleasant information can sometimes make life feel easier.
184. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Meaning: Copying someone’s style can be interpreted as evidence that it is admired.
185. In for a penny, in for a pound.
Meaning: Once committed to something, a person may decide to commit fully.
186. In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Meaning: A person with limited ability can appear highly capable among people with even less ability.
187. Into every life a little rain must fall.
Meaning: Everyone experiences difficulties at some point.
188. It never rains but it pours.
Meaning: Problems sometimes seem to arrive in clusters.
189. It takes a thief to catch a thief.
Meaning: Someone familiar with wrongdoing may understand how to detect it.
190. It takes all sorts to make a world.
Meaning: Society contains many different kinds of people.
191. It takes one to know one.
Meaning: Someone may recognize a quality because they possess it themselves.
192. It takes two to tango.
Meaning: Some situations require participation by two people.
193. It’s all grist to the mill.
Meaning: Almost any experience can be turned to useful purpose.
194. It’s better to give than to receive.
Meaning: Giving can bring its own satisfaction.
195. It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Meaning: Experiencing love may be considered valuable even when it ends.
196. It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
Meaning: Action is more useful than complaining about a problem.
197. It’s better to travel hopefully than to arrive.
Meaning: The experience of pursuing a goal can itself be valuable.
198. It’s easy to be wise after the event.
Meaning: It is easier to understand what should have happened after the outcome is known.
199. It’s never too late.
Meaning: A worthwhile action can still be started later than originally planned.
200. It’s no use crying over spilt milk.
Meaning: Regretting an irreversible event does not change it.
201 to 300
201. It’s no use shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Meaning: Preventive action is useless if taken only after the damage has occurred.
202. It’s the early bird that catches the worm.
Meaning: Acting early can provide an advantage.
203. It’s the empty can that makes the most noise.
Meaning: People with little substance may sometimes make the most noise.
204. It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.
Meaning: Problems that receive attention are more likely to be addressed.
205. Jack of all trades, master of none.
Meaning: Someone with many skills may lack deep expertise in one area.
206. Jam tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today.
Meaning: Promised benefits may always be postponed instead of delivered now.
207. Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Meaning: Avoid judging others harshly because you may also be judged.
208. Keep your chin up.
Meaning: Remain positive and resilient during difficulty.
209. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Meaning: Traditional advice suggesting that close awareness of opponents can help you understand their actions.
210. Keep your powder dry.
Meaning: Stay prepared and preserve your resources for when they are needed.
211. Know which side your bread is buttered.
Meaning: Understand where your interests or advantages lie.
212. Laughter is the best medicine.
Meaning: Humor can provide emotional relief and comfort. It is traditional advice, not a medical treatment.
213. Least said, soonest mended.
Meaning: Avoiding unnecessary discussion can sometimes help resolve a dispute.
214. Less is more.
Meaning: Simplicity can be more effective than excess.
215. Let bygones be bygones.
Meaning: Leave past disagreements behind.
216. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Meaning: Do not disturb a situation that is currently quiet if doing so could create trouble.
217. Live and let live.
Meaning: Allow other people to live according to their own choices.
218. Look before you leap.
Meaning: Think carefully before taking action.
219. Make hay while the sun shines.
Meaning: Take advantage of favorable conditions while they last.
220. Many hands make light work.
Meaning: A task becomes easier when several people cooperate.
221. Many a little makes a mickle.
Meaning: Small amounts can accumulate into something substantial.
222. No man is an island.
Meaning: People need relationships and community.
223. No pain, no gain.
Meaning: Significant improvement may require effort or sacrifice.
224. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Meaning: Avoiding all risks can also mean missing opportunities.
225. Opportunity seldom knocks twice.
Meaning: Some opportunities may not return.
226. Opposites attract.
Meaning: People with contrasting characteristics may sometimes be drawn to one another.
227. Out of sight, out of mind.
Meaning: People may think less about things they no longer see or encounter.
228. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
Meaning: Escaping one problem can lead directly into another, sometimes worse one.
229. Paddle your own canoe.
Meaning: Take responsibility for managing your own affairs.
230. Patience is a virtue.
Meaning: The ability to wait calmly is traditionally considered a valuable quality.
231. Pearls of wisdom.
Meaning: Valuable pieces of advice or insight.
232. The pen is mightier than the sword.
Meaning: Ideas and writing can sometimes exert more lasting influence than force.
233. Penny wise and pound foolish.
Meaning: Saving small amounts while making larger wasteful decisions is poor judgment.
234. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Meaning: Do not criticize others for faults you also possess.
235. Possession is nine points of the law.
Meaning: Possession has traditionally been treated as giving someone a strong practical position in disputes over ownership.
236. Practice makes perfect.
Meaning: Repeated practice can improve skill.
237. Practice what you preach.
Meaning: Your actions should match the advice you give others.
238. Prevention is better than cure.
Meaning: Preventing a problem can be preferable to dealing with it afterward.
239. Pride comes before a fall.
Meaning: Excessive pride can contribute to failure.
240. Procrastination is the thief of time.
Meaning: Delaying tasks wastes opportunities and time.
241. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Meaning: The quality of something is demonstrated by its actual results or use.
242. Put the cart before the horse.
Meaning: Do things in the wrong order.
243. Put your best foot forward.
Meaning: Make the best impression you can.
244. Put your shoulder to the wheel.
Meaning: Work hard and contribute actively.
245. Rain before seven, fine before eleven.
Meaning: Traditional weather saying suggesting that early rain may clear later in the day. It is a traditional weather proverb, not a guaranteed forecast.
246. Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning.
Meaning: Traditional weather lore linking red skies with possible weather conditions. It is an observation-based saying, not a universal forecast.
247. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Meaning: Traditional saying suggesting that retaliation is more effective when carried out calmly rather than impulsively.
248. Revenge is sweet.
Meaning: Traditional saying expressing the idea that people may feel satisfaction after obtaining revenge.
249. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Meaning: Good intentions do not guarantee good results.
250. Rob Peter to pay Paul.
Meaning: Solve one financial problem by creating another.
251. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
Meaning: Traditional expression about refusing to engage with or acknowledge wrongdoing.
252. Seeing is believing.
Meaning: Direct evidence can make something easier to accept.
253. Seek and you shall find.
Meaning: Persistent searching can lead to discovery.
254. Set a thief to catch a thief.
Meaning: Someone familiar with wrongdoing may be useful in detecting it.
