essay based on proverbs

Essay on Proverbs: Timeless Wisdom in Every Word

Proverbs, succinct expressions of wisdom handed down through generations, serve as a treasure trove of cultural insights and practical guidance. In the tapestry of language, proverbs are like colorful threads weaving stories of resilience, morality, and human experience. This essay delves into the significance of proverbs, exploring their timeless relevance and the invaluable lessons they impart in our daily lives.

Quick Overview:

• Condensed Wisdom: Proverbs are concise expressions that encapsulate profound wisdom in a few words. Rooted in the collective experiences of cultures, they distill complex truths into simple, memorable phrases. Proverbs act as concise guides, offering nuggets of timeless wisdom that can be applied to various aspects of life.
• Cultural Reflection: Proverbs are mirrors reflecting the ethos of a culture. Each proverb is a product of its cultural context, embodying the values, beliefs, and experiences of a community. Through proverbs, we gain insights into the cultural identity, moral compass, and societal norms of a people.
• Moral and Ethical Guidance: Many proverbs carry moral and ethical lessons. They often serve as ethical compasses, guiding individuals in making righteous decisions. Proverbs like “Honesty is the best policy” or “Actions speak louder than words” encapsulate enduring moral principles that transcend time and cultural boundaries.
• Practical Life Lessons: Proverbs offer practical life lessons derived from common experiences. Whether it’s facing challenges, building relationships, or managing resources, proverbs provide pragmatic advice. For example, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” warns against premature expectations, urging patience and caution.
• Cultural Preservation: Proverbs play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage. Passed down orally from generation to generation, proverbs are carriers of cultural memory. They ensure that the collective wisdom, humor, and resilience of a culture endure, fostering a sense of continuity and connection to the past.

Conclusion: In conclusion, proverbs are not merely linguistic ornaments; they are windows into the collective wisdom of humanity. These succinct expressions serve as timeless guides, offering practical advice, moral insights, and cultural reflections. In a world where information flows rapidly, proverbs stand as pillars of stability, providing enduring truths that resonate across generations.

As we encounter proverbs in our daily lives, we should appreciate the depth of wisdom they carry. Each proverb is a distillation of the experiences, observations, and reflections of those who came before us. In embracing and passing on these linguistic gems, we contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage and the perpetuation of universal truths that withstand the test of time.

Proverbs, with their economy of words and richness of meaning, remind us that wisdom is not confined to the pages of books but is embedded in the everyday language we speak. They serve as a reminder that, despite the complexities of the modern world, the essence of human experience remains rooted in enduring values and lessons that find expression in the timeless beauty of proverbs.

Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.

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63 Proverbs in English with Meanings, Examples and Pronunciation

Have you ever had a day at work where people said the strangest things ?

“The cat’s out of the bag,” a co-worker says at a staff meeting. “But it’s no use crying over spilled milk. We can still make a lot of progress today.”

Cats? Milk? What’s going on here? The answer is that your co-worker is using proverbs.

Proverbs are the  traditional (historic) sayings of a country or group of people. They are short, clever sentences that usually offer life advice. Native English speakers often use them in conversation without even realizing it.

Proverbs can teach you more about English culture than any textbook. They show what’s important to the group of people, what is considered good behavior and what is bad behavior.

Below are 63 of the top English proverbs, clearly explained just for you!

1. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

2. don’t judge a book by its cover., 3. strike while the iron is hot., 4. too many cooks spoil the broth., 5. you can’t have your cake and eat it too., 6. many hands make light work., 7. when in rome, do as the romans do., 8. don’t cross the bridge until you come to it., 9. honesty is the best policy., 10. practice makes perfect., 11. where there’s a will, there’s a way., 12. look before you leap., 13. beggars can’t be choosers., 14. don’t make a mountain out of an anthill., 15. an apple a day keeps the doctor away., 16. the early bird catches the worm., 17. better late than never., 18. the cat is out of the bag., 19. two wrongs don’t make a right., 20. always put your best foot forward., 21. rome wasn’t built in a day., 22. it’s better to be safe than sorry., 23. don’t bite the hand that feeds you., 24. the squeaky wheel gets the grease., 25. don’t bite off more than you can chew., 26. you made your bed, now you have to lie in it., 27. actions speak louder than words., 28. it takes two to tango., 29. don’t count your chickens before they hatch., 30. it’s no use crying over spilled milk., 31. don’t put all your eggs in one basket., 32. people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones., 33. a rolling stone gathers no moss., 34. first things first., 35. still waters run deep., 36. if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it., 37. curiosity killed the cat., 38. learn to walk before you run., 39. money doesn’t grow on trees., 40. my hands are tied., 41. it’s the tip of the iceberg., 42. no news is good news., 43. out of sight, out of mind., 44. if you scratch my back, i’ll scratch yours., 45. ignorance is bliss., 46. easy come, easy go., 47. the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest., 48. every cloud has a silver lining., 49. you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs., 50. close, but no cigar., 51. there’s more than one way to skin a cat., 52. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush., 53. never trouble trouble ’til trouble troubles you., 54. paddle your own canoe., 55. bitter pills may have blessed effects., 56. it’s always darkest before the dawn., 57. people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones., 58. there are plenty more fish in the sea., 59. take it with a grain of salt., 60. from little acorns mighty oaks do grow., 61. you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink., 62. good things come to those who wait., 63. when life gives you lemons, make lemonade., and one more thing....

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“The grass is always greener” is a proverb that says it’s not good to be  jealous (to want what other people have). It may seem like everyone around you has “greener grass,” meaning nicer cars, better jobs, etc.

But your neighbor probably thinks you have greener grass, too. It means that your friends and other people might think you have better looks, a happier family, etc. So, instead of thinking about what everyone else has, this proverb wants you to be thankful for what you have.

Sarah always thinks other schools are better. The grass is always greener on the other side , though.

Things are not always what they seem. This proverb teaches you not to make judgments about other people because of how they look or dress.

A book with a boring or plain cover could be amazing. The same is true with people. A person might look like an athlete or fool, but there’s probably a lot more to them than their clothes suggest.

I thought the movie would be boring, but my friend said not to judge a book by its cover .

This old expression comes from the days of  blacksmiths (people who work with metal). To shape the metal, the blacksmith would have to beat it with a hammer. Iron is easier to work with when it’s hot.

This proverb means you should take advantage of the moment. If an opportunity presents itself to you, take it! Take action because the chance may not come again.

If you want a discount, you should buy the shirt now. Strike while the iron is hot.

The more common form of this expression is “Too many cooks in the kitchen.” A lot people trying to work in a kitchen around a small table or stovetop will likely make a mess and ruin the food.

This proverb talks about the trouble of too many people trying to do the same thing at once.

I think there should only be two or three people working on this project. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

If you eat your cake, you won’t have it anymore, will you? So you can’t do both. This proverb is about having two opposite desires, and how it’s impossible to get both.

Its meaning is the opposite of the expression, “to have the best of both worlds.”

No, I’m not going to give you money when you spent what you had on games. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

If a lot of people carry a heavy object, it doesn’t feel heavy. That is the general meaning of this proverb.

If everyone works together to complete something—like cleaning, painting or group projects—then each person has less to do. More importantly, the job will be completed much more quickly.

Please help us with this project. Many hands make light work.

Sometimes, this proverb is shortened to just “when in Rome…” When you are a visitor somewhere away from home, you should act like everyone else. It’s polite to do so, and could keep you from getting into trouble.

This proverb refers to the ancient days of the Roman Empire when the capital city had visitors from all over the world. Cultures were very different between cities in those times. But while in Rome, people needed to behave like a Roman, no matter where they came from.

In Japan, bowing is polite, so when in Rome, do as the Romans do .

This proverb tells you not to worry so much! Problems will certainly come in the future. But what can be done about that now?

It’s better to think about what you’re doing right now—without worrying about the unknown—and take care of issues when they actually happen.

Don’t worry about the test next month when you still have to pass an exam tomorrow. You shouldn’t cross the bridge until you come to it .

Lying a lot can be difficult, because you might forget your lies. Soon enough, someone will find out that you’re lying. Then, you’re in trouble. And even if no one ever finds out, you’ll feel guilty for not telling the truth.

But if you’re honest and tell the truth, people will believe you and respect you. You’ll earn their trust and sleep well at night.

Even if you make a mistake, honesty is the best policy . Tell the truth.

It would be amazing if you picked up a guitar for the first time and could play it like a rock star. Or if the first time you got in a car, you could drive like a professional. Or if you could speak English perfectly after one lesson.

Everything is difficult when you’re a beginner. But if you stick with it and keep practicing, you can master anything.

You can get better at soccer by doing drills every day. Practice makes perfect.

This proverb is said to encourage people who want to give up. Sometimes, we face problems that seem impossible. But if you want it bad enough, nothing can stand in your way.

That is what this proverb means—if you have the will to meet the problems that are in front of you, there’s a way to overcome them.

Maria saved up half her earnings to go to college. She is proof that where there’s a will, there’s a way .

Don’t rush into things! Make sure you know what’s going to happen next. You wouldn’t jump off a cliff without first checking how far the ground is below or what there is to land on.

You should wait a few moments and make sure it’s a good idea to jump from that cliff. So, when making a big “jump” in life, make sure you’ve looked at the situation and really understood it before you take a big action.

When making important decisions, always look before you leap .

If someone gives you free things or offers to help you do something when you really need it, you can’t ask for a different color or choose the perfect time in your schedule.

When you receive help or goods and you don’t really have many other options, you should accept what you’re offered. You can’t be picky (a “chooser”) because you’re not paying!

It’s hard to book a good hotel during peak seasons. Beggars can’t be choosers.

People sometimes get very upset over small problems. This proverb reminds you to take a moment and see how important (or not important) the issue is.

Messing up your laundry or being late for work isn’t very important when you consider your entire life. So, it’s important to stay calm and not get angry about tiny problems.

Another version of this saying is the classic American proverb, “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill .”

It’s just a small scratch, Dave. Don’t make a mountain out of an anthill.

An apple is full of Vitamin C, which keeps you healthy. However, the “apple” in this proverb means eating healthy in general.

If you eat well and your diet includes a lot of fruits and vegetables, there will be no need to visit the doctor.

My grandma believes that an apple a day keeps the doctor away . That’s why she always has a fresh batch of apples in the fridge.

This proverb is a lot like the phrase “First come, first served.” It simply means that it’s usually best to be early.

If you arrive earlier—whether it’s to a clothing store, restaurant, conference, etc.—you’ll have the best options to choose from. If you come later, though, the best clothes could’ve sold out, the restaurant could be full and have a long waiting time, etc.

Wake up early if you want to finish your homework. The early bird catches the worm , after all.

While being the early bird is the best, even latecomers may get something for coming. It would be a lot worse if they never came at all.

This proverb is often said about ending fights with people. It’s better to apologize and make up years later than to never resolve your fight at all.

You can still join the party, Kyle. You know what they say: Better late than never !

This proverb means that a secret has been told. It comes from the Middle Ages and was common advice given in the market.

You may have thought you purchased a tasty pig, but the seller put a simple cat in the bag instead. “To let the cat out of the bag” was to reveal the seller’s trick.

We were planning a surprise, but now the cat is out of the bag .

If somebody insults you or harms you (“a wrong”), doing the same to them (“two wrongs”) will not make everything okay.

It will most likely cause a back-and-forth fight without end. If somebody is mean to you, don’t be mean to them in return because it’s not right to be so.

He hit you, but hitting back won’t help. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

When you’re starting on a project or a journey, it’s best to start with a good attitude and a lot of energy.  First impressions (what people think about you when they meet you for the first time) can last for a long time.

That’s why this proverb is also used when meeting new people or for job interviews. Having a positive attitude—your “best foot”—is the best way to make a good impression.

In the job interview, remember to smile, be confident and always put your best foot forward .

Rome is a great city. However, it took many years to be completed. The builders didn’t rush to complete their work and neither should you.

If you wish to create something wonderful and long-lasting, you’ll have to spend more than a day working on it. You’ll probably have to spend several days, weeks or even months to do a good job. Take your time and do it right!

It’s okay that you don’t draw like an expert in the beginning. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Do everything possible to keep bad things from happening to you. It only takes a second to put on a seatbelt or to check that you locked the door.

But if you’re not safe, the bad results can last a lifetime. So, it’s better for you to be careful. Otherwise, you’ll be sorry.

Wear your helmet when biking. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

This proverb warns against acting mean to those who provide for you or do nice things for you.

If you were to bite the hand that gave you food, that hand probably won’t come back to feed you again. Then what would you eat? So, you should be kind and thankful to those who care for you.

Even if you’re upset, be nice to your boss. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

If you have a problem but never talk about it, no one will help you. How could they? But if you tell someone, things will get better.

This proverb is about someone who complains a lot (the “squeaky wheel”) because they get more attention (“the grease”). For example, a child who cries a lot will get more attention from his mother than his silent brothers and sisters.

If you need help, speak up! The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

If you take a bite of food that’s too big, you won’t be able to chew! Plus, you could choke on all of that extra food.

It’s the same if you take on more work or responsibility than you can handle—you’ll have a difficult time. So, it’s best not to get involved in too many projects, because you won’t be able to focus and get them all done well.

Did you really just decide to write two papers in one night? I don’t think you should bite off more than you can chew .

No one likes sleeping in a poorly made bed. If you make your bed with the sheets all tangled and blankets facing the wrong way, you can’t switch with someone else. You have to sleep in that bed.

This proverb uses bed-making to describe any bad situation in which you may find yourself. You can’t trade places with anyone else. You must live with the results of your actions, so make good choices.

You didn’t study for the test, and will probably fail because of it. You made your bed, now you have to lie in it.

The Greek philosopher Plato once said that action is character. People aren’t defined by what they say because a lot of talk doesn’t mean anything. People are judged by the things they do. Your actions are more important than what you say.

Instead of promising to help, just help. Actions speak louder than words.

This proverb is often said during a fight in which one person is putting all of the blame on the other person, when both people were actually responsible.

Just as one person can’t  tango (a Spanish dance with two people) alone, two people are responsible for some situations, so you can’t just blame one person.

In a relationship, it takes two to tango .

This proverb warns against being too eager. Just because you have five eggs doesn’t mean you will have five chickens. It’s not a good idea to make plans based on  expectations (what you think will happen). Things may not happen like you thought they would and that could get you in trouble.

I know you’re excited about the job interview, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch .

Milk is easy to get. You may get in trouble for spilling the milk, but you shouldn’t cry because it isn’t a big deal. Also, crying won’t solve anything.

This proverb advises you to stay calm during such small problems. Don’t waste time worrying about little things that cannot be changed. Clean up the mess and go buy some more milk.

I accidentally broke my favorite mug, but it’s no use crying over spilled milk . I’ll just buy a new one.

Be careful! If you put all your goods in one bag or all your money in one stock, you’re taking a big risk. It’s smarter to spread your wealth around. That way, if one basket should break, you’re not left with nothing.

When it comes to investing in stocks, don’t put all your eggs in one basket .

“People in glass houses” means anyone who is sensitive about their failures. People like this shouldn’t insult others (shouldn’t “throw stones”), because the other person will likely turn around and insult you back.

And like glass, which is easy to break, your  self-esteem (what you think of yourself) will easily break into pieces.

You shouldn’t criticize others for their mistakes when you have your own flaws. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones .

Only a stone that’s in the same place for a long time will have moss growing on it. On the other hand, a stone on the move will remain bare.

The same is true with people. If you remain in one place for a long time, the signs of life—friends, family, objects and your local  reputation (what people think of you)—will grow on you. But if you always move from place to place, the opposite will happen.

Sarah loves to travel and try new things, because she believes that a rolling stone gathers no moss .

This proverb advises you to do things in the right order. Don’t skip over the more difficult or less enjoyable tasks to get to the easier, more fun ones.

For example, if you have an exam to study for the same night your friend is having a party, study for the exam first. The party would be more fun, but the exam is more important, so it should be done first.

First things first : Finish your chores before you start your homework.

“Still waters run deep” describes people who are quiet and calm. These people often have “deep,” interesting personalities. So even if someone doesn’t talk a lot, they could still be very thoughtful.

The proverb uses water to describe people. When the surface of a body of water is rough and fast, it usually means that it’s  shallow (not deep) and has rocks close to the surface, like in a river or stream. But water that is calm and still is often very deep, like in a lake.

John may seem quiet, but still waters run deep .

This phrase is used when someone is trying to change or “improve” a way of doing something that works perfectly well. Why change something that works? You could ruin everything! This proverb goes nicely with the expression “leave well enough alone.”

*Note: “Ain’t” is not correct English. It’s an informal way of saying “isn’t” or “is not.” This style of speaking is popular in the Southern states of the United States and in farming regions.

