Google
|
|
The Proverbs are arranged by geographical/national locations.
Select the first character of the geographical location/nation that you want to look at:
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
|
| Latin Proverb - I
I am in a fix. [In a place where three ways meet.]I am less concerned about them than about the croaking frogs in the marsh.I am recommending you to do what I should do myself.I am touched but not broken by the waves.I am what you will be, I was what you now are.I am willing but unable.I bear the laurel-branch.I beggar is not favoured even by his relations.I came, I saw, I won.I cannot get on with you, or without you.I have lost my labour and my cost.I have washed my hands of it.I kill the boars, but another eats the flesh.I know Simon, and Simon knows me. [A couple of rogues.]I prefer death to disgrace.I regret that I have given what I have.I shall paint you in your own colours. [Take you according to your own showing.]I simply state what I have heard.I speak of garlic, you reply about onions. [I speak of one thing, you reply what is wholly irrelevant.]I wince to win.I wish I were at home. [Oh! that I were out of this mess and in safety.]I would not purchase it at the price of a rotten nut.I would rather be in an apple-tree, than a bad man in distress.I would rather buy than beg.Idleness is ever the root of indecision.If a man falls in love with a frog, he thinks his frog a very Diana.If all men were on an equality, the consequence would be that all must perish: for who would till the ground? who would sow it? Who would plant? who would press wine?.If being well bearded brings happiness. a he-goat must be happier than any of us.If doctors fail thee, be these three thy doctors--Rest, cheerfulness, and moderate diet.If flesh is not to be had, fish must content us.If he should ask for wine, box his ears.If I wrestle with a filthy thing, win or lose, I shall be defiled.If it pleases you, it does not displease me.If poor, act with caution.If the head aches all the members of the body suffer.If the lion's skin falls short, piece it out with that of the fox.If you always live with those who are lame, you will yourself learn to limp.If you are contented with your lot, you will live wisely.If you cannot drive an ox, drive a donkey.If you care for the court, the court will bring cares for you.If you desire peace, be ever prepared for war.If you run after two hares you will catch neither.If you say that he is guilty of ingratitude, you need say no more.If you sit on a seat, and that seat is a comfortable seat, sit on that seat, and do not leave that seat.If you strike a goad with your fist, your hand will suffer most.If you want peace, prepare for war.
[Lat., Si vis pacem, para bellum.]If you would resemble the vulture, look out for a carcase. [Wait for dead men's shoes.]If your conduct be noble, you will be a king.Ignorance is not privileged by titular degrees.Ill gotten, ill spent.Ill weeds grows apace.Imitate the snail in deliberation, the bird in execution.Immortal glory waits on talent.In avoiding Charybdis, he falls into Scylla.In avoiding that which is evil I have found that which is good.In chatter a river, in understanding but a single drop.In every pomegranate a decayed pip is to be found.In flying from one enemy you encounter another.In forming new friendships, forget not old friends.In misfortune we need help, not lamentation.In prosperity look out for squalls.In the great sea fish is always to be caught. [There is a greater chance for enterprise in a large place.]In the midst of our mirth some annoyance always arises to vex us.In the snare laid for others is your foot taken.In the very act of committing an offence. [Taken red handed.]In time of prosperity consider how you will bear adversity.In time of sickness man is ever on his best behaviour.In times of peace we should think of war.In vain does a man possess property if he makes no use of it.In wine there is truth.
[Lat., In vino veritas.]Indulge not in boisterous mirth.Injuries destroy affection.Injuries put us on our guard.Injuries, when treated with contempt, vanish and have no effect. If you show anger their effect would appear to be acknowledged.Inquisitive and prone to gossip. [A Paul Pry.]Instead of a fish he gives you a scorpion.Instead of a treasure, coals! ["'Rum,' I hopes! 'Baccy,' I thinks! 'Tracts,' by jingo!" Sailor's remark on discovering that he had picked up a bottle of tracts.]Interfere not in the quarrels of others.It does not fall to the lot of all to smell of musk.It doubles the value of a gift to be well-timed.It flies at our approach but follows us as we retire. [A Shadow, Glory, or Love.]It flies gently, but wounds deeply. [Slander.]It hangs by a hair.It has become a proverb.It has caused injury and will do so again.It is a disgrace to be praised by those who deserve no praise.It is a fraud to connive at a fraud.It is a mean thing to despise unsuccessful merit.It is a miserable habit to be poor.
[Lat., Gaudium est miseris socios habuisse penarum.]It is a misery to be born, a punishment to live, and a trouble to die.It is a solace to the miserable to have a companion in their grief.It is a wretched position to be dependent on others for support.It is all over: I may as well go and hand myself.It is an absurdity that he should rule others who cannot command himself.It is an easy task to improve upon an invention.It is an honourable thing to be accused by those who are open to accusation.It is as bad to have too many friends as no friends at all.It is bad to contend about trifles.It is best to learn wisdom by the experience of others.It is best to learn wisdom from the follies of others.It is better to be always prepared than to suffer once. [Keep oil in your lamps.]It is better to enjoy what we possess than to hanker after other things.It is better to fly than to remain in disgrace.It is better to satisfy our hunger than to be clothed in purple.It is better to say nothing than not enough.It is better to turn back than to persevere in an evil course.It is but fair that he who requires indulgence for his own offences should grant it to others.It is cruel to refer to those things which cause sorrow.It is easier to pull down than to build up.It is easier to win good luck than to retain it.It is easy to set a cask a rolling. [To influence a fool.]It is good to beware by other men's harms.It is inexcusable to have remained long away, and return empty-handed.It is lawful to learn even from an enemy.It is more difficult to bridle the tongue than to conquer an army.It is more wicked to love a sin than to commit one.It is no business of mine; may it go to the devil!It is not allowed in war to blunder twice.It is not at the altar that we should consider the course we would take.It is not becoming to play the fox, or to play up on both sides.It is not easy suddenly to cast aside a fancy long indulged in.It is often better to go by a circuitous than by a direct path.It is one thing to boast, another to fight.It is safer to irritate a dog than an old woman.It is sheer folly to expect justice from the unprincipled.It is soon known which trees will bear fruit. [A natural bent for good or evil is easily perceptible in youth.]It is sweet and meritorious to die for one's country.It is the duty of a good sportsman to kill game freely, but not kill all.It is the duty of friends mutually to correct each other.It is the essence of good taste to do that which is consistent with our position.It is the part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it.It is the perfection of art when no trace of the artist appears.It is the season not the soil that brings the crop.It is the tree that gives its nature to the fruit.It is the very backbone of wisdom not to trust too hastily.It is ungentlemanly to lie; truthfulness becomes the gentleman.It is vain to do that by a multitude which a few can accomplish.It is well to buy oil as well as salt. [Different remedies should be at hand when required.]It matters little whether we are the slaves of circumstance, or of man.It rings, it is empty.It smells of midnight oil. [An elaborate piece.]It would be clear enough even to a blind man.It would puzzle even Apollo to understand it.It's a well-known fact, dirt stinks more when stirred.It's an ill plan that cannot be changed. |
|
|