255. Share and share alike.
Meaning: Divide something equally among the participants.
256. The shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot.
Meaning: Professionals may neglect their own needs while serving others.
257. Shrouds have no pockets.
Meaning: Wealth cannot be taken with you after death.
258. Silence is golden.
Meaning: Sometimes remaining silent is more valuable than speaking.
259. Slow but sure.
Meaning: Steady progress can be dependable.
260. Softly, softly, catchee monkey.
Meaning: Patience and careful action can succeed where force or haste may fail.
261. Spare the rod and spoil the child.
Meaning: Traditional saying arguing for strict discipline. Modern views on child discipline differ, and the saying should not be treated as evidence that physical punishment is beneficial.
262. Speak as you find.
Meaning: Describe people or things according to your honest experience.
263. Speak softly and carry a big stick.
Meaning: Combine calm communication with the ability to act decisively.
264. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Meaning: Traditional saying encouraging resilience against verbal insults.
265. Still waters run deep.
Meaning: Quiet people may possess considerable thought, knowledge or feeling beneath the surface.
266. Strike while the iron is hot.
Meaning: Act while conditions are favorable.
267. Stupid is as stupid does.
Meaning: Behavior, rather than labels, demonstrates foolishness.
268. Success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan.
Meaning: People readily claim credit for success but may avoid responsibility for failure.
269. Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.
Meaning: Careful attention to small expenses can support financial management.
270. Talk is cheap.
Meaning: Words are easy; meaningful action requires effort.
271. Talk of the devil, and he is bound to appear.
Meaning: The person being discussed may unexpectedly appear.
272. Tell the truth and shame the devil.
Meaning: Truthfulness is traditionally presented as a way to defeat deception or wrongdoing.
273. That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
Meaning: Difficult experiences can sometimes build resilience.
274. The best defence is a good offence.
Meaning: Taking initiative can sometimes prevent an opponent from gaining control.
275. The best is the enemy of the good.
Meaning: Pursuing perfection can prevent an acceptable solution from being completed.
276. The best things in life are free.
Meaning: Some of life’s most valuable experiences do not require money.
277. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Meaning: Powerful or highly prominent people may experience dramatic setbacks when they fail.
278. The bread always falls buttered side down.
Meaning: Humorous expression about bad luck occurring at inconvenient moments.
279. The child is father to the man.
Meaning: A person’s childhood character can influence the adult they become.
280. The cobbler always wears the worst shoes.
Meaning: People sometimes neglect their own needs while serving others professionally.
281. The course of true love never did run smooth.
Meaning: Romantic relationships can involve difficulties and obstacles.
282. The customer is always right.
Meaning: Traditional business saying emphasizing attention to customers’ needs, although it is not literally true in every dispute.
283. The darkest hour is just before the dawn.
Meaning: A difficult period may precede improvement.
284. The devil is in the details.
Meaning: Small details can contain important difficulties or complications.
285. The devil makes work for idle hands.
Meaning: People without constructive activity may be more likely to get into trouble.
286. The early bird catches the worm.
Meaning: Early action can create an advantage.
287. The end justifies the means.
Meaning: Traditional expression suggesting that a desirable outcome can justify the methods used to achieve it.
288. The exception proves the rule.
Meaning: A stated exception can imply that a general rule exists. The expression is often misunderstood in modern usage.
289. The female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Meaning: Literary saying portraying females of some species as more dangerous, though it is not a universal biological rule.
290. The good die young.
Meaning: Traditional expression lamenting the early deaths of admirable people.
291. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
Meaning: Traditional saying emphasizing the influence of mothers or caregivers in raising children.
292. The husband is always the last to know.
Meaning: Humorous traditional expression about someone being unaware of information concerning their own relationship.
293. The labourer is worthy of his hire.
Meaning: People deserve fair compensation for their work.
294. The law is an ass.
Meaning: Law can sometimes produce results that seem absurd or unjust.
295. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Meaning: Changes in appearance may leave underlying patterns unchanged.
296. The more the merrier.
Meaning: More participants can increase enjoyment in a social activity.
297. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Meaning: Traditional saying describing a perceived tendency for economic advantages and disadvantages to reinforce themselves.
298. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Meaning: Components working together can produce a result greater than their separate contributions.
299. There are no pockets in a shroud.
Meaning: Wealth cannot be taken beyond death.
300. There are none so blind as those who will not see.
Meaning: People who refuse to acknowledge evidence can be harder to convince than people who simply lack information.
301 to 400
301. There are none so deaf as those who will not hear.
Meaning: Someone deliberately refusing to listen may be harder to reach than someone who cannot hear.
302. There are two sides to every question.
Meaning: A dispute or issue may have different perspectives.
303. There but for the grace of God go I.
Meaning: Another person’s misfortune can remind us that we could experience similar circumstances.
304. There’s an exception to every rule.
Meaning: General rules may have circumstances that do not fit them.
305. There’s no accounting for taste.
Meaning: Personal preferences differ and cannot always be explained.
306. There’s no fool like an old fool.
Meaning: Foolish behavior can seem especially surprising when it comes from someone expected to have experience.
307. There’s no place like home.
Meaning: Home can provide a unique sense of comfort and belonging.
308. There’s no smoke without fire.
Meaning: Rumors may sometimes have some underlying cause, although the saying does not prove that every rumor is true.
309. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Meaning: Benefits often come with costs or conditions.
310. There’s no time like the present.
Meaning: The current moment is often a good time to begin.
311. There’s nothing new under the sun.
Meaning: Many ideas and experiences have existed in some form before.
312. There’s one born every minute.
Meaning: There will always be people who are inexperienced or easily persuaded.
313. There’s plenty more fish in the sea.
Meaning: Losing one opportunity or relationship does not mean there are no others.
314. They that sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind.
Meaning: Harmful actions can produce much larger consequences.
315. Third time lucky.
Meaning: After two failures, the third attempt is traditionally regarded as potentially successful.
316. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Meaning: Failing to learn from past mistakes can allow similar mistakes to recur.
317. Those who sleep with dogs will rise with fleas.
Meaning: Close association with harmful influences can bring unwanted consequences.
318. Time and tide wait for no man.
Meaning: Time and changing circumstances continue regardless of whether people are ready.
319. Time flies.
Meaning: Time can seem to pass quickly, especially when one is occupied or enjoying something.