Our company has a general policy along the lines of “ if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. “

This proverb is often used to stop someone from asking too many questions.

Curiosity (when you’re excited and eager to know something) can lead you into dangerous situations. Cats, who are naturally curious, often end up in trouble. They can get stuck up in trees or between walls.

My little sister opened the mysterious box even though she was told not to. Well, curiosity killed the cat .

Do things in the right order—from the simplest to the most complicated.

For example, don’t try to read a difficult English novel when you’re just starting to learn English . If you try to jump ahead, you’ll most likely fail—just like a child who tries to run before learning to walk will fall.

All things will come in time, but you must be patient and go through the proper process.

Before you study calculus, you’ll want to master algebra first. Learn to walk before you run .

This proverb is often said to people who waste their money on silly purchases.

Things that grow on trees, such as fruit or leaves, are considered  plentiful (enough, plenty) because they’ll grow back. If you eat an apple from a tree, more apples will continue to grow.

But money must be earned through hard work, and doesn’t “grow back” after you spend it. Once you spend money, it’s gone.

We can’t buy everything we want. Money doesn’t grow on trees , you know.

This phrase shouldn’t be taken literally. You say this proverb when you can’t do what you would like to do, especially when someone asks you to do something.

For example, let’s say you are in charge of an office and everyone (including you) wants to celebrate someone’s birthday. But your boss tells you it’s against the rules. You could tell your coworkers, “Sorry, my hands are tied.” You would like to have a birthday celebration with them, but you can’t.

I would love to help, but my hands are tied . I have too many assignments to complete.

Only a small amount of an iceberg can be seen above the surface of the water. Most of it lies below.

This proverb uses the iceberg to describe a situation where you are only beginning to understand the problem. The little signs that you can see are in fact part of a much larger problem.

The argument was just the tip of the iceberg . There are deeper issues that need to be addressed.

No information about a situation suggests that nothing bad has happened. This phrase is said by families waiting nervously for news of a father or son who has gone to war.

To receive news would mean hearing that your loved one has been killed, captured or hurt. Even though it’s difficult to know nothing about what’s happening, it’s still better than hearing bad news.

I haven’t heard from the job interview yet, but no news is good news , right?

If you can see something every day, your mind will think about it. This proverb is about the habit of forgetting things that are not nearby.

For example, if you want to stop eating chips and junk food, you could move them from the countertop and hide them in a cupboard. If you don’t see them, you won’t think to eat them. Out of sight, out of mind.

Since I moved to a new city, my old friends are out of sight, out of mind .

This proverb simply means that if you help me, I’ll help you, too. Usually, when you do a favor for someone, they do something for you in return. This can be  beneficial (helpful) to both people.

If you help me with my project, I’ll help you with yours. It’s a “scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours” situation.

Ignorance is when you don’t know or are unaware of something.  Bliss is pure joy and happiness. So, sometimes it feels better and you’re more comfortable when you don’t know about certain things—for example, events on the news.

Sometimes, not knowing the harsh reality can be better—as they say, ignorance is bliss .

Money, fame, love or anything that happens easily can be lost just as quickly. If you get a lot of money or suddenly become famous, you could lose that money or fame very quickly—since you didn’t work hard to earn it.

I found 20 dollars on the street, but I lost it later in the day. Well, easy come, easy go .

Forbidden  means it’s not allowed, so this phrase means that if something isn’t allowed, you often want it the most (it will “taste” the sweetest).

For example, let’s say you’re a kid whose parents don’t let you drink soda. You go to a friend’s house, and her parents ask if you want a soda. You say yes and really enjoy that soda because you never get to drink it at home.

Even though she was told not to eat the cookies, the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest , and she couldn’t resist.

People say this when things are going badly or when someone is sad. Clouds stand for bad situations. Every bad situation has some good parts to it—you just have to look for them.

This proverb is meant to help people feel better and keep going. It’s also where the name of the movie “Silver Linings Playbook” came from.

Even though I lost my job, I found a new opportunity. Every cloud has a silver lining .

Speaking of movies, you can watch more of these proverbs in action through the language learning platform FluentU .

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An omelet is a tasty dish and worth the effort to make. However, you must break some eggs to make it.

Sometimes, to get things done, you have to be pushy or break a few rules. You may even have to insult some people. So if you want to get a worthwhile project done or make changes, you can’t please everyone. Someone might be offended or hurt, so you have to decide if the price is worth it.

Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

In the old days, fairgrounds would give cigars as prizes for games. The phrase “close, but no cigar” means that you were close to succeeding in the game, but you didn’t win the cigar.

As a proverb, it means that even though you did your best or almost had it right, you weren’t able to meet your goal.

I was close to winning the race, but I came in second place. Close, but no cigar .

This proverb is saying that there’s more than one way to do or accomplish something.

For example, during your English learning journey, you’ve probably been told “this is the best way” or “this is the best resource,” but “the best” is really whatever personally works for you. You have to figure out the best way to skin the cat—figuratively, of course!

If your initial plan doesn’t work out, don’t worry. There’s more than one way to skin a cat .

Sometimes, we take for granted what we have, and also don’t realize what we have until it’s gone. This proverb claims that the most valuable thing you have is what you already have!

For example, let’s say you have $100. You could just put this $100 into your savings account, or you could take it to Las Vegas to try to turn it into $1000. But it’s likely that you’ll lose it. So, stick with the bird (that $100) in your hand.

I was considering a job offer from another city, but my current job is stable. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

This is saying that you don’t go looking for problems and making things more difficult for yourself.

You’ve probably noticed that the word “trouble” is repeated four times in this proverb—twice as verbs and twice as nouns.

In English, many words can be used as different parts of speech .

Don’t worry about things you can’t control. Never trouble trouble ’til trouble troubles you.

This verb is saying that you should be independent and not rely on others so much. It’s possible to have more than one person paddle a canoe, but if you want to succeed in life, you need to learn to do it on your own.

Take charge of your own life and decisions; in other words, paddle your own canoe .

This proverb says that the  remedy or solution to a problem might not be pleasant, but the end result can be wonderful.

For example, exercise may not be fun while you’re doing it, but if you stick with it, you’ll be healthier.

The criticism was tough to hear, but it made me improve. Bitter pills may have blessed effects .

This proverb is a good reminder that darkness is always followed by light.

At some point during your English learning journey, you’ll likely encounter a phase (hopefully, a very short one) where you feel like you’ve hit a wall, you’re frustrated, you don’t feel like you’re progressing or you feel like you just want to give up.

This is the darkest moment!

But if you stick with it and keep practicing and putting in the effort, the dawn (i.e., you being fluent in English) will eventually come!

I know you feel terrible right now, but it’s always darkest before the dawn .

This proverb advises against being a hypocrite (someone whose words don’t match what they do, or vice versa).

For example, this proverb would apply to a classmate who’s being mean to someone because they didn’t know what a certain word meant in English, even though this classmate often makes a lot of mistakes in English.

Jenny criticized her friend’s cooking, but she forgot she burned dinner last week. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

This proverb is mainly used to offer  condolences (sympathy) to someone who has just broken up with their significant other. This proverb suggests that the heartbroken person shouldn’t worry too much because there are plenty of other potential partners out there.

This proverb might be incorporated into a conversation like this:

Your friend: Shelly just broke up with me. I’m going to be alone forever!

You: I’m so sorry she broke up with you. But you shouldn’t worry too much. There are plenty more fish in the sea .

Meaning: Don’t take something someone says or does too seriously.

This proverb can be used when someone is telling you something that probably isn’t entirely true. In this case, you’d take what they say with a grain of salt.

We all know someone who always exaggerates or doesn’t tell the entire truth. These are the types of people whose words should be taken with a grain of salt.

When listening to gossip, it’s wise to take it with a grain of salt . Not everything may be true.

This American proverb reminds us that great people and accomplishments often come from  modest (simple) beginnings. This proverb can certainly be applied to your English language learning journey!

You might have started with little to no understanding of the English language. But from these humble beginnings, you can grow into a strong English speaker!

The fact that his multimillion dollar corporation started as a tiny store is proof that from little acorns mighty oaks do grow .

This strange proverb actually has nothing to do with horses.

It means that you can give someone something that they need (like water in this case), but there’s no way you can force them to use that something (or drink the water) until they’re ready to do it.

In other words, you can’t force someone to do something, even if it’s good for them.

For example, your parents can give you money to attend university, but they can’t make you actually go to class. That decision is totally up to you.

Don’t force him to do something he doesn’t want to do. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink .

Patience is valued in American culture, so this proverb tells you that waiting—although boring—can lead to great outcomes.

For example, let’s say you want to buy a new car. Well, it may take a while because you have to work and save your money. But after a year, you finally have the money and the model you wanted to buy is way better than last year’s model. So, the wait was worth it!

If you’re working hard and not seeing results right now, know that good things come to those who wait .

In American culture, “lemons” are often bad things. They’re sour and pretty much useless on their own. You’d much rather have a fresh strawberry or an orange.

So, when life gives you lemons (hardship), just squeeze those lemons into a glass, add a little sugar or water and have a delicious and refreshing drink. You’ve turned something bad into something great!

When life gives Kate lemons, she makes lemonade . For example, after losing her job, she decided to start her own business that’s now earning a lot of money.

English has many proverbs, and these are just the tip of the iceberg.

But you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew. Start with these useful English proverbs and sayings, and you’ll be using them yourself in no time!

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Essay on important and famous Proverb

Table of Contents

Proverb is a simple and factual saying said by the experienced and great personalities of any country over any subject. Proverbs are generally prove the real facts in the life. All the proverbs said are generally express truth or advice based on the common sense. Proverbs said by the personalities become the practical experiences of the humanity.

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Proverbs may be over discipline, health, ethics, time, education, cleanliness, hygiene, diseases, honesty, knowledge, etc. Here we have provided variety of essay on proverbs said by the famous personalities all over the world. Students can be assigned in their schools or colleges to discuss meaning, prove the fact or write some paragraphs or full essay on any proverb given by the teacher or examiner. You can select any proverb essay given below under different words limit.

What is Proverbs?

An English proverb is a short, wise saying that people use to give advice or share a truth about life. These sayings are so common that native English speakers might use them in conversations without even realizing it.

Proverbs can make it easier to explain things. For example, instead of saying, “We need to talk to the client before any other company does to be successful,” someone can simply say, “the early bird catches the worm.” Everyone will understand what they mean. Proverbs use familiar words to convey a message that everyone knows.

Proverbs are often used to make a point or share wisdom. They are different from regular speech because they use metaphors or symbols. Some proverbs are tied to specific cultures or places, but most are known and used by people from all around the world, and they get passed down from one generation to the next.

Surprisingly, some of the oldest proverbs were written by the Sumerians about 4,000 years ago. Researchers found tablets with over a thousand of these Sumerian sayings. When they translated them, they realized how timeless and universal these bits of wisdom are, showing that proverbs connect people across different times and places.

And just to be clear, English proverbs are not the same as the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament.

Popular Proverbs in English for Students

• Many hands make light work: When lots of folks work together on a tough job, it doesn’t feel as tough. This saying means that when people collaborate, the work becomes simpler and gets done faster.

Strike while the iron is hot: This saying suggests that you should make the most of a good opportunity before it goes away or turns into something less favorable.

Honesty is the best policy: The right thing to do is to be truthful and honest. When you do this, people will trust and respect you.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence: People often think that others have happier and more successful lives than their own, even when things are going well for them.

Don’t judge a book by its cover: Try not to decide what you think about someone or something just by how it looks on the outside.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away: This saying suggests that eating healthy, like apples, with lots of vitamin C, helps keep us healthy and reduces trips to the doctor. In this English saying, apples represent good, nutritious food.

Better late than never: It’s often better to do something later than to never do it.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you: Don’t mistreat the person or people you rely on or who look after you in any manner

Rome wasn’t built in a day: Great or important things require a certain amount of time to be accomplished.

Actions speak louder than words: You can judge someone’s real character by their actions, not just their words. People can talk a lot, but they might not actually do what they say.

Related Information

• Essay on Practice makes a Man Perfect for Students
• Essay on Where there is a will there is a way for students

Essay on important and famous Proverb FAQs

What is a proverb in an essay.

A proverb in an essay is a short, wise saying that imparts valuable advice or wisdom in a concise and memorable way.

How do you write a proverb in an essay?

To include a proverb in an essay, you can introduce it with a relevant context and use quotation marks, followed by an explanation of its relevance to your essay's topic.

What's a famous proverb?

A famous proverb is 'Actions speak louder than words,' which means that what people do is more important than what they say.

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An Essay on the Importance of Proverbs

Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that offer wisdom and guidance for everyday life. This essay explores the importance of proverbs in our culture, including their ability to provide insight, teach valuable lessons, and connect us to our shared history and heritage.

Essay About Proverb – The Wisdom of Proverbs

Introduction

Proverbs are a type of saying that have been used for centuries to convey wisdom and offer guidance for everyday life. From “actions speak louder than words” to “a penny saved is a penny earned,” proverbs have become an integral part of our cultural heritage, providing us with insight and understanding into the world around us.

Insightful Guidance

One of the primary benefits of proverbs is their ability to provide insightful guidance for everyday life. Whether we are facing challenges at work, in our relationships, or in our personal lives, proverbs can offer valuable advice on how to navigate these situations with grace and wisdom.

Teachable Lessons

Another important aspect of proverbs is their ability to teach valuable lessons about life, human nature, and morality. Proverbs like “honesty is the best policy” and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” offer timeless wisdom that can help us navigate difficult ethical dilemmas and make decisions that are in line with our values.

Connecting us to our Heritage

Proverbs also play an important role in connecting us to our shared history and heritage. They offer a glimpse into the beliefs, values, and traditions of previous generations, providing us with a window into the cultural, social, and political forces that have shaped our world.

In conclusion, proverbs are an essential part of our cultural heritage, providing us with wisdom, insight, and guidance for everyday life. They offer valuable lessons about human nature and morality, and connect us to our shared history and heritage. By taking the time to reflect on the wisdom of proverbs, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

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Proverbs: An Introduction

• Resources & Preparation
• Instructional Plan
• Related Resources

Out of the frying pan and into the fire! A stitch in time saves nine! Look before you leap! Traditional proverbs like these, meant to convey cultural knowledge and wisdom, are often closely tied to a culture's values and everyday experience, and their meanings are not always readily apparent to us today. In this lesson, students learn about proverbs: how they work, how they differ from clichés, how to interpret them, and how they can be culturally and personally significant. They begin by talking about proverbs that they already know and the differences between proverbs and clichés. Next, they interview family and friends to find proverbs that were not discussed in class. Then they try to figure out the meaning of these proverbs and talk about why they think some of the proverbs were difficult to understand. Finally, students create a new definition of proverbs based on what they've learned.

From Theory to Practice

Cruz and Duff  argue that working with proverbs in the classroom can improve students' learning experiences, their language skills, and their understanding of themselves and the world. Among several advantages they mention, they maintain that working with proverbs "acknowledges the learner as an expert...(and) lightheartedly and often humorously exposes common beliefs and traditions among a diverse set of learners," "encourages respect for oneself, for each other, and for shared values of the community," "provides learners with the opportunity for insight," "creates the transition from home culture to school culture," and "enriches thinking and writing skills." This lesson taps into those benefits by introducing students to proverbs.

Further Reading

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

• 1. Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.
• 3. Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics).
• 6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.
• 9. Students develop an understanding of and respect for diversity in language use, patterns, and dialects across cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions, and social roles.
• 11. Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.
• 12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).
• Common Proverbs
• Proverb Definitions
• Proverb Handout

Preparation

• Print out a copy of the Proverb Definitions handout.
• Print out a copy of the Common Proverbs handout, one for each student if you choose to use it.
• Print out a copy of the Proverb Handout , one for each student.

Student Objectives

Students will

• learn about proverbs, how they work, and their cultural significance.
• learn the difference between proverbs and clichés.
• share, study, and interpret proverbs.
• find a proverb that rings true for them and explain its significance.

Session One

• Using the  Proverb Definitions handout, explain what proverbs are and provide a few examples. Discuss the difference between proverbs and clichés.
• Ask the students to write down some proverbs they know and then ask them to share some of them. If necessary or if you wish, you can use the  Common Proverbs handout to help class discussion get started.
• Ask them where they've learned proverbs, where they hear proverbs used, and why they think proverbs can be important to people.
• Distribute the family  Proverb Handout and ask students to interview their family and friends for additional proverbs. Encourage them to try to find proverbs that haven't been mentioned in class.