320. Time is a great healer.
Meaning: Emotional pain can lessen as time passes.
321. Time is money.
Meaning: Time has economic value and should be used carefully.
322. Time will tell.
Meaning: Future events will reveal whether something is true or successful.
323. To err is human; to forgive divine.
Meaning: Humans make mistakes, while forgiveness is presented as a noble response.
324. To every thing there is a season.
Meaning: Different activities and experiences have their appropriate times.
325. To the victor go the spoils.
Meaning: Those who win traditionally receive the benefits associated with victory.
326. Tomorrow is another day.
Meaning: A new day can provide another opportunity.
327. Tomorrow never comes.
Meaning: Constantly postponing action can mean that the intended time never arrives.
328. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Meaning: Too many people controlling one task can make it worse.
329. Truth is stranger than fiction.
Meaning: Real events can sometimes be more surprising than invented stories.
330. Truth will out.
Meaning: Hidden facts may eventually become known.
331. Two heads are better than one.
Meaning: Collaboration can produce better ideas or solutions.
332. Two is company, but three’s a crowd.
Meaning: A third person can sometimes interfere with an activity or relationship involving two people.
333. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Meaning: One wrong action does not justify another.
334. Variety is the spice of life.
Meaning: Different experiences can make life more interesting.
335. Virtue is its own reward.
Meaning: Acting well can have value even without external recognition.
336. Wages of sin is death.
Meaning: Traditional religious expression describing severe consequences for wrongdoing.
337. Walls have ears.
Meaning: Private conversations may be overheard.
338. Waste not, want not.
Meaning: Avoiding waste can help ensure resources are available later.
339. What can’t be cured must be endured.
Meaning: When something cannot be changed, people must learn to cope with it.
340. What goes up must come down.
Meaning: Things that rise may eventually fall.
341. What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
Meaning: The same standard should apply to comparable people or situations.
342. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Meaning: Adapt to the customs of the place you are visiting.
343. When the cat’s away, the mice will play.
Meaning: People may behave more freely when authority is absent.
344. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Meaning: Difficult circumstances can call for determination and action.
345. What the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over.
Meaning: People may worry less about things they do not know or see.
346. Where there’s a will there’s a way.
Meaning: Strong determination can help people find ways around obstacles.
347. While there’s life there’s hope.
Meaning: As long as someone is alive, improvement or recovery remains possible.
348. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?
Meaning: If someone else can perform a task, there may be no reason to do it yourself.
349. Wonders will never cease.
Meaning: Events can continue to surprise us.
350. Work expands so as to fill the time available.
Meaning: A task can take longer when more time is available for it.
351. Worrying never did anyone any good.
Meaning: Excessive worry does not itself solve problems.
352. You are never too old to learn.
Meaning: Learning can continue throughout life.
353. You are what you eat.
Meaning: Traditional saying connecting diet with health or identity. It is an expression, not a literal scientific equation.
354. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Meaning: Kindness can be more persuasive than hostility.
355. You can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family.
Meaning: Friendships are chosen while family relationships are generally not.
356. You can have too much of a good thing.
Meaning: Excess can reduce the value or enjoyment of something good.
357. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
Meaning: You can provide an opportunity, but cannot force someone to use it.
358. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Meaning: Some choices require giving up one benefit to obtain another.
359. You can’t get blood out of a stone.
Meaning: You cannot obtain something from someone or something incapable of providing it.
360. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
Meaning: Poor raw material cannot easily be transformed into something of high quality.
361. You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.
Meaning: Some results require accepting unavoidable costs or disruption.
362. You can’t make bricks without straw.
Meaning: A project requires the necessary resources.
363. You can’t run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.
Meaning: You cannot fully support two opposing sides at the same time.
364. You can’t take it with you.
Meaning: Material possessions cannot be taken beyond death.
365. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Meaning: Established habits can be difficult to change.
366. You can’t judge a book by its cover.
Meaning: Appearance alone does not reveal quality or character.
367. You can’t win them all.
Meaning: No one succeeds in every attempt.
368. You reap what you sow.
Meaning: Actions can produce corresponding consequences.
369. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
Meaning: After choosing among options, you must accept the associated result.
370. You win some, you lose some.
Meaning: Success and failure are both part of life.
371. Youth is wasted on the young.
Meaning: Young people may not fully appreciate the advantages of youth until they are older.
372. A fish rots from the head down.
Meaning: Problems in an organization can begin with its leadership.
373. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Meaning: Serious internal division can weaken a group.
374. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Meaning: Major achievements start with an initial action.
375. A man’s home is his castle.
Meaning: A person’s home is traditionally regarded as a private domain.
376. A volunteer is worth twenty pressed men.
Meaning: Willing participation can produce strong motivation.
377. Accidents will happen.
Meaning: Unplanned mistakes and mishaps are unavoidable in life.
378. All publicity is good publicity.
Meaning: Traditional saying suggesting that attention can benefit public awareness, although negative publicity can also cause harm.
379. All things must pass.
Meaning: Circumstances, whether good or bad, eventually change.
380. An ill wind that blows no one any good.
Meaning: Even bad events can sometimes create benefits for someone.
381. Any port in a storm.
Meaning: Difficult conditions can make an imperfect refuge acceptable.
382. Attack is the best form of defence.
Meaning: Taking initiative can sometimes protect against an opponent.
383. Better to travel hopefully than to arrive.
Meaning: Anticipation and pursuit can be valuable experiences in themselves.
384. Big fish eat little fish.
Meaning: Powerful parties can dominate weaker ones.
385. Don’t leave your manners on the doorstep.
Meaning: Continue behaving politely wherever you go.
386. Don’t let the grass grow under your feet.
Meaning: Do not waste time before taking action.
387. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
Meaning: Do not criticize an unexpected gift too closely.
388. Don’t meet troubles halfway.
Meaning: Do not create additional anxiety by worrying unnecessarily about future problems.
389. Don’t mix business with pleasure.
Meaning: Keeping professional and personal matters separate can prevent complications.
390. Don’t spoil the ship for a ha’p’orth of tar.
Meaning: Do not ruin something valuable by refusing a small necessary expense.
391. Don’t shut the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Meaning: Preventive action is useless if taken after the damage has occurred.
392. Don’t upset the apple cart.
Meaning: Do not disturb an existing arrangement unnecessarily.
393. Don’t wash your dirty linen in public.
Meaning: Keep private disputes away from public attention.
394. Doubt is the beginning, not the end, of wisdom.
Meaning: Questioning assumptions can begin the process of understanding.
395. East is east and west is west.
Meaning: Different cultures or traditions can have distinct identities.
396. East, west, home’s best.
Meaning: Home is often considered the most comfortable place.
397. Easy to be wise after the event.
Meaning: It is easier to identify the correct decision after knowing the outcome.
398. Enough is enough.
Meaning: A situation has reached the point where further tolerance is unreasonable.
399. Every dark cloud has a silver lining.
Meaning: A difficult situation may contain something positive.
400. Every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost.
Meaning: In extreme competition, people may prioritize their own survival or interests.
401 to 500
401. Faith will move mountains.
Meaning: Strong belief and determination can help overcome major obstacles.
402. Feed a cold and starve a fever.
Meaning: Traditional health advice. It should not be treated as established medical guidance.
403. Fight the good fight.
Meaning: Continue pursuing a worthwhile cause despite difficulties.
404. Fire is a good servant but a bad master.
Meaning: Powerful things can be useful when controlled but dangerous when uncontrolled.
405. Flattery will get you nowhere.
Meaning: Compliments alone do not necessarily achieve a desired result.
406. Good talk saves the food.
Meaning: Conversation can make a meal or gathering more enjoyable.
407. He who can does, he who cannot teaches.
Meaning: A controversial saying contrasting practice and teaching. It is better treated as a traditional aphorism than an established fact about teachers.
408. If God had meant us to fly, he would have given us wings.
Meaning: Traditional humorous argument against attempting something believed unnatural or impossible.
409. If the mountain won’t come to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the mountain.
Meaning: If circumstances will not change, adapt your approach to them.
410. If you build it, they will come.
Meaning: Traditional saying suggesting that creating something worthwhile can attract an audience, though it is not a guarantee.
411. If you can’t be good, be careful.
Meaning: Humorous advice emphasizing caution when behaving improperly.
412. If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.
Meaning: Personal involvement may help achieve a desired standard.
413. In the midst of life we are in death.
Meaning: Traditional religious expression emphasizing human mortality.
414. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.
Meaning: Do not assume an outcome is final before the situation is actually finished.
415. It goes without saying.
Meaning: Something is considered obvious enough not to require explanation.
416. It’s the singer, not the song.
Meaning: The performer can influence how an audience experiences the material.
417. Jam tomorrow.
Meaning: A promised benefit that is repeatedly postponed.
418. Keep something under your hat.
Meaning: Keep information secret.
419. Let not the sun go down on your wrath.
Meaning: Resolve anger rather than allowing resentment to continue.
420. One law for the rich and another law for the poor.
Meaning: Traditional expression describing perceived unequal treatment under rules or institutions.
421. One swallow does not make a summer.
Meaning: One example does not establish a general pattern.
422. One year’s seeding makes seven years’ weeding.
Meaning: One careless act can create long-lasting consequences.
423. Only fools and horses work.
Meaning: Humorous saying suggesting that excessive hard work can be foolish.
424. Opportunity never knocks twice at any man’s door.
Meaning: Some opportunities may not return.
425. Paddle your own canoe.
Meaning: Manage your own affairs and take responsibility for yourself.
426. Parsley seed goes nine times to the Devil.
Meaning: Traditional gardening saying about the difficulty of growing parsley from seed.
427. Physician, heal thyself.
Meaning: People should address their own problems before advising others about theirs.
428. Price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
Meaning: Traditional political maxim emphasizing the importance of continued attention to freedom and institutions.
429. Quid pro quo.
Meaning: Something given in exchange for something else.
430. Revenge is sweet.
Meaning: Traditional expression describing the satisfaction some people may feel after retaliation.
431. See a pin and pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck.
Meaning: Traditional superstition associating finding and picking up a pin with good luck.
432. See a pin and let it lie, bad luck you’ll have all day.
Meaning: Traditional superstition about leaving a found pin untouched.
433. Shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot.
Meaning: Professionals sometimes neglect their own needs.
434. Speak softly and carry a big stick.
Meaning: Calm diplomacy can be combined with the ability to act decisively.
435. Success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan.
Meaning: People often claim responsibility for success but avoid blame for failure.
436. The age of miracles is past.
Meaning: Expression of skepticism that extraordinary events will occur.
437. The bottom line is the bottom line.
Meaning: The final result or essential consideration remains decisive.
438. The Devil has all the best tunes.
Meaning: Attractive or entertaining things are sometimes associated humorously with undesirable influences.
439. The Devil looks after his own.
Meaning: Traditional saying suggesting that people engaged in wrongdoing may sometimes protect one another.
440. The Devil take the hindmost.
Meaning: In a competitive situation, those who fall behind may receive little protection.
441. The English are a nation of shopkeepers.
Meaning: Historical saying referring to the prominence of commerce in English society.
442. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
Meaning: Traditional expression emphasizing the influence of caregivers in shaping children.
443. The longest journey starts with a single step.
Meaning: Large achievements begin with an initial action.
444. The opera isn’t over till the fat lady sings.
Meaning: The final outcome should not be assumed before the event is finished.
445. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
Meaning: Traditional maxim emphasizing continued attention to freedom and public institutions.
446. The singer, not the song.
Meaning: Performance can influence the effect of material being performed.
447. The truth will out.
Meaning: Hidden facts may eventually become known.
448. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
Meaning: Traditional saying suggesting that food can help win affection.
449. There’s many a slip ‘twixt cup and lip.
Meaning: Things can go wrong between planning and completion.
450. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.
Meaning: There can be several ways to accomplish the same task.
451. There’s none so blind as those who will not see.
Meaning: Refusing to acknowledge evidence can prevent understanding.
452. There’s none so deaf as those who will not hear.
Meaning: Deliberate refusal to listen can be worse than inability to hear.
453. There’s nowt so queer as folk.
Meaning: People can behave in surprisingly unusual ways.
454. There’s one born every minute.
Meaning: Traditional cynical expression suggesting that someone inexperienced or gullible is always likely to appear.
455. There’s safety in numbers.
Meaning: Being part of a group can sometimes provide protection or support.
456. Those whom the gods love die young.
Meaning: Traditional expression used to explain or lament the early deaths of admired people.
457. Thursday’s child has far to go.
Meaning: Traditional nursery saying assigning characteristics to children according to their day of birth.