Session Two

• Go back around the room and have each student read out one of their proverbs again, and ask the class to work out the meaning of each.
• Discuss the collection of proverbs the class has created. Are there common proverbs, proverbs that much of the class knows? If so, what makes them common? Are there proverbs that only one or two students know? If so, can the class figure out what makes that proverb less well known. (As proverbs contain cultural knowledge and cultural values, commonality will be dependent upon the cultural make-up of the class. The proverbs your students will know will be largely dependent upon their home cultures.)
• Ask the students if there were any proverbs which they found to be difficult to interpret. If there were, discuss why they think those proverbs were difficult.
• Ask the class to create a new definition of proverbs based upon what they've learned so far.
• This lesson can be followed up with the ReadWriteThink lessons Proverbs: At Home and Around the World and Proverbs: Contemporary Proverbs.
• Exploring Personal Proverbs: Ask the students to use Websites llisted in the Resources section to look for proverbs they like, proverbs that resonate with them. Have each student choose one of those proverbs and write an essay about an occasion in which that proverb rang true or, alternatively, write a fable which illustrates the proverb.
• Proverbs in Literature: Connect the study of proverbs to literary works that rely upon or foreground proverbs. Proverbs are common elements in fables and fairy tales. Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Amy Tan are three authors that make extensive use of proverbs. Some specific works that make extensive use of proverbs include Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain, Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya, House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, and the Bible.

Student Assessment / Reflections

• Observe the students as they present and discuss their proverbs. Are they interested and engaged with the discussion? Do their comments demonstrate a growing understanding of the material?
• Collect the family  Proverb Handouts and check for completeness. Has the student gathered proverbs and explained their significance?

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• Kindergarten K

200+ Common Proverbs in English [with Meaning and Example]

• Figurative Language
• Updated on Nov 12, 2023

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Proverbs and sayings are popular nuggets of wisdom, often in circulation for centuries and even millenniums. This post covers more than 200 common proverbs, each of which is followed by meaning and use in an example sentence.

If you’re looking for more proverbs and sayings, you can find plenty of them in the resource below. It contains proverbs on topics such as life, family, friends, love, health, happiness, money, hard work, time, time management, teamwork, leadership, business, education & learning, and more.

1. A bad workman always blames his tools.

This proverb is used when someone blames the quality of their equipment or other external factors when they perform a task poorly.

Example : X: The food isn’t cooked well because the oven is not functioning well. Y: Well, it’s the case of a bad workman blaming his tools.

2. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

Certainty of having something in hand is better than mere probability of having even more things.

Example : X: Why did you turn down that job offer when you don’t have anything concrete in hand at the moment? Y: Well, I’m confident I’ll land one of the two jobs I interviewed for last week. And they’re better than this one. X: In my opinion, you should’ve taken it. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

3. Absence makes heart grow fonder.

When we’re away from loved ones, we long for their company more than in normal times.

Example : When I was with him, he always fought with me, but now he cries for me on phone. I think distance made his heart grow fonder.

4. A cat has nine lives.

Cat can survive seemingly fatal events.

Example : I haven’t seen him in months, but I wouldn’t really worry about him. Everyone knows a cat has nine lives.

5. Action speaks louder than words.

Action is a better reflection of one’s character than words because it’s easy to say things, but difficult to act on them and follow through.

Example : The interviewee had an impressive resume, but he struggled to perform the task given during the interview. Actions speak louder than words, don’t they?

6. A diamond with a flaw is better than a common stone that is perfect.

A rare, precious opportunity that comes with some problems is better than a regular opportunity that seems to be perfect.

Example : I would advise you to work in a market that is growing fast than in a mature market. The former has its own problems, but that’s where you grow fast in your career. A diamond with a flaw is better than a common stone that is perfect.

7. A drowning man will clutch a straw.

When someone is in a difficult situation, s/he will take any available opportunity to come out of it.

Example : After trying all reliable medicines, he is now visiting quacks to get a cure for his baldness. A drowning man will clutch a straw.

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8. A fool and his money are soon parted.

Fools lose money because of their foolish conduct.

Example : He shared his credit card details on a phishing call and lost more than $10,000. A fool and his money are indeed parted sooner or later.

9. After victory, tighten your helmet chord.

There is no room for complacency. Get down to work after a victory. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, calls it Day 0 mentality.

Example : Our Company has won a major deal worth $600 M, but we can’t relax as many more deals are up for grabs, with the competition gnawing at our heels. After the victory, it’s time to tighten our helmet chord.

10. A good listener is a silent flatterer.

Human beings have an innate desire to be listened, but only few are good listeners. So, if you listen to someone attentively, you’ll flatter them.

Example : One of the reasons I could build such a network of friends is my ability to listen (more than speak) to people. A good listener is a silent flatterer, after all.

11. A goose quill is more dangerous than a lion’s claw.

Foul, inconsiderate words can cause more pain than a physical attack.

Example : Even when you’re angry, convey your point politely because a goose quill is more dangerous than a lion’s claw.

12. A happy heart is better than a full purse.

What’s the use of money if you’re unhappy despite loads of it? Happiness is better than plenty. A 2010 study at Princeton University points that happiness increases with money but only till basic needs are met. After that, money matters much less.

Example : My cousin is a multi-millionaire, but he is super-busy and stressed, with little time to spend time with his family. I guess a happy heart is better than a full purse.

13. A jack of all trades is master of none.

A person with some knowledge of several fields (jack of all trades) can’t be a master in any of them.

Example : You’ve hopped from marketing to sales to business development in your organization. That’s too many. A Jack of all trades is master of none.

14. A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.

Howsoever big a task is, it starts with a small step.

Example : I’m feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of completing 4,000-word paper by next week, but I guess I’ll start by writing 500 words every day. After all, a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.

15. A lean agreement is better than a fat lawsuit.

In disputes, it’s better to compromise and get only part of the potential outcome than to contest an expensive lawsuit for years, with no guarantee on the outcome.

Example : We often see two parties, especially companies, arrive at a compromise than contest the case in courts. They clearly understand that a lean agreement is better than a fat lawsuit.

16. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.

People can’t change their innate character, especially bad.

Example : X: Do you think he’ll stop copying after being caught and penalized? Y: I don’t think so. A leopard can’t change its spots.

17. All is fair in love and war.

One can break the rules of fair play under extenuating circumstances.

Example : In the face of cutthroat competition, some companies adopt unfair practices. To them, it seems all is fair in love and war.

18. All is well that ends well.

As long as the outcome is good, problems on the way don’t matter.

Example : I’m glad you finally got here, even though your car had a flat tire on the way. All’s well that ends well.

19. All lay loads on a willing horse.

A person who says ‘yes’, even if hesitatingly, to any work given to him will soon find himself overloaded with work.

Example : When I joined the company two years back, I was too polite to say ‘no’ to work people asked me to do, and soon I was buried under work. All lay loads on a willing horse.

20. All that glitters is not gold.

Things that look good outwardly may not be as valuable or good.

Example : X: I want to be a movie star when I grow up. Y: Film industry looks good from outside, but it has its own problems. Remember, all that glitters is not gold.

21. Among the blind, one-eyed man is king.

An incapable person can gain powerful position if others in the fray are even more incapable.

Example : Despite his obvious lack of exposure and skills, he became head of the department because he is one-eyed among the blind.

22. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Eating an apple a day will keep you healthy.

Example : Switch from chips to apples for your snack because an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

23. An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.

This proverb exemplifies importance of leadership. A strong army (lions) led by a weak leader (sheep) can lose to a weak army (sheep) led by a strong leader (lion).

Example : The next CEO hasn’t held any leadership position in a large organization. I hope the board doesn’t regret its decision because an army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.

24. An empty vessel makes much noise.

Fools and persons with shallow knowledge often talk a lot.

Example : He has only superficial understanding of the subject but talked the most in the meeting, without adding any value. Empty vessel makes much noise.

25. An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.

People are generally more productive in the morning: first, they’re fresh after night’s sleep; second, there are fewer distractions in the morning.

Example : I get up at 6:00 AM and get so much work done by the time I leave for office. I’m a living example of the dictum that an hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.

26. An idle brain is devil’s workshop.

If you’ve nothing to do, you’ll likely think of mischief.

Example : The kids should be kept busy during the summer break. Otherwise, you know an idle brain is devil’s workshop.

27. An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.

A little precaution before a crisis is better than lot of firefighting afterwards.

Example : Get the vaccination on priority. An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.

28. A picture is worth a thousand words.

It is easier to explain something through a picture than through words.

Example : It is easier to learn biology through pictures than through reams of text. A picture is worth a thousand words.

29. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

A person who is constantly changing his job and relationships won’t have depth in any of them and would be unfulfilled.

Example : You’re now in your third industry in the last eight years, which doesn’t make you an expert in any of them. Remember, a rolling stone gathers no moss.

30. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what a ship is for.

Get out of your comfort zone to grow and fulfill your potential.

Example : I think your fears are unfounded. You should travel to Italy for the Model UN. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot. Remember, a ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is for.

31. Ask no questions and hear no lies.

Don’t ask questions which people can’t or don’t want to answer. If you ask such questions, you’ll hear only lies.

Example : When I asked my neighbour why he comes early from office on some days, he, in a wishy-washy tone, said that on such occasions he finishes his work early. Before asking this question, I should have remembered: Ask no questions and hear no lies.

32. A stitch in time saves nine.

It’s better to deal with problems immediately than wait, by when they worsen and become much bigger.

Example : Because we anticipated and responded to the possible change in Facebook algorithm, the referral traffic to our website dropped much less than what happened to some of our competitors. A stitch in time saves nine.

33. As you sow, so you shall reap.

Your actions – good or bad – determine what you get.

Example : You’re entangled in few cases of fraud because of your illegal get-rich-quick methods. You should have known as you sow, so you shall reap.

34. A thing begun is half done.

A good beginning makes it easier to accomplish rest of the project.

Example : He has already taken the first set in the match, and he should win the match from here. Well begun is half done, after all.

35. A tree is known by its fruit.

Like a tree is known by the fruit it bears, people are known by their character and actions (and not by their appearance).

Example : I see that you avoid him just because he isn’t good looking. Remember, a tree is known by its fruit.

36. Barking dogs seldom bite.

People who appear threatening rarely do harm.

Example : X: I’m really scared to report delay in the project to my temperamental boss. Y: I don’t think you should worry too much about it. Barking dogs seldom bite.

37. Beauty is in the eye of beholder.

What may seem beautiful to one person may not seem to another.

Example : You may not like the curves of my new car, but then beauty is in the eye of beholder.

38. Beauty is only skin deep.

A person’s character, intellect, and other inner qualities are more important than his/her physical appearance.

Example : The actress behaved so rudely with the driver – beauty is skin deep, after all.

39. Beggars can’t be choosers.

People who depend on the generosity of others can’t pick & choose things as per their liking. They’ve to accept what is given to them.

Example : X: I borrowed this jacket from my friend, but it’s not one of his nice ones. Y: Well, beggars can’t be choosers.

40. Begin to weave and God will give the thread.

When taking up a task that has no playbook to follow, we plan a lot and think a lot but don’t act. In such pursuits, you can’t foresee everything in advance and lot of assumptions will come to naught. What’s required is action. Plan, but act. Often, new paths open as you move forward.

Example : The path to develop human colony on Mars is challenging, but people have already started work on it. Hopefully, things will move forward. If you begin to weave, God will give the thread.

41. Be slow in choosing, but slower in changing.

Choose things or people after diligence, but once you choose, stick for long.

Example : Don’t be hasty in picking friends, but once you make friends with someone, don’t change him/her fast. You should be slow in choosing, but slower in changing.

42. Best things in life are free.

Most valuable things are often free.

Example : I feel so rejuvenated in clean air, sparkling water, and beautiful nature of the mountains. Often times, best things in life are free.

43. Better late than never.

It is better to get something (you desire) late than get it never.

Example : I’m attending graduate school at 35, but I guess it’s better late than never.

44. Better to be poor and healthy than rich and sick.

Health is more important than money.

Example : The pharma tycoon has been in and out of hospital for the past two months because of kidney ailment. It’s better to be poor and healthy than rich and sick.

45. Birds of a feather flock together.

People with similar nature seek out each other’s company.

Example : You usually hang out with people with background similar to yours. Birds of a feather flock together, after all.

46. Blood is thicker than water.

Relationships with family is stronger than other relationships.

Example : My friends invited me for the picnic on Sunday, but I have to go to my cousin’s birthday instead. Blood is thicker than water, isn’t it?

47. Clothes do not make a man.

A person’s character can’t be judged by his/her clothing and outward appearance.

Example : X: I can’t believe he has been charged for insider trading. He always seemed so professional and impeccable. Y: Well, clothes don’t make a man.

48. Cowards die many times before their death.

Cowards suffer the feared effects of death many times in their lives.

Example : X: He is constantly worried about losing his job, and I don’t think he’ll pursue his true interests. Y: He exemplifies the saying ‘cowards die many times before their deaths’.

49. Cross the stream where it is shallowest.

Do things in the easiest possible way.

Example : Let’s cross the stream at its shallowest and start promoting our product on YouTube, where we already have some following.

50. Curiosity killed the cat.

Enquiring into others’ work can be dangerous. One should mind own business.

Example : I know curiosity killed the cat, but I can’t stop investigating until I know where the donations are actually going.

51. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost.

The consequence of wrongdoings always catches up with the wrongdoer.

Example : Politicians can fool some people some of the time, but in the end, chickens come home to roost when votes are counted.

52. Different strokes for different folks.

Different people have different needs and wants, and we should be respectful to them.

Example : Because people differ in their tastes and habits, I try to provide different strokes for different folks when I invite my friends to my place.

53. Discretion is the better part of valor.

It is wise to be careful and not show unnecessary bravery.

Example : Son: Can I go for this mountaineering expedition? Father: No. Son: But my friends will say I’m a chicken if I don’t go! Father: Discretion is the better part of valor, and I’d rather have them call you chicken than risk your life.

54. Do as you would be done by.

Treat others like the way you would like to be treated. Some people, for example, ingratiate themselves with the powerful but treat less powerful with contempt. Don’t be like them.

Example : You shouldn’t have been rude to him. How would you feel if someone behaves the same way to you? You should do as you would be done by.

55. Doctors make the worst patients.

It’s difficult to advice a person on a matter in which he is an expert. This is because he thinks that he already knows the best about what to do.

Example : When I tried to advice my friend on how to increase revenue from his gas station, he argued why my suggestions wouldn’t work. He was clearly jumping the gun and not open to ideas. Doctors make the worst patients.

56. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

Don’t act badly toward the person who has helped you or from whom you derive some benefits, for you may lose those benefits in future.

Example : Don’t bite the hand that feeds you by talking ill of your mentor for such a small thing. If he distances from you or talk bad about you, it can hurt you bad.

57. Don’t carry coals to Newcastle.

In the past, Newcastle was known for its coal mines. Coal was mined here and taken to other parts of England. So, if you carry coal to Newcastle, you’re doing unnecessary work.

Example : When asked in the interview how you can make difference in your role, stay clear of the topic of SEO. They’re already industry leader in it, and you shouldn’t carry coals to Newcastle.

58. Don’t cast pearls before swine.

Don’t offer something valuable to someone who doesn’t value it.

Example : To serve them French cuisine is like casting pearls before swine.

59. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Don’t make plans based on future events that may not happen.

Example : You’re preparing for election campaign when you have not yet been nominated. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

60. Don’t cross the bridge till you come to it.

Deal with a situation when it happens and not unnecessarily worry about it in advance.

Example : I know you’re worried about the mortgage payment due in January, but don’t cross the bridge till you come to it.

61. Don’t empty the water jar until the rain falls.

Don’t quit something, say a job, before securing its replacement.

Example : After getting an average review in his annual performance appraisal, my friend left the organization without landing another job, and then he struggled to get another for several months. Don’t empty the water jar until the rain falls.

62. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Just like you can’t form an opinion of a book just by looking at its cover, you can’t form an opinion about someone (or something) from their outward appearance.

Example : He seems a bit jerk to me, but, hey, you never know. He may be good. You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

63. Don’t kill the goose that lays golden eggs.

If you kill a goose that lays golden eggs, you destroy something that makes lot of money for you.

Example : Tourists come to this city mainly to see this monument. By opening it to commercial use, the city council may kill the goose that lays golden eggs.

64. Don’t open a shop unless you know how to smile.

It’s difficult to attract customers without a pleasant persona.

Example : Since my friend has a neutral, if not cold, demeanour, I advised him not to open a shop unless he learns how to smile.

65. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Don’t put all your effort into a single course of action, venture, investment, goal, or the like, because if it doesn’t work, you lose everything.

Example : Almost entire revenue of the company comes from Facebook. If Facebook tweaks its policies in future, the company may sink. They shouldn’t put all their eggs in the same basket.

66. Don’t think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm.

Everything calm and peaceful doesn’t mean there are no dangers around.

Example : Even though the industry looks stable with predictable market share and revenue, there are always obscure start-ups which may threaten your company in future. Don’t think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm.

67. Don’t throw the baby with the bathwater.

Don’t discard something valuable while getting rid of something worthless.

Example : Let’s not throw the baby with the bathwater by scrapping the project for a subpart not planned well.

68. Eagles don’t catch flies.

Eagles catch bigger prey than flies, don’t they? Don’t take trivial matters to senior leaders in your organization. You have to resolve them, not they.

Example : You shouldn’t call the AVP for such small disruption in the supply chain. Resolve it yourself. Eagles, after all, don’t catch flies.

69. Early bird catches the worm.

One who starts early on the work has higher chance of success.

Example : I’ve come early for the season-ending sale so that I can choose from a wider selection and get a better piece. Early bird catches the worm, after all.

70. Empty bags can’t stand upright.

A poor or hungry person cannot discharge his duties well.

Example : You can’t expect poor people to fight for climate change, because empty bags can’t stand upright. They need to first fulfill their basic needs.

71. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Bad times will eventually give way to better times. (The presence of silver lining means that the sun is behind the cloud and will eventually emerge.)

Example : I know your business has suffered few setbacks this season. But remember, every cloud has a silver lining.

72. Every dog has his day.

Even the unluckiest or the most unfortunate will taste success at some point.

Example : Are you surprised that John, the laggard, has got 92 percent marks in math? Well, every dog has his day.

73. Every horse thinks its own pack is heaviest.

We think that we work the hardest. This is also called responsibility bias: People tend to overvalue their own contributions and undervalue contributions of others.

Example : X: You’re questioning my contribution! I’m the one who has worked the hardest on this project. I haven’t taken a day’s leave in six months. Y: Every horse thinks its own pack heaviest.

74. Every tub must stand on its own bottom.

We can’t hide incompetency behind teamwork. Everyone has to justify their expense.

Example : The manager has singled out my team member for unsatisfactory work in the current project. Message was clear: Every tub must stand on its own bottom.

75. Fall seven times; stand up eight.

Be resilient and try despite failures. That’s how you succeed.

Example : Abraham Lincoln lost so many elections, but he kept trying. Eventually he became the President of United States. It’s rightly said: Fall seven times; stand up eight.

76. Familiarity breeds contempt.

If you know a situation, person, or thing well, you start taking them for granted and stop respecting them.

Example : The reason for many breakups and disasters can be traced to contempt bred by familiarity.

77. Faults are thick where love is thin.

If the love is shallow, people will find faults in each other.

Example : We occasionally overhear accusations and counter-accusations coming from the neighboring family. Faults are thick where love is thin.

78. Fine feathers make fine birds.

Like birds with colorful feathers look attractive, people in fine clothes look appealing. However, don’t get swayed by external appearance when making friends.

Example : X: The person I’ve just been introduced to, no doubt, looks attractive.

Y: Why wouldn’t he? Fine feathers make fine birds, after all. But you shouldn’t go by attractiveness when making friends.

79. Flattery, like perfume, should be smelled but not swallowed.

Enjoy the flattery you receive, but don’t believe it because people often flatter to meet their own selfish interests.

Example : I know he was all praise for your business acumen, but don’t take his words literally as this guy needs business from us. Flattery, like perfume, should be smelled but not swallowed.

80. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Fools or inexperienced persons get involved in situations or pursue goals without much thought. In contrast, wise think through such situations or goals.

Example : He sent an angry email without going into the background of the matter – fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

81. Fortune favors the brave.

If you carry out your plans boldly, luck is more likely to favor you.

Example : I know you’re hesitant to accept the overseas position in your company because ground realities there are different from what you’ve faced so far, but remember fortune favors the brave.

82. For want of a nail the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost.

An insignificant nail resulted in the loss of the rider. Small things can have huge implications. So, don’t ignore nuances and minute details. They’re the ones that stand people out.

Example : Because of malfunction in a tiny component, the entire batch of 120,000 air conditioners had to be recalled. For want of a nail the shoe is lost… the rider is lost.

83. Get out while the going (getting) is good.

Get out of a situation while it’s still easy to leave on good terms.

Example : With the stock market at an all-time high and further upside looking difficult, we decided to sell our shares and get out while the going was good.

84. God helps those who help themselves.

God helps those who make sincere effort.

Example : You’ve to take the bull by horns and try getting a new job. God helps those who help themselves.

85. Good bargains empty the purse.

Good bargains can be tempting and entice people into buying more than required, most of which can even go unused.

Example : I bought three trousers and four shirts for 30 percent discount, even though I don’t need them. Good bargains indeed empty the purse.

86. Good swimmers are often drowned.

Overconfidence can doom even the competent.

Example : Kodak overlooked the prospect of digital photographs replacing its camera films. As a result, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2012 after more than 120 years in existence. Good swimmers are often drowned.

87. Good things come to those who wait.

Patience is often rewarded.

Example : The best investors in the world have made their fortunes by investing for the long term. Good things come to those who wait.

88. Good wine needs no bush.

A good product doesn’t need promotion; it spreads through word of mouth.

Example : Stripe, a financial services firm, grew mainly through word of mouth. Good wine needs no bush.

89. Grief divided is made lighter.

If you share your grief, it’ll get easier to bear.

Example : You shouldn’t hold back the news of financial loss you’ve incurred in your business. Grief divided is made lighter.

90. Half a loaf is better than none.

We should thank for what we get even though it’s less than what we had hoped for.

Example : I applied to six colleges and got admission in my second choice. Not ideal but it could have been worse. Half a loaf is better than no bread.

91. Home is where the heart is.

Don’t you feel relieved on reaching home after you’ve been away for few days? No matter where you visit, you’ll long to return to your home and family.

Example : I’ve been out of the town on work for only three days now, and I’m already longing to get back home. I guess, home is where the heart is.

92. Honesty is the best policy.

It’s always better to be truthful and honest, even if the opposite may get you short-term benefits.

Example : I think you should just explain what happened, rather than trying to cover your tracks. Honesty is the best policy, after all.

93. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Be optimistic, but be prepared for a scenario where things can go wrong.

Example : We’re hoping to raise capital from investors, but it may not come so soon. Therefore, it’s imperative to look for alternatives as well. Let’s hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

94. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

If things were to happen by just wishing them, even the poorest will have everything they want.

Example : X: I want to be in a job that would pay me a million dollars a year. Y: If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Stop fooling yourself and work hard towards your goal.

95. If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will escape hundred days of sorrow.

Actions and decisions taken in moments of anger aren’t the best. They can bring great misery. Wait for your anger to pass and then act or decide.

Example : The customer representative was upset at the illegitimate demand of the customer, but he remained calm and patient because he knew that if you are patient… sorrow.

96. If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly.

Something cheap will be of suspect quality and will trouble you later in the form of higher maintenance and/or poor performance.

Example : I bought the air conditioner at quite an attractive price, but it’s running a high electricity bill because it’s not very efficient. Moreover, it requires more maintenance. If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly.

97. If you can’t beat them, join them.

If you can’t beat your opponent, then work alongside them for mutual benefit.

Example : ABC Pvt. Ltd. has struck partnership with its competitor after it failed to gain market share. If you can’t beat them, join them.

98. If you play with fire, you’ll get burned.

If you do something dangerous or adventurous, you may get harmed.

Example : Enacting the stunts of movie superheroes in real life is playing with fire. You may get burned.

99. If you want peace, prepare for war.

If you utilize the peace time to get better at war, your adversaries will hesitate in waging a war on you, and hence the time of peace will stretch.

Example : We’re in a competitive industry. Therefore, we should use this time of high growth and less competition (time of peace, in other words) to shore up capital, diversify, invest in revenue streams of future, and hire good talent. If you want peace, prepare for war.

100. If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Working with others may be somewhat slow compared to solo work, but you’ll need to collaborate if you want long-term success because you can’t do everything yourself.

Example : If you want to grow your business and sustain it over the long term, build a team. If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

101. Ignorance is bliss.

If you don’t know about something, you don’t need to bother about it. In other words, if you’re unaware of something, it won’t cause you stress. This proverb, however, is often used in the opposite way – ignorance is not bliss.

Example : I didn’t know that the neighbor next door was involved in criminal activities. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

102. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Words of flattery may not be sincere. But action (imitation) is sincere. Who wouldn’t be flattered if someone imitates them in some way?

Example : In the conference, the Twitter influencer with more than a million followers was told by a follower that he has amassed more than 20,000 followers by following influencer’s advice. The influencer was extremely happy to hear that. Imitation, after all, is the sincerest form of flattery.

103. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

It’s better to be cautious than regret later.

Example : One shouldn’t complain about the inconvenience of security check each time you enter the building. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

104. It’s better to lose the battle and win the war.

It’s fine to lose small things if it helps you win the big pie.

Example : I climbed down from my position before the friendly argument could heat up, and we all parted amicably. It’s better to lose the battle and win the war.

105. It is easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general.

Leaders are not easy to find. Retain them at whatever price it takes if you’ve them.

Example : The Vice President was all set to leave Google and lead Twitter, but Google somehow convinced him not to leave as it knew that it’s easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general.

106. It’s never too late to mend.

It’s never too late to change course or make amends for a past mistake. Don’t let your ego come in between.

Example : I think it was your fault, and you should be the one to say sorry and make up with your estranged brother. It’s never too late to mend.

107. It is part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it.

People shouldn’t be subjected to discomfort beyond tolerance.

Example : The government raised taxes last year and shouldn’t raise them again. It is part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it.

108. It takes a village to raise a child.

It takes an entire community to raise children in safe and nourishing environment.

Example : Lionesses in a pride take care of cubs of other lionesses. Doesn’t it take a village to raise a child?

109. It takes two to make a quarrel.

Without involvement of at least two persons, a quarrel won’t happen. So, if one of the two persons decide, a quarrel won’t happen.

Example : X: Why are you so quarrelsome? Y: I’m not the only person involved. It takes two to make a quarrel.

110. It takes two to tango.

Where two parties are involved in a situation, fault usually lies with both if things go wrong. Rarely can one party be blamed entirely.

Example : This deal won’t go through unless you too are willing to compromise. It takes two to tango, after all.

111. Justice delayed is justice denied.

In many countries, wheels of justice move so slow that sometimes it takes decades to pronounce a judgment. This causes suffering in terms of time and money wasted and the long wait for justice.

Example : Verdict in the landgrab case has come after twelve long years. To contest the case, the victim had to sell off his land. Justice delayed is justice denied.

112. Kind words will unlock an iron door.

If you talk politely, people are more amenable to your suggestions and ask.

Example : The government officer was quite cold to my father but did the job when I made a polite request. Kind words can unlock an iron door.

113. Kings have long arms.

Governments have far-reaching powers.

Example : After committing the fraud, the tycoon fled to another country, but the government pulled all levers to get him extradited. Kings indeed have long arms.

114. Laughter is the best medicine.

Laughter reduces stress and improves immunity, leading to better health.

Example : I think the best thing for you right now would be to spend some time with people you can joke around with. Laughter is the best medicine, after all.

115. Learn to walk before you run.

Learn basic skills first before venturing into complex things.

Example : X: I want to submit my first article to Fortune magazine for publication. Y: I think you should aim for smaller publications to start with. You should learn to walk before you run.

116. Least said, soonest mended.

When you fall out with someone, restrain yourself from using foul, upsetting language. Words can leave a lasting impression and make it difficult to reconcile.

Example : When the argument heated up with my friend, I deescalated the matter, excused myself, and walked away. Least said, soonest mended.

117. Lend your money and lose your friend.

Lending money to a friend can lead to souring of friendship. If you ask to repay, he may feel offended, and if he fails to repay, you’ll be offended.

Example : I don’t like calling up Tom any longer for regular chitchats after he failed to return the money I lent three months back. Lend your money and lose your friend, I guess.

118. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Don’t talk about a bad situation people have forgotten and that could unnecessarily create problem in the present.

Example : X: Should I ask the professor if he is upset about my late submission of the assignment? Y: If he hasn’t said anything, then don’t bring forth the topic – let sleeping dogs lie.

119. Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.

Misfortune does not occur twice in the same way to the same person.

Example : X: I don’t want to take this route, because I was robbed the last time I travelled on this route. Y: Don’t worry, lightning never strikes twice in the same place.

120. Like people, like priest.

Quality of people is a good indicator of the quality of their leader. We expect our bureaucracy, politicians, and other leaders to be impeccable. But they don’t descend from heavens. They come from the very people they represent, and hence their quality will be reflective of the quality of people.

Example : As a society, we’re becoming more and more insensitive, self-centered, and apathetic on matters of public importance. Little wonder, our leaders too aren’t first rate. Like people, like priest.

121. Long absent, soon forgotten.

If you haven’t met or spoken to a friend or relative in long time, he’ll be forgotten. Such friendships eventually wither away or may just remain a distant acquaintance.

Example : I haven’t spoken to my college friend in years, and now I don’t even like to make the call. I guess I’ve moved on. Long absent, soon forgotten.

122. Look before you leap.

Consider all consequences before taking an action, especially when you can’t retract.

Example : X: I’m planning to pursue an MBA. Y: It’s an expensive degree and, moreover, you’ll be out of work for two years. I would say look before you leap.

123. Love me, love my dog.

If you love someone, then you should love them as they come with their qualities, shortcomings, friends, family, and so on.

Example : If you love her, then you should love her family and friends as well. Love me, love my dog. Isn’t it?

124. Make hay while the sun shines.

Make the most of favorable conditions till they last.

Example : I got plenty of referral traffic to my website from Facebook in its initial years. I made hay while the sun shone. Later on, they changed their algorithm, after which the referral traffic dried.

125. Make yourself all honey and the flies will devour you.

If you’re a yes-man and often talk sweet language to please others, people won’t respect you.

Example : X: This guy tries to keep everyone in good humor and will change his stand just for that. Y: True. That’s why people treat him with contempt. Make yourself all honey and the flies will devour you.

126. Money doesn’t grow on trees.

Spend money carefully because it’s limited. You can’t grow it on trees and replenish.

Example : I’m surprised that you spent your entire month’s salary on a frivolous gadget. Well, money doesn’t grow on trees.

127. Money talks.

Money gives one power and influence.

Example : I don’t have access to many people like he has, after all he is a scion of a rich family. Money talks, you know.

128. More die of food than famine.

More people die because of excess indulgence in food and eating unhealthy than because of shortage of food.

Example : You shouldn’t eat unhealthy snacks so regularly. Remember, more die of food than famine.

129. Murder will out.

Secrets rarely remain secret. They’ll eventually come out and be known to all.

Example : I tried my best to not let my organization know that I’m searching for another job, but, to my embarrassment, one of my teammates has come to know. It’s rightly said murder will out.

130. Necessity is the mother of invention.

A need or problem forces people to come up with innovative solutions.

Example : In some parts of the world, farmers use washing machine to clean potatoes. Necessity, after all, is the mother of invention.

131. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

Don’t delay doing something if you can do it immediately.

Example : X: I’m done with most of my assignment, but I’ll pick the remaining part on Monday. Y: Why don’t you complete it now? You’ll be more relieved and in a better state of mind. You shouldn’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

132. Never test the depth of water with both feet.

If you’re testing the depth of water with both feet down, you risk being drowned if the water turns out to be deep. But if you test with one foot, you can pull away. The proverb means that before going whole hog into something unknown, assess the risk well.

Example : Before investing such large sum in crypto and taking a hit, I should’ve first invested a small amount or talked to experts. One should never test the depth of water with both feet.

133. Night brings counsel.

If you have a difficult problem to solve or an important decision to make, a good night’s sleep will work wonders.

Example : Thinking over and over again about the problem isn’t leading to a solution. Why don’t you just sleep over the problem? Sometimes, night brings counsel.

134. No gain without pain.

To succeed in one’s pursuits, it is necessary to work hard and sacrifice pleasures.

Example : You’ve to drastically reduce the time you spend on video games and TV if you want to get admission in a good college. No gain without pain.

135. No news is good news.

If you don’t receive any news about someone or something, it means that everything is fine and going normally.

Example : My daughter has been working in Australia for nearly five years now. At first, I used to get worried when I didn’t hear from her, but now I know that no news is good news.

136. Oaks may fall when reeds stand the storm.

Those who are flexible and relatively insignificant can survive a crisis that brings down powerful who are unable or unwilling to adapt.

Example : In mass extinction events such as the one in which dinosaurs became extinct, large animals, which need plenty of food, go extinct first. Oaks may fall when reeds stand the storm.