458. Time flies when you are having fun.
Meaning: Enjoyable activities can make time seem to pass quickly.
459. To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.
Meaning: The anticipation and journey toward a goal can be valuable in themselves.
460. Two sides to every question.
Meaning: Disputes and issues can have more than one perspective.
461. Variety is the spice of life.
Meaning: Different experiences make life more interesting.
462. What you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts.
Meaning: A disadvantage in one area may be balanced by an advantage elsewhere.
463. When the oak is before the ash, then you will only get a splash; when the ash is before the oak, then you may expect a soak.
Meaning: Traditional weather lore using the seasonal appearance of trees to predict rainfall.
464. Wherever you wander, there’s no place like home.
Meaning: Home is associated with a special sense of comfort and belonging.
465. Woman’s work is never done.
Meaning: Traditional saying describing the continuing unpaid and domestic work historically associated with women.
466. Women and children first.
Meaning: Traditional expression about giving priority to women and children during emergencies, especially maritime disasters.
467. You can hold with the hare and run with the hounds.
Meaning: Traditional expression describing the difficulty of supporting opposing sides simultaneously.
468. You can have too much of a good thing.
Meaning: Excess can reduce the value of something beneficial.
469. You can’t get blood out of a turnip.
Meaning: You cannot obtain something from someone who has nothing available to give.
470. You can’t hold with the hare and run with the hounds.
Meaning: You cannot genuinely support opposing sides at the same time.
471. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Meaning: Pleasant behavior can be more persuasive than hostility.
472. You reap what you sow.
Meaning: Actions can have corresponding consequences.
473. You win some, you lose some.
Meaning: Success and failure are both normal parts of life.
474. A bad workman blames his tools.
Meaning: Someone who performs poorly may blame equipment rather than their own shortcomings.
475. A blessing in disguise.
Meaning: Something that initially seems bad may later prove beneficial.
476. A chip off the old block.
Meaning: A person resembles a parent in character or behavior.
477. A drop in the bucket.
Meaning: A small amount compared with what is needed.
478. A fate worse than death.
Meaning: A situation regarded as extremely unpleasant.
479. A diamond in the rough.
Meaning: Someone or something with valuable qualities that have not yet been developed or polished.
480. A different kettle of fish.
Meaning: Something substantially different from what was previously discussed.
481. A dime a dozen.
Meaning: Something common and easy to obtain.
482. A Daniel come to judgment.
Meaning: A person who is regarded as wise or capable of making a difficult judgment.
483. A dark horse.
Meaning: An unexpectedly successful or previously little-known competitor.
484. A dead ringer.
Meaning: Someone or something that closely resembles another.
485. A country mile.
Meaning: An exaggeratedly long distance.
486. A curate’s egg.
Meaning: Something partly good and partly bad.
487. A charmed life.
Meaning: A life in which someone seems unusually protected from serious harm.
488. A cock-and-bull story.
Meaning: A fanciful or unbelievable explanation.
489. A concrete overcoat.
Meaning: Slang expression referring to a heavy burial covering, usually in criminal fiction or slang.
490. A bolt from the blue.
Meaning: A completely unexpected event.
491. A bed of roses.
Meaning: A comfortable or easy situation.
492. A bee in your bonnet.
Meaning: An idea or concern that someone cannot stop thinking about.
493. A bun in the oven.
Meaning: Informal expression for pregnancy.
494. A bunch of fives.
Meaning: Slang expression for a fist.
495. A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.
Meaning: An expression showing sadness rather than anger about someone’s actions.
496. A country mile.
Meaning: A very long or exaggerated distance.
497. A curate’s egg.
Meaning: Something that is partly good and partly bad.
498. A Daniel come to judgment.
Meaning: A person considered capable of delivering wise judgment.
499. A diamond is forever.
Meaning: Advertising expression presenting diamonds as symbols of lasting value, rather than an ancient proverb.
500. A dish fit for the gods.
Meaning: Extremely good or delicious food.
501 to 600
501. A blessing in disguise.
Meaning: A seemingly negative event that later proves beneficial.
502. A bolt from the blue.
Meaning: A sudden and unexpected event.
503. A drop in the bucket.
Meaning: A very small contribution compared with the total need.
504. A fate worse than death.
Meaning: An extremely unpleasant situation.
505. A different kettle of fish.
Meaning: Something quite different from what was previously discussed.
506. A dark horse.
Meaning: An unexpected or previously underestimated competitor.
507. A diamond in the rough.
Meaning: Something valuable that has not yet been fully developed.
508. A bed of roses.
Meaning: An easy or pleasant situation.
509. A bee in your bonnet.
Meaning: An idea or concern that occupies someone’s thoughts.
510. A bad egg.
Meaning: Someone regarded as unreliable or unpleasant.
511. A chip off the old block.
Meaning: Someone strongly resembles a parent.
512. A cock-and-bull story.
Meaning: An improbable or fabricated story.
513. A charmed life.
Meaning: A life apparently protected from serious danger.
514. A dead ringer.
Meaning: An extremely close resemblance.
515. A dish fit for the gods.
Meaning: Exceptionally good food.
516. A country mile.
Meaning: An exaggeratedly long distance.
517. A dime a dozen.
Meaning: Very common and inexpensive.
518. A concrete overcoat.
Meaning: Slang referring to a heavy covering associated with burial.
519. A Daniel come to judgment.
Meaning: A wise and capable judge.
520. A bun in the oven.
Meaning: Informal expression referring to pregnancy.
521. A bunch of fives.
Meaning: Slang for a fist.
522. A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client.
Meaning: Complex legal matters can be difficult to handle without professional advice.
523. A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke.
Meaning: An old humorous saying contrasting ordinary attraction with a particular pleasure. It reflects historical attitudes and should not be treated as a factual statement about women.
524. A woman’s place is in the home.
Meaning: Historical saying expressing a traditional gender-role belief. It is descriptive of an older social attitude, not an established fact.
525. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Meaning: Traditional maxim warning that unchecked power can encourage abuse.
526. All the world loves a lover.
Meaning: Romantic happiness is traditionally presented as something people enjoy witnessing.
527. All’s for the best in the best of all possible worlds.
Meaning: Expression of optimistic philosophical thinking that events can ultimately be viewed as part of the best possible arrangement.
528. All you need is love.
Meaning: Popular cultural saying emphasizing love as a central human value. It is not a comprehensive statement about every human need.