137. Once bitten twice shy.

A person won’t do something a second time because he/she had bad experience the first time.

Example : I won’t try this drink, because last time I had a burning sensation in my throat. Once bitten twice shy, I guess.

138. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

What may seem to be junk to one person maybe valuable to another.

Example : I sold my 6-year-old laptop for little amount, but I’m sure the buyer will make hefty profit on it by refurbishing and selling it to someone else. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, after all.

139. Pen is mightier than sword.

Thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than use of force.

Example : After the mass killings at the newspaper office, there is a protest which is happening in the city declaring support to the paper, proving that pen is mightier than sword.

140. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones at others.

People who have some shortcomings shouldn’t criticize others for having the same shortcomings.

Example : The main political party in the opposition has blamed the ruling party for giving tickets to people with dubious background in the upcoming elections. But the big question is that are they themselves clean on this count? People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones at others.

141. Persuasion is better than force.

You can achieve better results through persuasion than through coercion.

Example : After many futile attempts by the government, farmers finally agreed to acquisition of their land on the promise of economic development of the area. That’s why it is said persuasion is better than force.

142. Politeness costs little but yields much.

Speaking politely costs no more than speaking rudely, but it can yield much more by making friends.

Example : All things equal, few deals went my way – and not my competitor’s – because of my polite and pleasant demeanour. Politeness costs little but yields much.

143. Practice makes perfect.

Doing something over and over makes one better at it.

Example : You can’t expect to master guitar in two months. You’ve to keep at it for several months, as practice makes perfect.

144. Practice what you preach.

Behave the way you encourage others to behave.

Example : You keep telling us to go for a jog in the morning, but I wish you practice what you preach.

145. Rich man’s joke is always funny.

People agree with and flatter rich people to be in good books with them.

Example : The rich kid in my college was always surrounded by classmates who were overzealous to flatter him and keep him in good humor. A rich man’s joke is always funny.

146. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Important work takes time to complete.

Example : You can’t expect her to finish such a complex project in a week. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

147. Shrouds have no pockets.

We arrived in this world without anything, and we’ll leave without anything.

Example : What will you do with all the money you’re accumulating at the cost of a peaceful, happy life? As far as I know, shrouds have no pockets.

148. Silence is half consent.

If you don’t object to what someone says or does, you may be assumed to agree to some extent.

Example : He didn’t say anything to my proposal of going for a picnic on the weekend. I believe he is not saying ‘no’. Silence is half consent.

149. Slow and steady wins the race.

Slow and consistent work leads to better chance of success than quick work in spurts.

Example : X: I’ve built a strong vocabulary by learning a word a day for the last three years. Y: Mine has been much less, even though I’ve had days when I polished off ten words. I guess slow and steady wins the race.

150. Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

If you work only on regular projects, you won’t be challenged and hence not become better at what you do. So, volunteer into few challenging projects as well.

Example : In my new project, I’m leading the team that will launch a new product, an experience, I believe, will provide a steep learning curve. After all, smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

151. Still water runs deep.

If a person doesn’t speak much, it doesn’t mean they lack depth or are uninteresting.

Example : She may not talk much, but she is one of the smartest persons in the organization. Still water runs deep.

152. Strike while the iron is hot.

Take advantage of an opportunity before it extinguishes.

Example : I thought over the job offer way too long. Now it has been offered to someone else. I should have struck while the iron was hot.

153. The course of true love never did run smooth.

True love goes through ups and downs.

Example : Romeo and Juliet went through lot of trials and tribulations in their love. The course of true love, it seems, never did run smooth.

154. The family that (eats) prays together stays together.

The family that gets together regularly to pray or eat is more close-knit than the family that doesn’t.

Example : Our grandfather ensured that all family members come together, howsoever busy they may be, at least once a week for dinner, which likely was the reason why our family was so close-knit. The family that (eats) prays together stays together.

155. The grass is greener on the other side of fence.

People are never satisfied with their own situation; they always think others have it better.

Example : X: When I see him post all those travel pictures on Instagram, I feel he has the perfect life. Y: It’s usually not like that in real life. I’m sure he too has his share of problems. I see your thought as grass being greener on the other side of the fence.

156. The harder you work, the luckier you get.

The harder you work, the more ideas and chances you may make for yourself.

Example : Many think he got lucky in getting that fat contract, but few know he had been pursuing dozens of such contracts for several weeks – the harder you work, the luckier you get.

157. The higher the monkey climbs the more he shows his tail.

The higher an incompetent person rises in an organization, the more his incompetence is exposed.

Example : After the recent promotion, the official, who somehow rose in ranks despite lack of merit, now headed a much larger department. As a result, his incompetence was now exposed to far more people. The higher the monkey climbs the more he shows his tail.

158. The highest branch is not the safest roost.

Those in the highest positions can be vulnerable as many aspire to replace them. Second, if the person is replaced, it’s not easy to find a similar position because of paucity of roles at the top.

Example : In earlier times, kings used to be on their guard all the time, suspicious of plots to overthrow them. The highest branch is not the safest roost, after all.

159. The longest way around is the shortest way home.

If you want to achieve the desired quality, work diligently and carefully and not cut corners.

Example : The earlier software contractor wrote a bloated, shoddy code that now needs to be rewritten. It should have been done more thoughtfully. The longest way around is the shortest way home.

160. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

If you deviate from the norm, you’ll face resistance, even hostile reaction in extreme case.

Example : In government, where rule-based work is norm, the nail that sticks out usually gets hammered down.

161. The only free cheese is in the mousetrap.

There rarely are completely free offers; they come attached with hooks. So, beware of such offers.

Example : The film actor got a 4-day stay at heavy discount at a premium hotel in Maldives, but later they used her pictures to promote the hotel. The only free cheese is in the mousetrap.

162. The proof of pudding is in eating.

You can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it.

Example : X: Marketers have claimed that this weight loss diet produces strong results in just two months. Y: Well, I’ll reserve my opinion till I’ve tried it myself. After all, proof of pudding is in the eating.

163. There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.

We all want peace and happiness in life, and there are multiple ways of achieving this goal. However, many get so tunnel-focused that they fail to see paths other than their current job, which may ironically be hurting their pursuit of happiness. So, once in a while, take a step back and reflect.

Example : You’re overworked and stressed in your current job. I would suggest you explore other options, for there are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.

164. There are more ways than one to skin a cat.

There is more than one way to reach the same goal.

Example : We can get around that by renting instead of buying the delivery van – there’s more than one way to skin a cat.

165. There is no time like the present.

The best time to do something is right now. So, act now.

Example : Don’t wait until New Year to change your bad habits. There’s no time like the present.

166. There is truth in wine.

People when drunk speak truth, often unwittingly.

Example : I got to know quite a few secrets last night from my friend Tom after he got drunk. There certainly is truth in wine.

167. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Good intention doesn’t not matter if a person’s actions lead to bad outcomes.

Example : X: Well, I was only trying to be helpful by mixing those two acids. Y: But it exploded! Well, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

168. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

People who complain the most are the ones who get attention or what they want.

Example : If you’re not satisfied with the service at the hotel, then you should call up the manager there. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, after all.

169. The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet tall.

We should avoid foul, inconsiderate language because it can leave lasting scars and dent relationships forever.

Example : The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet high. It did in my case as I lost my friend forever when, in a fit of anger, I used quite harsh language with him, even dragging his friends and family.

170. Time and tide wait for no man.

You’ve no control over passage of time; it’ll keep slipping. So don’t procrastinate, don’t delay things.

Example : We need to decide fast about buying the property at this price. Time and tide wait for no man.

171. To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.

Many take up a job or project they later hate, wasting precious years. This can be avoided if you ask few who’ve undertaken the same job or project about their experience.

Example : I could’ve made a more informed career choice if I had asked few senior software engineers the nuts & bolts of the job at various stages of the career. To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.

172. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

When too many people work together on a project, the result is inferior.

Example : This proposal has received feedback from too many parliamentary committees, and that’s probably the reason why it lacks clear action items. I’ve no doubt that too many cooks spoil the broth.

173. Two heads are better than one.

Two persons have a better chance to solve a problem than one.

Example : More startups have two cofounders than one. That’s because they very well understand that two heads are better than one.

174. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

You shouldn’t harm a person who has harmed you, even if you think that person deserves it.

Example : Just because he insulted you doesn’t mean it’s OK for you to start a rumor about him – two wrongs don’t make a right.

175. What can you expect from a pig but a grunt?

What can you expect from a bad character but foul and rough language?

Example : X: My neighbour quarreled with me and used abusive language over such a small issue. Y: What can you expect from a pig but a grunt?

176. When a twig grows hard, it is difficult to twist it.

A person can be moulded when young but not when he has grown up. So, one should inculcate good values in children while they’re still young.

Example : Your son doesn’t take responsibility when he fails at something. You must take corrective action now, for when a twig grows hard, it is difficult to twist it.

177. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

When visiting a foreign land, follow the customs of local people.

Example : I don’t love cotton candy, but we are at a carnival. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?

178. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

When conditions become difficult, strong people take action.

Example : I know you’re not used to climbing at such heights, but come on when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

179. Where there’s will, there’s way.

If you are determined enough, you can find a way to achieve what you want, even if it is difficult.

Example : He had little resources to start his business, but he eventually did through a small opening – blog. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

180. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

If there are rumors or signs that something is true, there must be some truth in it.

Example : X: Do you believe those rumors about the mayor? Y: Well, you know what they say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

181. While the cat is away, the mice will play.

Without supervision, people will do as they please, especially in disregarding or breaking rules.

Example : As soon as their parents left, the children invited all their friends over – when the cat’s away, you know.

182. Why buy a cow when milk is so cheap?

Why take the trouble of investing in a cow and then maintaining it when you can simply buy milk far cheaply? You should avoid buying unnecessary assets when you can do with far cheaper options.

Example : Why buy a vehicle when we can get one on rent? Why buy a cow when milk is so cheap?

183. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

Sometimes, you have employees for specific job, but someone else ends up doing that job. That’s a waste.

Example : The company has hired a designer to bring uniformity and quality in design, but some of the divisions are still designing their own stuff. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

184. Words must be weighed, not counted.

Word count doesn’t matter. What matters is how effective they’re.

Example : Your report is quite voluminous, and it contains lot of superfluous stuff. Kindly revise it. Words must be weighed, not counted.

185. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

It’s easier to win people to your side by persuasion and politeness than by confrontation and threats.

Example : X: The courier service has taken more time to deliver than they had promised. I want to take the issue up with them and get a refund. Y: I would suggest you deal with them politely. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

186. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

You can show people the way to do things, but you can’t force them to act.

Example : X: He has received all the resources one needs to start a business, but even after six months I don’t see anything happening. Y: Well, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

187. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

If you have your cake and eat it too, you get two things that are normally impossible to get simultaneously.

Example : If you want more local services, you can’t expect to pay less tax. Well, you can’t have your cake and eat it.

188. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.

It is hard to achieve something important without causing unpleasant effects.

Example : If I don’t slash salaries, the company is going to go bankrupt. It’\’s unfortunate, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.

189. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

People who have long been used to doing things in a particular way will not abandon their habits to learn something new.

Example : I bet you can’t get him to wake at 5 AM and go out for a walk. It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

190. You do not fatten a pig by weighing it.

This proverb is quoted by opponents of too much testing. Weighing a pig won’t fatten it. Altering its diet would. Similarly, testing kids in school multiple times won’t improve their performance in a particular subject. What’s required is an elaborate system to work on students’ weak areas.

Example : Most private coaching centres for entrance exams hold not only regular tests but also elaborate doubt-clearing sessions. They clearly understand that you can’t fatten a pig by only weighing it.

191. You show me the man, and I’ll show you the rule.

Rules change depending on how powerful the person likely to be affected by the rules is.

Example : X: He has been treated leniently by the police. Y: That’s why they say – you show me the man and I’ll show you the rule.

192. Hunger drives the wolf out of the wood.

Like hunger forces the wolf out of the wood to seek food elsewhere, necessity forces poor to take up unpleasant tasks, sometimes in violation of law.

Example : With growing income disparities in the society, government must strengthen its skilling program for the unemployed and improve welfare programs for the poor. Otherwise, hunger will drive the wolf out of the wood.

193. A house divided cannot stand.

Prosperity and success come when a country, society, institution, or family stand united on issues and work together.

Example : Opposition parties are opposing the government even on the issue of national security, where we must stand united. A house divided cannot stand.

194. Until the lions produce their own historian, the story of the hunt will glorify only the hunter.

History is written by the victors, and they, naturally, glorify themselves.

Example : Tom: Some of the portrayals in history are overly rosy and superhuman, and some are downright villainous.

Jerry: Until the lions produce their own historian, the story of the hunt will glorify only the hunter.

195. The fish always stinks from the head downwards.

A dead fish starts rotting from head downwards. Similarly, in any organization or country, the rot sets in from the top. If the leadership is defunct, corrupt, and self-centred, implications will soon spread to the entire organization.

Example : Who can forget scandals at Enron and Satyam Computers where misdemeanours of their leaders sank the companies? The fish always stinks from the head downwards.

196. If every man would sweep his own doorsteps, the city would soon be clean.

For community work, everyone should take responsibility and contribute whatever little they can. Small contributions by many can accomplish mammoth tasks such as cleaning an entire city.

Example : The people came together to raise funds for the community centre. If every man would sweep his own doorsteps, the city would soon be clean.

197. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Teaching fishing, a skill, is far more important than merely handing doles (fish, here) to people. It serves an important reminder to our educational institutions, especially higher education, where majority of graduates are churned out without marketable skills. Most animals, in contrast, teach only the most essential skills – finding food and escaping predators – to their young ones. Nothing superfluous there.

Example : Skilling is better than giving subsidies to poor. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

198. Corporations have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned.

Protesting against a government or a large organization is unlike protesting against individuals. An organization can use its deep pockets and power to take you on for decades together, and it wouldn’t bother anyone in that organization because individuals there don’t suffer financially or otherwise. In contrast, the protesters suffer individually. That’s why it’s not easy for individuals to slug it out against organizations and governments.

Example : Some countries impose economic sanctions not just against dictatorial regimes and rogue organizations but also against individuals there, which pinches the key orchestrators. The sanctioning countries know very well that corporations have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned.

199. When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.

A Native American proverb. It’s paramount to save the environment. We’re already seeing the adverse effect, which seem to intensify every year, of untold exploitation of nature.

Example : Government has approved another power project in an ecologically sensitive region. When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.

200. One law for the rich and another for the poor.

The law is same for both, but the rich, through their abundant resources, can get favourable decisions by influencing decision makers, hiring the best lawyers, and delaying the case if it suits them, among several measures at their command.

Example : The hotelier’s son went scot-free in the highly publicized hit-and-run case. After all, there is one law for the rich and another for the poor.

201. New lords, new laws.

New governments have their own agendas.

Example : The new government has raised taxes on the rich. New lords, new laws.

Anil is the person behind content on this website, which is visited by 3,000,000+ learners every year. He writes on most aspects of English Language Skills. More about him here:

27 Comments

I love this. Some I agree with, some I don’t, but proverbs are something that have been around through ages. I liked easy-flowing descriptions of the proverbs.

Hi, I could be wrong here, but I thought blood is thicker than water was originally derived from ‘the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb’, meaning friendship is stronger than family bonds. Thanks.

I really enjoyed reading and learning these proverbs. I appreciate your hard work to make this page. Thank you, Emilly, UK

Does anyone know any proverb/quote around the idea of making two trips (to the car) instead of one? The idea is not to try and save time by carrying too much at once? My GGMa had a saying and I cannot recall it. Any help appreciated.

This was very helpful, but I still need the meanings of the following proverbs: 1. Speech is silver, silence is golden 2. A miss is as good as a mile

The bow street runners used to ride. It took a mile to load a rifle so, a miss is as good as a mile!

It’s my best learning experience ever; honestly it’s my favourite. I wish I could have it in a pdf. I would really be so grateful. I appreciate it.

Great help for my father who has dementia.

Wow! Am a teacher and have found the proverbs so usefel and helpful in consideration that most books don’t address them quite fully.. Thanks for the Madeline examples

This is awesome! I’d like to share one my grandmother would say. “You don’t have to eat the whole hog to know you’re eating pork.”

Hi what’s the meaning and example of 1. The owl thinks her own young fairest 2. If fools went not to market, bad wares would 3. The peacock has fair feathers, but foul feet

Nice proverbs. I have our local proverb from South Sudan: A man is man no man can make man a man.

Great but most of them are not proverbs that kids can understand, like my daughter (5-year-old) said that if she and her friend were having a race did she just have to walk. She thought that slow really wins the race.

Does anyone Know what “queer as a bottle of chips ” means or comes from?