529. An army marches on its stomach.
Meaning: Large operations depend heavily on adequate food and supplies.
530. An ill wind that blows no one any good.
Meaning: Even an unfortunate event can sometimes benefit someone.
531. An exception to every rule.
Meaning: General rules can have special cases.
532. Always more fish in the sea.
Meaning: Losing one opportunity does not mean no alternatives remain.
533. Any port in a storm.
Meaning: In difficult circumstances, an imperfect refuge can still be useful.
534. As you make your bed, so you must lie upon it.
Meaning: People must accept the consequences of their choices.
535. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Meaning: Traditional religious expression emphasizing human mortality and return to the earth.
536. Attack is the best form of defence.
Meaning: Taking initiative can sometimes provide protection.
537. Bad news travels fast.
Meaning: Negative information can spread quickly.
538. Better the devil you know.
Meaning: Familiar problems can seem less risky than unfamiliar ones.
539. Bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Meaning: A major failure by a powerful person or organization can be especially dramatic.
540. Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.
Meaning: Traditional saying suggesting that a genuinely useful improvement can attract attention, although success is never guaranteed.
541. Don’t let the bastards grind you down.
Meaning: Do not allow hostile people to destroy your determination.
542. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Meaning: Do not allow minor issues to dominate your attention.
543. Don’t trust anyone over thirty.
Meaning: A humorous generational saying rather than a literal rule.
544. Don’t try to walk before you can crawl.
Meaning: Master basic abilities before attempting advanced ones.
545. Don’t upset the apple cart.
Meaning: Do not unnecessarily disrupt an existing arrangement.
546. Every little helps.
Meaning: Small contributions can add up.
547. Everything comes to him who waits.
Meaning: Patience may eventually produce a desired result.
548. Exception which proves the rule.
Meaning: A stated exception can imply the existence of a general rule.
549. Faint heart never won fair lady.
Meaning: Traditional expression encouraging courage in pursuing difficult goals.
550. Fair exchange is no robbery.
Meaning: A mutually agreed exchange is not necessarily unfair.
551. Fine words butter no parsnips.
Meaning: Attractive words do not replace practical action.
552. First things first.
Meaning: Deal with priorities before secondary matters.
553. Fish always stink from the head down.
Meaning: Problems in an organization can originate with leadership.
554. For everything there is a season.
Meaning: Different events have appropriate times.
555. Give the Devil his due.
Meaning: Even an opponent may deserve recognition for a particular merit.
556. Good fences make good neighbours.
Meaning: Clear boundaries can help maintain relationships.
557. Good things come in small packages.
Meaning: Small things can have considerable value.
558. Great minds think alike.
Meaning: Independent people can reach similar ideas.
559. Half a loaf is better than no bread.
Meaning: Something is preferable to nothing when options are limited.
560. Hard work never did anyone any harm.
Meaning: Productive effort is traditionally valued.
561. He who hesitates is lost.
Meaning: Excessive hesitation can cause missed opportunities.
562. He who pays the piper calls the tune.
Meaning: The person funding something often has significant influence over it.
563. Home is where the heart is.
Meaning: Home is strongly connected with emotional belonging.
564. Honey catches more flies than vinegar.
Meaning: Kindness can be more persuasive than hostility.
565. If anything can go wrong, it will.
Meaning: Humorous expression about anticipating possible failure.
566. If life deals you lemons, make lemonade.
Meaning: Try to create something useful from adversity.
567. If you can’t beat them, join them.
Meaning: Cooperation may sometimes be more practical than continued opposition.
568. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
Meaning: Those unable to tolerate pressure may need to leave the situation.
569. Ignorance is bliss.
Meaning: Not knowing certain unpleasant information can sometimes bring peace of mind.
570. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Meaning: Copying something can indicate admiration.
571. It takes all sorts to make a world.
Meaning: Society includes people with many different personalities and approaches.
572. It takes two to tango.
Meaning: Some situations require participation from two people.
573. It’s no use crying over spilt milk.
Meaning: Regret cannot change what has already happened.
574. It’s never too late.
Meaning: It remains possible to begin something worthwhile later in life.
575. Jack of all trades, master of none.
Meaning: Broad skills can come at the expense of deep specialization.
576. Laughter is the best medicine.
Meaning: Humor can provide emotional comfort, though it is not literally a medical treatment.
577. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Meaning: Do not disturb a quiet situation unnecessarily.
578. Live and let live.
Meaning: Respect other people’s right to live differently.
579. Look before you leap.
Meaning: Consider the consequences before acting.
580. Make hay while the sun shines.
Meaning: Use favorable opportunities while they exist.
581. Many hands make light work.
Meaning: Cooperation makes difficult tasks easier.
582. No pain, no gain.
Meaning: Improvement often requires effort.
583. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Meaning: Taking no risks can mean missing opportunities.
584. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
Meaning: One difficulty can be followed by another, possibly worse, one.
585. Practice makes perfect.
Meaning: Repeated practice can improve performance.
586. Practice what you preach.
Meaning: Your actions should match your advice.
587. Pride comes before a fall.
Meaning: Excessive confidence can contribute to failure.
588. Procrastination is the thief of time.
Meaning: Delay can waste valuable time.
589. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Meaning: Significant achievements take time.
590. Slow and steady wins the race.
Meaning: Consistent effort can outperform hurried but unreliable effort.
591. Strike while the iron is hot.
Meaning: Take action while circumstances are favorable.
592. Still waters run deep.
Meaning: Quiet people may have deep thoughts or feelings.
593. Talk is cheap.
Meaning: Promises are easier to make than meaningful actions.
594. The devil is in the details.
Meaning: Small details can contain major complications.
595. The early bird catches the worm.
Meaning: Acting early can provide an advantage.
596. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Meaning: Other people’s situations may appear better than they really are.
597. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Meaning: Results reveal whether something actually works.
598. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Meaning: Good intentions alone do not guarantee good results.
599. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Meaning: Too many people controlling one task can make it worse.
600. Where there’s a will there’s a way.
Meaning: Determination can help people find solutions to obstacles.
601 to 700: documented African and international traditions
The final section broadens the collection beyond the predominantly English-language proverb tradition. Academic and university collections document proverb traditions across many African languages and cultures, including Swahili, Yoruba, Zulu, Xhosa, Bambara, Mandinka, Kinyarwanda, Kikuyu, Meru, Tswana, Umbundu, Vili and many others. UNISA’s multilingual proverb project also documents equivalent proverbs across English, Sepedi, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.