As an aspiring English writer whose mother language is not English, definitions of proverbs are sometimes hard to understand. This post really helped me a lot!

Also missing: You can’t make a silk purse from a pigs ear.

I learnt few proverbs that I can use in my essays. A big thank you to Lemon Grad. I hope you will be covering more things on English.

Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. The squeaky wheel get the grease. What’s that have to do with the price of eggs in China. No good deed goes unpunished

Thank you for your 150 proverbs and their meanings. It helped my daughter to complete her english project. Thanks a lot ??????

Thank you for helping me score high in my national examination!!!

Thanks so much ?..I’ve just finished writing my term paper and the proverbs have been of great help.

If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm you will never enjoy the sunshine.

Enjoy the current moments even if they are small rather than waiting for big events to take place in your life.

please email me meanings of proverbs down below

1- It never rains but pours

2- Still waters run deep

3- To carry water in a sieve

Hello, I think these could be the meaning you have asking for. I hope it helps you It never rains but pours. This means that misfortune never comes alone. Still waters run deep: Appearences are deceptive

Sorry, I’ve forgot the 3rd one To carry water in a sieve means work for nothing, doing a useless job

I was looking for an English version of a Danish proverb stating that “when the manger is empty, the horses bite one another”. Do you have a good match?

Admiring the hard work you put into your blog and in depth information you offer. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material.

Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

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• Insights on the Bible /
• The Wisdom Books

Listen to Chuck Swindoll’s overview of Proverbs in his audio message from the Classic series God’s Masterwork .

Who wrote the book?

Proverbs, like Psalms, names multiple individuals as the authors of its various sections. Solomon was uniquely qualified to serve as the principal author for this book of wise sayings. First Kings 3:5–9 recounts Solomon asking God for wisdom in his reign over Israel, a request God eventually granted (1 Kings 4:29–31). In fact, Solomon identified himself as the source of most of the book. His name appears at the beginning of three distinct sections—Proverbs 1:1, 10:1, and 25:1—covering almost all of the first twenty-nine chapters of the book.

A short section consisting of Proverbs 22:17–24:34 expresses “the words of the wise” (Proverbs 22:17), which Solomon may have compiled from various sources. Evidence that Solomon drew on multiple sources appears in Proverbs 24:23, where Solomon used the plural noun for “wise” (also translated sages) to describe the authors of this section. Also, due to the book’s similarities with Mesopotamian and Egyptian collections of proverbs such as “The Instruction of Amenemope,” it’s possible that God inspired Solomon to record this section based on wise sayings he had been exposed to throughout his life. 1

The final two chapters identify Agur (30:1) and Lemuel (31:1) as their authors, though the identities of these men remain mysterious in history.

Where are we?

The composition of Proverbs remains one of the most difficult questions about the book. Its strong association with Solomon means most of its contents were completed prior to his death in 931 BC. Clearly the book stayed in the southern kingdom of Judah, as Hezekiah’s men compiled more of Solomon’s proverbs in Proverbs 25–29. This indicates that the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC.

Why is Proverbs so important?

Proverbs accomplishes something no other biblical book does: it simply compiles numerous short instructions for living an effective life on earth. While other books articulate profound theological truths, lengthy narratives of triumph and failure, or prophetic preaching to a disobedient people, Proverbs concerns itself completely with instructing people in the path of wisdom. The writers of the book recognized the varied circumstances of a person’s life and provided principles to apply in a variety of situations rather than instructions to follow in only a few specific instances.

What's the big idea?

Proverbs states its theme explicitly very early in the book: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). The fear of the Lord refers to our viewing Him with the respect He deserves. It means living our lives in light of what we know of Him, holding Him in the highest estimation, and depending on Him with humble trust. Only then, Proverbs teaches, will we discover knowledge and wisdom (see also 9:10).

In writing the Proverbs, Solomon hoped that his readers would attain practical righteousness in all things and that we would do this by living our lives under the authority and direction of God. He specifically explained the book’s purpose in 1:2–6, focusing on imparting understanding that would impact every facet of our lives. Much of the book emphasizes listening to others so that we might learn from them and apply the combined knowledge of those who have gone before us—such as parents and elders—to the unique circumstances of our own lives (1:5, 8). Wisdom then involves appropriating a measure of humility, first before God and then before others. If instead, we decide to speak rashly rather than listen attentively . . . well, Proverbs deals with that too (12:15; 13:3). 

How do I apply this?

Read it! Then live it! Proverbs contains some of the most applicable nuggets of truth in all of the Bible. Most of the proverbs are pithy statements brimming over with imagery from the real world. This approach allows us to see very clearly how any particular proverb might be applied to any number of everyday situations we encounter—from getting out of bed in the morning to building a strong foundation in our relationships with others. Proverbs reminds us that God concerns Himself not just with the big, cataclysmic events of life but even those mundane, “invisible” moments in our lives as well.

Are you following God, even in those seemingly “small” circumstances? Allow Proverbs to refocus your attention on all the hidden moments of your life.

• Allen P. Ross, "Proverbs," in The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Old Testament , abridged ed., ed. Kenneth L. Barker and John R. Kohlenberger III (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 938.

Copyright ©️ 2009 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

Bible Study Chart

Proverbs overview chart.

View Chuck Swindoll's chart of Proverbs , which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses.

View a list of Bible maps , excerpted from The Swindoll Study Bible.

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100+ Common Proverbs with Meaning and Examples

• Updated on  
• Mar 12, 2024

Common Proverbs: Who hasn’t used proverbs in their speech at some point in time? We all have! Proverbs are an integral part of our daily communication. Having a strong knowledge of proverbs will not only help you increase your communication skills but will also help you do well in various competitive exams like TOEFL , IELTS , SSC-CGL etc. This blog will help you get an idea of some common English proverbs useful in everyday life.

What is a Proverb?

A proverb is a folk piece of advice expressed through short, brief sentences. Most proverbs are related to local, beliefs, and traditions of a particular place. Proverbs can be figurative or literal.

Most Common English Proverbs for Students

Proverbs are short, well-known expressions that offer wisdom or advice. They can be particularly helpful for students as they often encapsulate important life lessons and values. Here are some common proverbs that are relevant for students:

• “ Knowledge is power .”
• “Practice makes perfect.”
• “A stitch in time saves nine.”
• “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
• “The early bird catches the worm.”
• “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
• “ Actions speak louder than words .”
• “You reap what you sow.”
• “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
• “Honesty is the best policy.”
• “Never judge a book by its cover.”
• “Two heads are better than one.”
• “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
• “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
• “All that glitters is not gold.”
• “Hard work pays off.”
• “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
• “The more, the merrier.”
• “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
• “You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.”

Lesser Known English Proverbs

While the proverbs I mentioned in my previous response are fairly common, many lesser-known proverbs also offer valuable insights. Here are some lesser-known proverbs that you might find interesting:

“ A closed mouth catches no flies .” Meaning : Sometimes it’s better to keep quiet.

“ The darkest hour has only sixty minutes .” Meaning : Even in difficult times, there’s hope and a limited duration of darkness.

“ A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor .” Meaning : Challenges and hardships are opportunities for personal growth.

“ You can’t unscramble eggs .” Meaning : Once something is done, it’s irreversible.

“ A fool and his money are soon parted. ” Meaning : People who are not careful with their finances will quickly lose their wealth.

“ Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it .” Meaning : Don’t worry about problems before they actually occur.)

“ A watched pot never boils .” Meaning : Time seems to pass more slowly when you’re eagerly waiting for something.

“ Penny wise, pound foolish .” Meaning : Being overly frugal with small expenses can lead to greater, more costly problems.

“ The early worm gets eaten .” Meaning: A twist on the early bird proverb, emphasizing the risks of being too hasty.)

Common English Proverbs on Life

“Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil”

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” 

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart”

“ Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense”

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and one who saves life”

Common English Proverbs on Love

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act”

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”

“Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy”

“Love those who love me, and those who seek me find me”

“ Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs”

Best Proverbs on Wisdom in English

“ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” 

“For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding”

“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding” 

“For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her”

“ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” 

Best Proverbs on Trust in English

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”

“But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of them” 

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind of words cheers it up”

“Good Judgement wins favour, but the way of unfaithful leads to their destruction” 

“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” 

Best Proverbs for Essay Writing

Out of the frying pan into the fire.

Don’t cast pearls before swine.

What’s good for the goose, is good for the gander.

No man is an island.

Politics makes strange bedfellows.

Best Proverbs for Speech Making

Cross the stream where it is the swallowest.

After the feast comes to the reckoning.

A leopard can not change his spots. Meaning: You cannot change your true nature

You reap what you sow.

• Adversity and loss make a man wise. Meaning: Tough times can make a wise person out of anyone.

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List of Common Proverbs in English

Proverbs are pieces of brief and popular sayings, generally in the form of a phrase. They are commonly used to illustrate a specific point. Knowledge about proverbs is important since it increases your vocabulary and enhances social skills. Proverbs often appear in questions for various competitive exams, and thus getting familiar with different proverbs and their meanings should be an essential part of your preparation.

Below we have created a list of 80 common English proverbs used extensively in daily conversations. We have also added their meanings and some examples of proverbs:

1.     All that glitters is not gold Meaning: Something might not be as valuable as it seems to be Example: Radhika bought an attractive bracelet recently, but it broke in less than a week. All that glitters is not gold.

2.     A picture is worth a thousand words Meaning: Explaining something is easier through a picture than by words Example: It’s easier to learn from pictures than only text, since a picture is worth a thousand words.

3.     All good things come to an end Meaning: Nothing great lasts forever Example: It was a fantastic vacation, but all good things come to an end.

4.     Beggars can’t be choosers Meaning: People dependent on others must be content with what is offered to them Example: People who depend on the generosity of others can’t pick & choose things as per their liking. They’ve to accept what is given to them.

5.     A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Meaning: It is necessary to take the first step to reach your goal Example: I feel overwhelmed with all the tasks I have to finish, but I have to start with something since a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

6. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush Meaning: What you have is better than what you might get Example: I think I’ll sell my car at the offered price instead of waiting for something higher. After all, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

7.     Actions speak louder than words Meaning: What someone does means more than what they say they will do Example: She never bragged about her grades but secured the second position in the board exams. Truly, actions speak louder than words.

8.     An apple a day keeps the doctor away Meaning: Eating an apple daily keeps you healthy Example: You won’t fall ill if you eat the fruits, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

9.     An idle brain is the devil’s workshop Meaning: Evil thoughts come to us easily when we are idle Example: You should give your daughter something to do in the afternoon, after all an idle brain is the devil’s workshop.

10.   Better safe than sorry Meaning: It is better to take precautions than to regret later Example: Don’t ride your bike without wearing a helmet. It is better to be safe than sorry.

11.  Appearances can be deceptive Meaning: Something might be different from how they appear outwardly Example: Don’t trust people you are not familiar with; appearances can be deceptive.

12.   A stitch in time saves nine Meaning: It is better to deal with problems immediately than letting them become bigger Example: Don’t ignore the sudden malfunctioning of your car, just go to the garage. A stitch in time saves nine.

13.   As you sow, so you shall reap Meaning: Your actions determine your results Example: If you don’t go to sleep early, you will wake up late. As you sow, so shall you reap.

14.   The grass is always greener on the other side Meaning: Other people always seem to be in a better situation, although it might not be true Example: Sometimes I feel I should have gone for my master’s degree like you instead of this job. Well, the grass is always greener on the other side.

15.   Beauty is in the eye of the beholder Meaning: The perception of beauty varies from person to person Example: I don’t really like the colour of your car, but then, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

16.   Better late than never Meaning: Getting something late is better than never getting it Example: we have been waiting for you for 3 hours, but okay, it’s better late than never.

17.   Blood is thicker than water Meaning: Family relationships are always stronger than other relationships Example: I had a party to attend but I still chose to stay home because my grandmother was sick. As they say, blood is thicker than water.

18.   When in Rome, do as the Romans do Meaning: Follow the local customs when you visit a foreign place Example: You cannot be picky about food in this foreign country, you have to make do with the local food. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

19.   Don’t count your chickens before they hatch Meaning: Don’t make plans based on events that have not yet happened Example: Wait for the offer letter before celebrating about getting a job. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

20.   Don’t judge a book by its cover Meaning: Don’t form an opinion about someone by their appearance Example: She may look innocent, but don’t judge a book by its cover – she is the greatest troublemaker I have ever seen.

21.   Don’t put all your eggs in one basket Meaning: Don’t risk everything on a single venture Example: Don’t invest all the money in the stock market, you should never put all your eggs in one basket.

22.   Early bird catches the worm Meaning: One who arrives first gets the best chance at success Example: We should go early to the boutique on the day of their sale to get the best stuff. The early bird catches the worm!

23.   Every cloud has a silver lining Meaning: There is always a positive side to any difficult situation Example: I got a much better job after losing my last one. Every cloud does have a silver lining.

24.   Enjoy it while it lasts Meaning: Make the best of a moment since it won’t last forever Example: College life is the best time of your life, enjoy it while it lasts.

25.   Honesty is the best policy Meaning: Being honest is the best characteristic Example: Don’t lie to land a job, remember that honesty is the best policy.

26.   Haste makes waste |Meaning: Doing something too quickly results in mistakes Example: Don’t rush through your assignment, remember haste makes waste.

27.   It’s no use crying over spilt milk Meaning: You shouldn’t be upset over something that has already happened Example: The trip was a disaster, but it’s no use crying over spilt milk.

28.   Strike while the iron is hot Meaning: Grab an opportunity at the most favourable time Example: To overtake your competitor, you should strike while the iron is hot.

29.   Laughter is the best medicine Meaning: Trying to be happy is the best cure Example: Being in good company can lift your spirits, after all, laughter is the best medicine.

30.   Every dog has its day Meaning: everyone attains success at some point in their lives Example: don’t give up just because you were rejected twice, remember every dog has its day.

31.   The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree Meaning: A child has similar characteristics to their parents Example: Renu sings so well, just like her mother. Indeed, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

32.   Necessity is the mother of invention Meaning: When you really need something, you find a way to meet the need Example: When the strap of my sandals came off while I was in the office, I stapled it back. Necessity is the mother of invention, you know!

33.   Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today Meaning: Do not delay a task if you can do it immediately Example: Don’t leave the drawing incomplete, you should never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

34.   Practice makes perfect Meaning: You become better at a skill by practising it Example: Don’t give up if you can’t do it right the first time, remember practice makes perfect.

35.   A friend in need is a friend indeed Meaning: A true friend is one who helps you when you need it Example: He helped me with the notes while I was sick, a friend in need is a friend indeed.

36.   Mind your own business Meaning: To not interfere in someone else’s matter Example: Will you please mind your own business and stop telling me what to do?

37.   Practice what you preach Meaning: Follow what you want others to follow Example: You always tell us to reach early and yourself come late. You should practice what you preach.

38.   Rome wasn’t built in a day Meaning: Good work takes time Example: It took him ten years to get to this position. Rome was not built in a day.

39.   Forgive and forget Meaning: Pardon and hold no resentment regarding a certain event Example: What was done cannot be changed, so let’s just forgive and forget.

40.   Two wrongs don’t make a right Meaning: Someone’s wrongful conduct is not a justification for acting in the same way Example: You shouldn’t hit her because she hit you, two wrongs don’t make a right.

You’re doing great. Here’s your next set of common proverbs to learn!

41.   Look before you leap Meaning: Act after considering the possible consequences Example: It is always better to look before you leap.

42.   Fortune favours the bold Meaning: Courageous actions are often rewarded Example: Although fortune favours the bold, you should also calculate the risks involved in this venture.

43.   Out of sight, out of mind Meaning: People or things that are no longer present are easily forgotten Example: The employees relaxed as soon as the boss left. Out of sight, out of mind.

44.   To kill two birds with one stone Meaning: Achieving two goals at once Example: Using a cycle for exercise and transport is like killing two birds with one stone.

45.   Good things come to those who wait Meaning: Patience is rewarded Example: Don’t be hasty with your decisions, good things come to those who wait

46.   Great minds think alike Meaning: Intelligent people have similar ideas Example: both of us suggested similar solutions for this problem, indeed, great minds think alike.

47.   Once bitten, twice shy Meaning: One unpleasant experience leads to caution Example: After his road accident, he became very cautious during crossing roads. Once bitten, twice shy.

48.   Money doesn’t grow on trees Meaning: It requires effort to earn money Example: Don’t keep buying unnecessary things, money doesn’t grow on trees.

49.   The pen is mightier than the sword Meaning: Written words are more effective than brute force Example: The journalists proved to the world that ultimately the pen is mightier than the sword.

50.   Birds of a feather flock together Meaning: One tends to stick together with similar-minded people Example: Both of them are computer geeks, no wonder they are best friends. As they say, birds of a feather flock together.