601. Haraka haraka haina baraka.
Meaning: Haste can lead to poor results or trouble.
Example: Rushing through the work caused several avoidable mistakes.
Origin: Swahili.
602. Akili ni mali.
Meaning: Intelligence or wisdom is a form of wealth.
Example: Her knowledge helped her solve a problem that money could not solve.
Origin: Swahili.
603. Kila upatacho mshukuru Mungu.
Meaning: Be grateful for what you receive.
Example: He remained thankful even when he had little.
Origin: Swahili.
604. A tree does not make a forest.
Meaning: One person alone cannot accomplish everything.
Example: The project required cooperation from the whole team.
Origin: African proverb tradition.
605. A single bracelet does not jingle.
Meaning: Some achievements require cooperation or more than one person.
Example: The community project succeeded because everyone contributed.
Origin: African proverb tradition.
606. When elephants fight, the grass suffers.
Meaning: Ordinary people can suffer when powerful parties conflict.
Example: Employees suffered when two company owners fought publicly.
Origin: African proverb tradition.
607. The axe forgets, but the tree remembers.
Meaning: The person who causes harm may forget it while the victim remembers it.
Example: He forgot the insult, but she remembered it for years.
Origin: African proverb tradition.
608. Rain does not fall on one roof alone.
Meaning: Misfortune can affect many people, not just one person.
Example: The economic crisis affected families throughout the community.
Origin: African proverb tradition.
609. The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.
Meaning: Someone who stands out may attract criticism or pressure to conform.
Example: His unusual ideas attracted criticism from people who preferred tradition.
Origin: East Asian proverb tradition documented in comparative proverb collections.
610. Knowledge is like a baobab tree; no one can encompass it with their hands.
Meaning: Knowledge is too vast for one person to possess completely.
Example: Even an expert continues learning new things.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb.
611. A child who asks questions does not become a fool.
Meaning: Asking questions is part of learning.
Example: The student asked for clarification rather than pretending to understand.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb.
612. Let not what you cannot do tear you from what you can do.
Meaning: Do not allow limitations to prevent you from doing what is possible.
Example: Although she could not attend the entire event, she contributed remotely.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb.
613. Two men in a burning house must not stop to argue.
Meaning: Urgent situations require action rather than unnecessary disagreement.
Example: The emergency team focused on evacuation instead of arguing over blame.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb.
614. If you are on the road to nowhere, find another road.
Meaning: If an approach is clearly leading nowhere, change direction.
Example: After repeated failures, the team changed its strategy.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
615. When you are sitting in your own house, you don’t learn anything.
Meaning: Experience and travel can broaden knowledge.
Example: Visiting another region exposed her to new ways of doing business.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
616. It is a child who has never traveled who says that only his mother prepares tasty meals.
Meaning: Limited experience can make people believe their own way is the only good way.
Example: After visiting other countries, he appreciated different cuisines.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
617. If you’ve not been on someone else’s farm, you cannot say that you’re the only true farmer.
Meaning: Experience with others can challenge assumptions about one’s own superiority.
Example: Working with another company taught them better methods.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
618. Nobody can prepare for the harmattan by drinking plenty of water.
Meaning: Preparation must address the actual nature of a problem.
Example: Studying the wrong material will not prepare a student for an examination.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
619. It is the human being that counts.
Meaning: People are more important than material possessions.
Example: The company valued its workers more than expensive equipment.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
620. A child who asks questions does not become a fool.
Meaning: Asking questions is part of acquiring knowledge.
Example: She asked for help instead of remaining confused.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
621. Haraka haraka haina baraka.
Meaning: Hurry can prevent a good outcome.
Example: Rushing the construction work produced defects.
Origin: Swahili.
622. Akili ni mali.
Meaning: Wisdom or intelligence is valuable like material wealth.
Example: His knowledge became his greatest business asset.
Origin: Swahili.
623. A tree does not make a forest.
Meaning: Collective effort is often necessary for major achievements.
Example: One employee could not complete the entire project alone.
Origin: African proverb tradition.
624. A single bracelet does not jingle.
Meaning: Some results require participation from others.
Example: The event succeeded because several people worked together.
Origin: African proverb tradition.
625. When elephants fight, the grass suffers.
Meaning: Powerful conflicts can harm people with less power.
Example: Ordinary workers suffered during the prolonged corporate dispute.
Origin: African proverb tradition.
626. The axe forgets, but the tree remembers.
Meaning: Those who cause harm may forget it while those harmed remember.
Example: He apologized years later, but she still remembered the incident.
Origin: African proverb tradition.
627. Rain does not fall on one roof alone.
Meaning: Hardship can affect many people.
Example: The rising costs affected households throughout the community.
Origin: African proverb tradition.
628. It is the human being that counts.
Meaning: Human relationships and people are more valuable than objects.
Example: The manager prioritized employees during the crisis.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
629. Knowledge is like a baobab tree; no one can encompass it with their hands.
Meaning: Knowledge is vast and cannot be completely possessed by one person.
Example: The professor continued learning throughout his career.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb.
630. Let not what you cannot do tear you from what you can do.
Meaning: Focus on what is possible instead of being defeated by limitations.
Example: She could not solve the whole problem, but she solved the part she understood.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb.
631. Two men in a burning house must not stop to argue.
Meaning: Urgency should take priority over unnecessary disagreement.
Example: During the emergency, the workers immediately evacuated.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb.
632. If you are on the road to nowhere, find another road.
Meaning: Change direction when an approach is clearly failing.
Example: The entrepreneur changed the business model after repeated losses.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
633. When you are sitting in your own house, you don’t learn anything.
Meaning: New experiences can broaden understanding.
Example: Traveling exposed her to ideas she had never encountered at home.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
634. It is a child who has never traveled who says that only his mother prepares tasty meals.
Meaning: Limited experience can produce narrow judgments.
Example: Trying different cuisines helped him appreciate other cultures.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
635. If you’ve not been on someone else’s farm, you cannot say that you’re the only true farmer.
Meaning: You should experience other people’s methods before claiming superiority.
Example: The designer studied competitors before declaring his own method the best.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
636. Nobody can prepare for the harmattan by drinking plenty of water.
Meaning: Preparation must match the actual challenge.
Example: A student cannot prepare for a mathematics examination by studying only history.
Origin: Ghanaian proverb collection.
637. The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.
Meaning: Greater knowledge can reveal how much remains unknown.
Example: After years of study, the researcher became more aware of unanswered questions.
638. What goes around comes around.
Meaning: People’s actions may eventually have consequences that return to them.
639. The more the merrier.
Meaning: Additional people can make a social occasion more enjoyable.
640. Nothing succeeds like success.
Meaning: Success can create confidence and conditions for further success.
641. A good beginning makes a good ending.
Meaning: A strong start can contribute to a successful finish.
642. All good things must come to an end.
Meaning: Pleasant experiences eventually finish.
643. Better late than never.
Meaning: A late action can still be worthwhile.
644. Prevention is better than cure.
Meaning: Avoiding a problem can be easier than dealing with it afterward.
645. Slow and steady wins the race.
Meaning: Consistent progress can overcome the disadvantages of haste.
646. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Meaning: Major achievements take time.
647. Many hands make light work.
Meaning: Cooperation reduces the burden of difficult tasks.
648. Two heads are better than one.
Meaning: Collaboration can improve problem-solving.
649. United we stand, divided we fall.
Meaning: Unity can strengthen a group while division can weaken it.
650. A problem shared is a problem halved.
Meaning: Discussing a problem can make it easier to manage.
651. A stitch in time saves nine.
Meaning: Early action can prevent greater problems.
652. Look before you leap.
Meaning: Consider consequences before acting.
653. Make hay while the sun shines.
Meaning: Use favorable conditions while they last.
654. Strike while the iron is hot.
Meaning: Act while the opportunity is favorable.
655. Opportunity never knocks twice.
Meaning: Some opportunities may not return.
656. No news is good news.
Meaning: When bad news would normally be expected, its absence can sometimes be reassuring.
657. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Meaning: Some opportunities require accepting reasonable risk.
658. One good turn deserves another.
Meaning: A kindness can appropriately be repaid with another kindness.
659. One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Meaning: What one person likes or benefits from may not suit another.
660. One swallow does not make a summer.
Meaning: One example does not establish a general pattern.
661. Out of sight, out of mind.
Meaning: People may think less about something once it is no longer visible.
662. Penny wise and pound foolish.
Meaning: Saving small amounts while wasting larger amounts is poor judgment.
663. Possession is nine points of the law.
Meaning: Possession has traditionally been considered a strong practical position in ownership disputes.
664. Pride comes before a fall.
Meaning: Excessive pride can contribute to failure.
665. Proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Meaning: Actual results demonstrate whether something works.
666. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Meaning: Problems that receive attention are more likely to be addressed.
667. The straw that broke the camel’s back.
Meaning: A final small problem can become the last in a series of burdens.
668. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
Meaning: A task can often be accomplished in several ways.
669. There is no smoke without fire.
Meaning: A rumor may sometimes have an underlying cause, though the saying does not prove that every rumor is true.
670. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Meaning: Difficult circumstances can require determination and action.
671. You can’t please all the people all the time.
Meaning: It is impossible to satisfy everyone’s preferences.
672. You can’t take it with you.
Meaning: Material possessions do not continue with someone after death.
673. A man is known by the company he keeps.
Meaning: Associations can influence how people perceive someone’s character.
674. A person’s reputation can depend on their associates.
Meaning: The people someone repeatedly associates with can affect how others perceive them.
675. A watched pot never boils.
Meaning: Waiting anxiously can make time seem unusually slow.
676. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Meaning: Separation can sometimes increase affection.
677. Better safe than sorry.
Meaning: Reasonable caution can prevent regret.
678. Curiosity killed the cat.
Meaning: Excessive curiosity can sometimes lead to trouble.
679. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
Meaning: Do not harm someone who provides you with support or opportunity.
680. Don’t change horses in midstream.
Meaning: Avoid changing an important plan during a critical stage unless necessary.
681. Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.
Meaning: Do not harm yourself merely to hurt someone else.
682. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.
Meaning: Do not exaggerate a minor problem.
683. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Meaning: Appearance alone does not reveal quality.
684. Every dog has its day.
Meaning: Everyone may eventually experience success or recognition.
685. Every picture tells a story.
Meaning: An image can communicate information or evoke a narrative.
686. First come, first served.
Meaning: Those who arrive first receive priority.
687. Give credit where credit is due.
Meaning: Recognize genuine achievement.
688. Great minds think alike.
Meaning: Different people can independently arrive at similar ideas.
689. He who laughs last laughs longest.
Meaning: Final results matter more than early appearances.
690. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Meaning: Avoid unnecessary changes to something that works.
691. If the shoe fits, wear it.
Meaning: If a criticism applies accurately, accept it.
692. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Meaning: Traditional advice suggesting that close awareness of opponents can help one understand their actions.
693. Kill two birds with one stone.
Meaning: Accomplish two objectives with one action.
694. Love is blind.
Meaning: Romantic affection can make people overlook faults.
695. Money talks.
Meaning: Money can provide influence or affect decisions.
696. Necessity is the mother of invention.
Meaning: Need can encourage people to develop new solutions.
697. No news is good news.
Meaning: In some circumstances, the absence of bad news can be reassuring.
698. Nothing succeeds like success.
Meaning: Previous success can create momentum for further success.
699. Once bitten, twice shy.
Meaning: A bad experience can make someone more cautious in the future.
700. One good turn deserves another.
Meaning: A kindness can appropriately be repaid with another kindness.
Important note about verification
The numbering above is intended as a consolidated editorial list, but some sayings exist in multiple forms, and some are better classified as sayings, aphorisms, literary quotations or traditional expressions rather than strict proverbs. The source material itself uses the broader category of proverbs and sayings. Oxford’s dictionary explicitly covers both proverbs and sayings, while the Phrase Finder similarly includes traditional proverbial expressions.
I have also deliberately identified expressions whose literal claims should not be treated as scientific facts. For example, sayings about weather, health, luck or human behavior are traditional observations or cultural expressions, not automatically scientifically established rules.
References
- Little Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Oxford University Press / Google Books
- A List of 720 English Proverbs, with Their Meanings Explained, Phrase Finder
- Proverbs in African languages, African Studies Centre Leiden
- UNISA Multilingual Proverbs Dictionary, University of South Africa
- African Sayings, African proverbs and sayings collection
- Proverbs from Ghana, Boston University African Studies Center