51. Absence makes the heart grow fonder Meaning: We love the people who are not with us more in their absence Example: We never understood each other’s worth when we were together. Now we miss each other all the time. I think absence makes the heart grow fonder.

52. A cat has nine lives Meaning: Cats can survive the most fatal of accidents Example: We haven’t been able to meet for months now. But I am not worried, I know a cat has nine lives.

53. A drowning man will clutch at a straw Meaning: If someone is in a difficult or tough situation, he/ she will grasp on any available opportunity to improve it Example: Since the allopathic medicines have not been able to help him, he is now trying homoeopathic for a cure. A drowning man will clutch at a straw. 

54. A leopard doesn’t change its spots Meaning: A person cannot change his/her innate character, especially the bad aspects Example: I don’t think he will change his habits if he gets caught? A leopard can’t change its spots. 

55. Alls well that ends well Meaning: It doesn’t matter how many problems in the world as long as the result is good Example: I am glad you didn’t get hurt in the accident, even if the car got smashed. Alls well that ends well.

56. Among the blind the one-eyed man is king Meaning: Even an incapable person can come to a powerful position if others in the fray are even more incapable Example: He has become the head of the department in his office despite his lack of skills and exposure. Among the blind the one-eyed man is king. 

57. An empty vessel makes much noise  Meaning: People who are stupid or foolish are the most talkative Example: Rather than help the siblings resolve the fight, he kept interfering and inciting them. An empty vessel makes much noise.

58. A rolling stone gathers no moss Meaning: A person who keeps changing his/her jobs always has the advantage of fewer responsibilities and also the disadvantage of no particular place to live Example: Can’t believe he is married and well settled now. He was a bit of a rolling stone a few years back.

59. Cleanliness is next to Godliness Meaning: Cleanliness is a good virtue. It is next to Godliness.  Example: You must keep yourself and your room clean. You must remember that cleanliness is next to Godliness.

60. Curiosity killed the cat Meaning: You should never poke your nose in the business of others. It can be dangerous Example: I am aware that curiosity killed the cat, but I still want to find out if he hit her. It is not right. 

Must Read: Common Phrases with Meanings

61. Practice what you preach Meaning: Behave the way you encourage other people to behave Example: You keep telling us to go for a jog in the morning, but I wish you would practice what you preach.

62. Rome wasn’t built in a day Meaning: Important work takes time to complete Example: You can’t expect her to finish such a complex project in a week. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

 63. Ignorance is bliss Meaning: If you don’t know about something, you don’t need to bother about it. In other words, if you’re unaware of something, it won’t cause you stress. Example: I didn’t know that the neighbour next door was involved in criminal activities. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

64. It’s better to be safe than sorry Meaning: It’s better to be cautious than regret later Example: One shouldn’t complain about the inconvenience of security check each time you enter the building. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

64. It’s easy to be wise after the event Meaning: It is easy to understand what you could have done to prevent something bad from happening after it has happened. Example: I would have never bought an apartment if I had known that the land on which it has been built is disputed. Well, it’s easy to be wise after the event.

65. It’s never too late to mend Meaning: It’s never too late to change your wrong ways or habits Example: X: I still miss my best friend, but it’s been a year since our fight and we haven’t spoken to each other since. Y: Well, it’s never too late to mend; why don’t you call him up and apologize?

66. It’s not over till it’s over Meaning: Till the event has completely played, you’re still in with a chance to succeed Example: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga came back from two sets down at Wimbledon to pull off a miraculous win. That’s why they say it’s not over till it’s over.

67. It’s no use crying over spilled milk Meaning: There is no point in being sad over things that have already happened Example: There is no point in staying upset over a mistake because you can’t undo what has happened.

68. Necessity is the mother of invention Meaning: A need or problem forces people to come up with innovative solutions Example: In some parts of the world, farmers use washing machines to clean potatoes in large volumes. Necessity, after all, is the mother of invention.

69. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today Meaning: Don’t delay doing something if you can do it immediately Example: X: I’m done with most of my assignment, but I’ll pick the remaining part on Monday. Y: Why don’t you complete it now? You’ll be more relieved and in a better state of mind. You shouldn’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

70. Never test the depth of the water with both feet Meaning: If you’re in the water with both feet down, you risk being swept away by the currents. The message is: don’t put all your eggs in the same basket. Think twice before placing all your bets and investments on one thing. Example: While applying to colleges, don’t limit yourself only to those with high cutoff marks. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

71. No gain without pain Meaning: It is necessary to suffer or work hard in order to succeed or make progress. Example: You’ve to drastically reduce the time you spend on video games and TV if you want to get admission to a good college. No gain without pain.

72. No news is good news Meaning: If you don’t receive any news about someone or something, it means that everything is fine and going normally. Example: My daughter has been working in Australia for nearly five years now. At first, I used to get worried when I didn’t hear from her, but now I know that no news is good news.

73. Once bitten twice shy Meaning: You say this proverb when someone won’t do something a second time because they had a bad experience the first time. Example: I won’t try this drink, because last time I had a burning sensation in my throat. Once bitten twice shy, I guess.

74. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure Meaning: What may seem to be junk to one person may be valuable to another Example: I sold my 6-year-old laptop for a little amount, but I’m sure the buyer will make a hefty profit on it by refurbishing and selling it to someone else. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, after all.

75. One shouldn’t miss the forest for the trees Meaning: Sometimes you get so focused on small details that you may miss the larger context. Example: The marketers got so bogged down on creating the perfect ad campaign that they didn’t realize that the medium – Facebook – they wanted to use was no longer a viable option because of its recent algorithm updates.

76. The show must go on Meaning: A performance, event, etc., must continue even though there are problems Example: The chairman died yesterday but the show must go on.

77. The squeaky wheel gets the grease Meaning: People who complain the most are the ones who get attention or what they want. Example: If you’re not satisfied with the service at the hotel, then you should call up the manager there. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, after all.

78. Time and tide wait for no man Meaning: You’ve no control over the passage of time; it’ll keep slipping. So don’t procrastinate, don’t delay things. Example: We need to hurry up or else we’ll miss the flight. Time and tide wait for no man.

79. Too many cooks spoil the broth Meaning: When too many people work together on a project, the result is inferior Example : This proposal has received feedback from too many parliamentary committees, and that’s probably the reason why it lacks clear actionable. I’ve no doubt that too many cooks spoil the broth.

80. Two heads are better than one Meaning: Two persons have a better chance to solve a problem than one. Example: More startups have two cofounders than one. That’s because they very well understand that two heads are better than one.

List of Most Popular Proverbs

Apart from the above listed most common English proverbs, here we have got some more popular proverbs for you to learn. Check them out:

• Two wrongs don’t make a right Meaning : You shouldn’t harm a person who has harmed you, even if you think that person deserves it. Example : Just because he insulted you doesn’t mean it’s OK for you to start a rumour about him – two wrongs don’t make a right.
• Watch the doughnut and not the hole Meaning: Focus on what you have and not on what you don’t. Example : X: I’ve to submit the assignment next Monday, but I don’t have a clue on the topic. Y: Consult your friends. Consult books. Understand the topic. Watch the doughnut and not the hole.
• What goes around comes around Meaning: If someone treats other people badly, he or she will eventually be treated badly by someone else. Example : He tormented me back in high school, and now he has his own bully. What goes around comes around.
• When in Rome, do as the Romans do Meaning: When visiting a foreign land, follow the customs of local people. Example : I don’t love cotton candy, but we are at a carnival. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?
• When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Meaning: When conditions become difficult, strong people take action. Example: I know you’re not used to climbing at such heights, but come on when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
• Where there’s a will, there’s a way Meaning: If you are determined enough, you can find a way to achieve what you want, even if it is difficult. Example: He had few resources to start his business, but he eventually did through a small opening – blog. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
• Where there’s smoke there’s fire Meaning: If there are rumours or signs that something is true so it must be at least partly true Example : X: Do you believe those rumours about the mayor? Y: Well, you know what they say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
• Where one door shuts, another opens Meaning: When you lose an opportunity to do one thing, an opportunity to do something else appears. Example : X: I failed to get into my dream college. Y: Don’t worry, this has happened with many. I’m sure something better is waiting for you. Where one door shuts, another opens.
• While the cat’s away, the mice will play Meaning: Without supervision, people will do as they please, especially in disregarding or breaking rules. Example : As soon as their parents left, the children invited all their friends over – when the cat’s away, you know.
• You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar Meaning: It’s easier to win people to your side by persuasion and politeness than by confrontation and threats. Example : X: The courier service has taken more time to deliver than they had promised. I want to take the issue up with them and get a refund. Y: I would suggest you deal with them politely. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
• You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink Meaning: You can show people the way to do things, but you can’t force them to act Example : X: He has received all the resources one needs to start a business, but even after six months I don’t see anything happening. Y: Well, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.
• You can’t always get what you want Meaning: Sometimes you may face disappointments in your pursuits or your wishes may not be fulfilled. Example : X: I want a bike on my birthday. Y: Sorry, you can’t always get what you want.
• Out of sight, out of mind Meaning: If someone or something is not seen for a long time, it’ll be forgotten. Example : Many celebrities find a way to appear in the media because they know that out of sight is out of mind.
• Pen is mightier than the sword Meaning : Thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than the use of force. Example : After the mass killings at the newspaper office, there is a protest happening in the city declaring support for the paper and proving that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Common Proverbs Used in Daily Life

Here is a list of some common English proverbs that you can easily use in your day-to-day lives:

• An Apple a day keeps the doctor away  Meaning : If you eat healthily, you will be healthy!
• Its better to be safe than sorry Meaning: You should always take any necessary precautions. 
• Better late than never  Meaning: You are never too old to do something you want to do. 
• Actions speak louder than words Meaning: What you do shows how you actually feel more than what you say.
• You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar Meaning: If you have a sweet disposition you will get more from people than if you are rude to them. 
• Don’t judge a book by its cover Meaning: Don’t judge people solely on their appearance.

Woahh! You just completed a list of the 100 most common proverbs in English! Let’s celebrate your century!

• Cleanliness is next to godliness Meaning: It’s very important to be clean.
• The early bird catches the worm Meaning: People who act promptly will have more opportunities available to them, and will ultimately be more successful.
• Where there’s a will, there’s a way Meaning: If you are determined, you will find a way to achieve what you want. 
• If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it Meaning: If something works well, there’s no point trying to change it. 
• Make the best of a bad bargain.  Meaning: to deal with and create the best possible outcome of a bad situation.
• Desperate times call for desperate measures.  Meaning : actions that might seem extreme under normal circumstances are appropriate during adversity.
• The calm (comes) before the storm. Meaning: turbulent times wait just around the corner when it is calm.
• A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Meaning : you don’t lose anything by enlightening others.
• Bitter pills may have blessed effects. Meaning : the remedy might be bitter, but the cure might be wonderful. 
• Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas. Meaning : you will become like your company. 
• The longest mile is the last mile home. Meaning : It is always the end of something that feels the most difficult. 
• Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Meaning : don’t worry about the future, focus on today’s worries. 
• Familiarity breeds contempt. Meaning : having extensive knowledge about someone or something leads to a loss of respect for them or it. 
• Hindsight is better than foresight. Meaning : it is always easier for us to evaluate the past choices than the choices we have to make in the present. 
• If you can’t beat them, join them. Meaning : if someone is too strong for you to defeat, it is better to be on the same side as them. 
• Forewarned is forearmed. Meaning : if you know about a problem in advance, then you will be able to deal with it when you need to. 
• Variety is the spice of life. Meaning : new and exciting experiences make life more interesting. 
• The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Meaning: plans must be put into action otherwise they are useless.
• Too many chiefs, not enough Indians. Meaning: Too many people giving orders, not enough to carry them out. 
• A workman always blames his tools. Meaning: When someone blames their equipment rather than their performance.

Let’s take a quick break! Read Synonyms List: 50 Difficult Words with Meanings

• Absence makes the heart fonder. Meaning: When someone we love is far away, we tend to love them more.
• A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Meaning: If one person fails, the whole group fails
• There is more than one way to skin a cat. Meaning: There are many ways to do what you want.
• You reap what you sow. Meaning: You get what you deserve
• A fool and his money are soon parted. Meaning: Foolish people often lose their money.
• One good turn deserves another. Meaning: If someone does you a favour, you should always repay it.
• Possession is nine-tenths of the law. Meaning: Ownership is easy to maintain if one has possession of something.
• A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what a ship is for. Meaning: You never grow if you don’t leave your comfort zone.
• Barking dogs, seldom bite. Meaning: People look threatening are often harmless.
• Beauty is only skin-deep. Meaning: Personality and character matter more than physical beauty.
• Best things in life are free. Meaning: Things that matter the most are truly free.
• Better to be poor and healthy than rich and sick. Meaning: Good health is the most important thing.
• Better to wear out rather rust out. Meaning: Its better to stay active than idle.
• The first step is always the hardest. Meaning: Stepping out of our comfort zone is the hardest step.
• Cowards die many times before their deaths. Meaning: People who do not challenge themselves die many times 
• After the feast comes the reckoning. Meaning: People tend to pay for their pleasures and indulgences 
• Cross the stream where it is the swallowest. Meaning: To do things in the easiest way
• Hard words break no bones. Meaning: It is often good to tell the harsh truth
• Half truth is whole lie. Meaning: Hiding the truth is the same as lying.
• Head and feet keep warm the rest will take no harm. Meaning: If you take care of important things, other stuff will follow.
• He who hesitates is lost. Meaning: Wait too long and you might lose the opportunity 
• Curses like chicken, come home to roost. Meaning: Wrong doings tend to catch up with us.
• Out of the frying pan into the fire. Meaning: Moving from a difficult position to a worse one.
• One should fight fire with fire. Meaning: Use the same methods to defeat them.
• Use it or lose it. Meaning: Not using a skill might lead you into losing it.
• Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Meaning: Don’t be mean to people who help you.
• You cant have an omelete unless you break the egg. Meaning: You must sacrifice something to create something bigger
• Walk the walk, talk the talk. Meaning: First show worth then do flaunt it.
• A watched pot never boils. Meaning: While waiting for something to happen, time feels slower.
• What’s good for the goose, is good for the gander. Meaning: what is good for men is good for women.
• Willful waste makes woeful want. Meaning: If you waste something you will regret it in future.
• Dont cast pearls before swine. Meaning: Dont offer something valuable to someone who doesnt value it.
• Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you. Meaning: Be prepared in life.
• No man is an island. Meaning: We are social beings and dependent on each other.
• Politics makes strange bed fellows. Meaning: Politics creates unholy alliances.

You can now call yourself a proverb EXPERT!

Tips for Remembering Common Proverbs

Now that you are familiar with the meanings and ways to use these proverbs, you have a better chance at competitive exams. Remembering proverbs can be difficult since there are so many of them. To help you in this task here are a few tips which you can follow for memorizing proverbs:

• Start incorporating these proverbs in your daily speech
• Make a few drawings or posters of motivational proverbs to hang around your room
• Practice including proverbs in sentences while writing
• Play quizzes with your friends on proverbs and their meanings

Recommended Books

Ans. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence is one of the most popular proverbs.

Ans. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” is one of the most famous proverbs in the world

Ans. A proverb (derived from the Latin word proverbial) is a simple and perceptive traditional saying that reflects a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are frequently figurative and employ formulaic language.

We hope this blog has provided you with all the necessary information on common proverbs. To advance your grammar knowledge and read more informative blogs, check out our Learn English page and don’t forget to follow Leverage Edu .

Ankita Mishra

A writer with more than 10 years of experience, including 5 years in a newsroom, Ankita takes great pleasure in helping students via study abroad news updates about universities and visa policies. When not busy working you can find her creating memes and discussing social issues with her colleagues.

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Thanks for reading! You can also check: 120 Common Difficult Idioms with Examples Examples of Simile Understanding GMAT Sentence Correction

Thanks for reading! You can also check: 120 Common Difficult Idioms with Examples Examples of Simile Understanding GMAT Sentence Correction Give us a call at 1800 57 2000 for study-abroad related matters!

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BibleProject Guides

Guide to the Book of Proverbs

Key Information and Helpful Resources

The word “proverb” typically refers to a short, clever saying that offers wisdom in some way. While this book does contain many hundreds of proverbs, most of them are found in the center section of the book (chs. 10-29). In the outer frames of the book (chs. 1-9 and 30-31) are more elaborate poems all about wisdom. There is more to this book than you might think.

8:08 • Old Testament Overviews

Who Wrote the Book of Proverbs?

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings and poems tied to King Solomon. Although not all the material is written by Solomon, Israel’s wisdom tradition begins with him.

The events in the book of Proverbs span several centuries during Israel’s history. Proverbs was compiled and arranged after Israel’s return from exile in Babylon around the 5th to 4th century B.C.E.

Literary Styles

The book of Proverbs contains mostly poetry, along with some narrative sections.

• Fear of the Lord
• Wisdom in God’s good world

Proverbs is divided into three parts. Chapters 1-9 contain 10 speeches about virtue, integrity, and generosity. Chapters 10-29 are a collection of wise sayings about life. Chapters 30-31 explore fearing the Lord, personified by Lady Wisdom.

Proverbs 1:1-9: Introducing Solomon’s Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord

The book of Proverbs has been designed with a short introduction in 1:1-9 that starts by linking the book to King Solomon, son of David. Remember the story in 1 Kings 3 in which Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead Israel well? God honored his request, and Solomon became known as the wisest man and teacher in the ancient world. In 1 Kings 4:29-33, we’re told that he wrote thousands of proverbs and poems and that he collected knowledge about plants and animals. Solomon became the fountainhead of Israel’s wisdom literature, a group of texts that explore what it looks like to live well in God’s good world. Not all the material in this book is written by him personally, but Israel’s wisdom tradition began with him.

The introduction goes on to say that by reading this book, you will gain wisdom. For most of us, this word simply means “knowledge,” but the Hebrew word chokhmah means more than just mental activity. It refers primarily to practical knowledge, and it would be better translated with the words “skill” or “applied knowledge.” This is why artists and craftsmen in Israel were said to have chokhmah, that is, skill (Exod. 31:3). The purpose of this book is to help you develop a set of practical skills for living well in God’s good world.

The introduction also links with another foundational idea in this book: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 1:7, 9:10). The word fear is not about terror. Rather, it refers to a sense of reverence and awe before God, which makes clear our small place in the universe. It’s a moral mindset that recognizes that we are not God and don’t get to make up what’s right and wrong for ourselves. The fear of the Lord is a posture of humility before God, embracing his definition of good and evil even when it’s difficult or inconvenient.

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Podcast Episode

Proverbs: How Human Wisdom Becomes Divine

Proverbs 1-9: Poems From a Father and Lady Wisdom

This introduction leads us into the first main section of the book (chs. 1-9), which doesn’t contain any proverbs at all. Instead, we find 10 speeches from a father to a son. The father tells the son that he should listen to wisdom and cultivate the fear of the Lord. This will require a life of virtue, integrity, and generosity, all of which will lead to success and peace. The father warns the son about folly and evil, about shortsighted, selfish decisions and pride. All of these will lead to ruin and shame. Therefore, the son should make the pursuit of wisdom and the fear of the Lord his highest goals. This way of thinking forms the moral logic of the entire book.

These speeches clue us in to what biblical wisdom literature is and how it’s different from other parts of the Bible. While it does explore how to live well in God’s world, wisdom is neither law nor prophecy. Rather, wisdom is the accumulated insight of God’s people through the generations. It is all about how to live in a way that honors God and others. Through the book of Proverbs, these human words about wisdom have become God’s word and wisdom to his people.

This connects to another key theme in chapters 1-9, the words of Lady Wisdom. There are four poems where wisdom is personified as a woman, calling out to humanity to pay attention to her and to seek her out. Wisdom says that she is woven into the very fabric of the universe. Whenever people are making wise decisions, they’re relying on her. Whenever someone is being generous, having sexual integrity, or upholding justice, they’re drawing on wisdom. These Lady Wisdom poems are a creative, poetic way of exploring the idea that we live in a moral universe and that goodness and justice are objective realities that we ignore at our own peril. To fear the Lord and live wisely is to live along with the grain of the universe.

Together, these twin sets of speeches from the father and Lady Wisdom make a powerful claim about the book of Proverbs. This book doesn’t simply offer good advice. It is an invitation from God to learn human and divine wisdom from previous generations of God’s people.

In the Beginning With Lady Wisdom

Proverbs: Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly

Proverbs 10-29: The Collection of Ancient Sayings

In chapters 10-29, we finally come to the collections of proverbs. Here are hundreds of ancient sayings that apply wisdom and the fear of the Lord to every life topic you can imagine, including family, work, community life, friendship, sex, marriage, money, anger, forgiveness, alcohol, and debt. These proverbs are short and easy to memorize. This section of the book is meant to become like a reference work to which you return time after time for the rest of your life.

This raises an important issue in reading this book. Proverbs are, by nature, about probabilities. If a person fears the Lord and makes wise, moral choices, things will likely go well for them. If a person doesn’t fear the Lord and acts foolishly, their life will more likely turn out poorly. Both of these statements are often true, but not always. Therefore, the proverbs are not promises or guaranteed formulas for success.

For example:

“The fear of the Lord prolongs your life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.”

Proverbs 10:27

“Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they’re old, they won’t turn from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

Fearing God and being moral is more likely to lead to a better, longer life. Raising your kids in a stable, loving home can set them up well for the rest of their lives, but there’s no guarantee. Lots of things can and do go wrong in our world.

Proverbs, by their nature, focus on the general rule and not the numerous exceptions to that rule. The biblical wisdom books are not ignorant about this. In fact, these exceptions to the moral rule are what the books of Job and Ecclesiastes are all about. Life is too complex for formulas, which is why we need all these books of accumulated wisdom to get to the bigger picture.

The Books of Solomon

The Quest for Wisdom

Intro to the Wisdom Literature

Proverbs 30-31: The Wisdom of Agur and King Lemuel’s Mother

This all leads to the final section of the book in chapters 30-31, where we find two large collections of poems. The first comes from a man named Agur, who begins by acknowledging his ignorance and folly as well as his great need for God’s wisdom. He then discovers that divine wisdom has been given to him through the Scriptures. Agur is put before us as a model reader of Proverbs and as someone who’s always open to hearing God’s wisdom.

The final chapter, 31, is connected to a man named Lemuel, a non-Israelite king who passes on the wisdom given to him by his mother. Most of this chapter is made up of guidance for being a wise and just leader, but the final poem is an acrostic, or alphabet, poem. Each line begins with a new letter from the Hebrew alphabet and tells the story of a “woman of noble character.” This woman lives according to the wisdom of Proverbs and stands as a model of someone who takes God’s wisdom and translates it into practical decisions in everyday life at work, at home, in her family, and in her community.

The book of Proverbs opens with words from a father to a son about listening to Lady Wisdom (chs. 1-9), and it appropriately closes by offering the words from a mother to her son about a woman who lives wisely (ch. 31).

This is a book for everyone, in every season of life. It’s a reliable guide for learning to live wisely and well in God's good world.

Poetic Metaphor

Metaphor and Our Imagination

Wisdom depends on trusting God and leads to life, but folly starts with distrusting God and leads to death.

Recommended Reading

Proverbs (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries)

Proverbs (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms)

Proverbs 1-9 (The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries)

Proverbs 10-31 (The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries)

Downloads and Resources

Proverbs Overview Poster

Scripture Reference Guide

Proverbs Script References

Study Notes

Proverbs 8 Study Notes

Proverbs 8 Script References

How to use Proverbs in Your Composition

• Lower Secondary Composition Writing

Proverbs are phrases that are commonly used and widely understood.  They can also be mantras that are passed down for generations.  Proverbs can be used to convey advice.

Here’s a common proverb that you may have heard before:

“ Practice makes perfect. ”

As children, we hear them from our  parents and teachers. And as we grow up, we use some of the more common proverbs in our everyday conversations, sometimes without even realizing that the phrase that comes naturally to us is actually a proverb.

“He has tattoos all over his body, but you know what they say, don’t judge a book by its cover .”

“Having started work straight after my diploma to make ends meet, I only fulfilled my dream to pursue further studies after a good ten years in the workforce. But better late than never , for I can now proudly say that I am a degree holder; the first in my family.”

Proverbs can be in the form of a phrase or a sentence, for example, “ The early bird catches the worm. ” This one is frequently used to encourage the lazy bunch of us to rise or start early because it is believed that those who do so gain an advantage over others.

Another point worth noting about this proverb, and many others, is that it is in the form of a metaphor. Many proverbs use figurative language to personify their meaning. When we say “ Don’t put all your eggs in one basket ”, we are not literally referring to eggs, but rather the fact that you shouldn’t concentrate all your risks or efforts in one area.

Interestingly, proverbs make it easy and effective to teach your child lessons, or give him words of advice pertaining to concepts that are actually quite sophisticated.

More importantly, for your child, proverbs are a simple yet powerful tool to convey a strong message in his compositions.

Proverbs can be used throughout a composition, whether as an introduction, as a concluding statement, or even in the dialogue between the characters in the composition. The key is to use them moderately or even sparingly. They are like the spices you add to your dishes for additional flavour; whether it is a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of paprika, proverbs are not meant to be ‘spammed’ .

Proverbs  add spice to your child’s composition.

Use a Proverb in the Introduction

Because there are so many different types of proverbs, starting with one not only provides your child a unique introduction to her composition, but it also adds some depth and sophistication to the story that she’s writing.

Of course, the key is to use an appropriate proverb that is related to the crux of the story, or one that “teaches the lesson” in your child’s composition.

Consider this example:

Honesty is truly the best policy . I could not imagine how things would have turned out had I lied instead…

I’ve used this simple proverb combined with a flashback. In two sentences, I have basically told you the lesson I have learnt, about being honest. At the same time, I have hopefully intrigued you enough to read on to find out exactly what situation caused me to learn that lesson.

Use a Proverb in the Conclusion

 I reminisced onthe early days, recalling how everyone was sceptical about the route I was embarking on.

No one truly saw the vision that I saw. Yet now, I sat on the balcony of my penthouse overlooking the sea, soaking up the breeze of freedom, of accomplishment, of success.

The success that I dreamed of, that I willed myself to achieve.

No, it didn’t come easy; I suffered, I endured, but at every juncture where there was a will – the will to overcome any obstacle, the will to keep going – whenever there is a will, there will always be a way .

I’ve used the proverb “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” to show that determination and willpower can overcome all obstacles.

Use a proverb in the dialogue

“Mr. Tan has got to be the most boring Math tutor I’ve ever had!” Peter exclaimed. “I really think we should leave and go to another tuition centre. I’m sure they also have Math tutors there.” “I’m not so sure,” John cautioned. “ Better the devil you know than the one you don’t. ”

I’ve used the proverb to highlight what John thinks about Peter’s suggestion to leave the tuition centre. Without explicitly saying it, I am able to convey John’s doubt towards Peter’s idea.

Common Proverbs for Your Composition

Here are some proverbs that your child can start using in his compositions to impress his or her teachers in school!

• A watched pot never boils. Waiting for something to happen will make time pass even slower. Example: John stared out the window at the long winding road, waiting for any sign of a car approaching in the distance. But he knew that a watched pot never boils , and he tried to turn his mind towards the book in front of him again, in a bid to distract himself.
• Beggars can’t be choosers. When you receive help, you have to be content with and accept whatever you get. Example: Hunger-stricken, I walked up to the first tiny house with their lights turned on and pounded on the door. An old lady with the kindest eyes perused my sorry state before inviting me into her warm living room. My shame was overwhelmed by my starving belly as I blurted, “Do you have anything to eat, please?” The old lady shuffled slowly into the kitchen whilst I sat and watched in anticipation, knees together, arms wrapped around my stomach as if it would help calm down the desperate growls from within. As she returned, cupping a bowl delicately in her hands, I almost lunged out to grab that delicacy. However, I froze when I saw all that she had to spare – a half-filled bowl of plain white rice. Beggars can’t be choosers , I thought, as I wolfed down the rice in seconds.
• Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Do not be overconfident, or make plans based on something good that you think will happen, before it has actually happened. Example: Julie was already shopping around for a car as a self-reward for her upcoming promotion, but I told her not to count her chickens before they hatched .
• Don’t cry over spilt milk. Do not be upset over something that has already happened that you cannot change. Example: Tim was dejected; he had just failed his test. As I patted him on the shoulder I tried to encourage him. “Look, Tim, this test is already done, so don’t cry over spilt milk . There’s still the finals at the end of the year, and I know you can do it.”
• Many hands make light work. This proverb is about teamwork. If everyone works together to help in something, the task is accomplished much quicker. Example: At first, we were intimidated by the actual area of the wall we had to paint. It was a huge, old bungalow and the paint was practically peeling from every corner of the house – all three levels of it! But everyone was so cooperative, and since many hands made light work , we managed to finish painting the whole house before sunset.
• There is safety in numbers. When people tend towards something together as part of a group, either in thinking a certain way or in doing something, they are less likely harmed or blamed for it. Example: We gathered in a group of about twenty and marched up to the principal’s office to make our complaint, thinking that there was safety in numbers .
• There’s no smoke without fire. (variation: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.) This proverb is saying that there might be truth in rumours, because rumours, no matter how twisted they are, must have been grounded in some underlying fact. Example: Our new teacher appears very friendly and gentle, but some claim they have seen her ex-students sent out of the classroom in tears during her lessons. There’s no smoke without fire , so let’s wait and see.
• Too many cooks spoil the broth. When too many people are involved, they can do more harm than good and ruin something instead. Example: Everyone was throwing in ideas and giving opinions, and by the end of the day we could not even decide where we wanted to host the event. There were clearly too many cooks spoiling the broth .
• We never miss the water till the well is dry. We tend to take things for granted, and only realize how important something / someone is until we lose it. Example: Now that I’m past forty, and my joints creak and ache every time I get up from my bed. I realize how we never miss the water till the well is dry . I can barely remember what it feels like to be young again!
• You can’t make bricks without straws. You cannot accomplish something without the right information or necessary tools. Example: “But I hate training!” I exclaimed. My coach grabbed me by the shoulders and looked me in the eye. “Boy, are you lazy!” he reprimanded me. “If you want to get a gold medal, you need to build up your strength.  You need to build up your core. You need to understand that you can’t make bricks without straws .”

There are tons of other proverbs. Just prowl the net and you’ll be amazed how many everyday sayings that you use regularly are actually proverbs. That said, it will take your child some effort to understand many of these proverbs. Then your child can use them in his or her compositions.

The best way to use proverbs is to let them fit naturally into a sentence.  Don’t force them in. Afterall,   Rome wasn’t built in a day – the key is to consistently practise, revise and repeat!

Read other related articles on Writing Samurai:

• How to Use Good Phrases and Words for Composition Writing & Essays?
• Free Test Papers for Primary 3, 4, 5, 6 School – Exam Paper for You!
• 80 Awesome Phrases to Wow Your Teacher
• A Guide on How To Write Good Compositions

(You might also want to check out this post >>>   How to Use Good Phrases In your Composition )

Still need more help?

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References:

http://www.fluentu.com/english/blog/useful-english-proverbs/

http://www.careerride.com/proverbs-meaning-examples-1.aspx

http://www.engvid.com/english-resource/50-common-proverbs-sayings/

http://www.learn-english-today.com/proverbs/proverbs-X-Y-Z.html

wiki, Cambridge dictionary

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Proverb Essay

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Proverb Essay Writing

To succeed in proverb essay writing, you should clearly understand the essence of a proverb essay. Thus, the purpose of a proverb essay is to expand on the meaning of a particular proverb and find its application in life.

As you have already understood, to write a successful proverb essay, you need to choose a good proverb that can be a good subject for discussion in your proverb essay.

In this article we are going to focus on the most interesting proverbs you might choose for your proverb essays.

• All are not saints who go to church. This is really true, since there are a lot of people who go to Church, but have a lot of sins behind their back.
• All is well that ends well. This proverb helps people not to be upset with some things that happen to them and seem to be unfair.
• Better a glorious death than a shameful life. This proverb suits the life of the knights, but this can be applied to our present life in the meaning that you should not give up and keep doing something to achieve your goals.
• Better be born lucky than rich. This proverb really works, since if you are rich, it does not mean that you are happy. This will be very interesting to investigate in your proverb essays.
• Better late than never. This proverb suits every moment of our life. People are most frequently late with doing some things, and this proverb helps them not to be upset because of some minor problems. You are welcome to consider this point in your proverb essays.

All proverbs are wise sayings. It will be very captivating to discuss any of them in your proverb essay. You are also welcome to introduce some interesting situations from your own life in proverb essays.

As you can see, there are a lot of different proverbs to consider in proverb essays.

Proverbs Essay Topics

We have provided essays on variety of Proverbs like Child is Father of the Man, A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed, Cleanliness is Next to Godliness, Knowledge is Power, etc under various words limit of 100-150 words, 250 words, 400 words and 600 words for the easiness of school students of class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Students can get help in their studies from the below given Proverbs essay topics. They can also find related FAQs with the topics which will help them in better understanding of the particular topic.

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