Proverbs | List of Proverbs and Sayings
A List of proverbs and sayings. This page contains examples of proverbs and an ever growing list of proverbs. It is a good practice to avoid use of these proverbs in poetry unless used in a completely original way.
See also: Idioms.
What is a Proverb?
A proverb is a brief and popular saying that typically gives advice about how people should live or that expresses a belief that is commonly thought to be true.
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Examples of Proverbs
B., some years ago, in the presence of a large party, obstinately insisted that
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Bachelors grin, but married men laugh till their hearts ache.
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Bachelors' wives and maids' children are always well taught.
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Bad workmen always complain of their tools.
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Barefooted men should not tread on thorns.
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Barley straw's good fodder when the cow gives water.
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Be a good husband, and you will get a penny to spend, a penny to lend, and a penny for a friend.
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Be bail and pay for it.
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Be captain of your own ship.
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Be not too hasty to outbid another.
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Be not weary of well-doing.
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Be ruled by your purse.
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Be slow to promise, but quick to perform.
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Beans should blow before May doth go.
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Bear and forbear.
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Bear with evil and expect good.
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Beauty buys no beef.
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Beauty is but skin deep.
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Beauty is no inheritance.
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Beggars must not be choosers.
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Beggars on horseback will ride to the devil.
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Begging is an ill trade on a fast-day.
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Being born in a stable does not make a man a horse.
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Believe well and have well.
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Bend the twig while it is young.
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Better a bare foot than no foot at all.
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Better a fortune in her than on her.
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Better an empty house than a bad tenant.
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Better are small fish than an empty dish.
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Better be a beggar than a fool.
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Better be alone than in bad company.
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Better be envied than pitied.
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Better be half hanged than ill wed.
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Better be idle than ill employed.
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Better be ill spoken of by one before all, than by all before one.
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Better be the head of an ass than the tail of a horse.
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Better go about than fall into the ditch.
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Better go to bed supperless than to rise in debt.
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Better it is to meet a bear bereaved of her whelps, than a fool in his folly.
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Better late than never.
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Better lose a jest than a friend.
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Better one eye than quite blind.
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Better one's house too little one day, than too big all the year round.
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Better pay the butcher than the doctor.
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Better poor with honour than rich with shame.
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Better ride on an ass that carries me than a horse that throws me.
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Better that the feet slip than the tongue.
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Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.
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Better to be beaten than be in bad company.
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Better untaught than ill-taught.
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Better wear a cloak for religion than religion for a cloak.
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Better wise than wealthy.
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Between two stools he comes to the ground.
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Beware of "Had I wist."
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Birchen twigs break no ribs.
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Birds of a feather flock together.
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Birds of prey do not sing.
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Bitter is sweet to hungry men.
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Blushing is virtue's colour.
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Borrowed garments never fit well.
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Bought wit is best.
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Bought wit makes folk wise.
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Boys will be boys.
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Brag's a good dog if he be well set on; but he dare not bite.
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Brag's a good dog, but Holdfast is a better.
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Brag's a good dog, but that he hath lost his tail.
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Bread and Butter
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Brevity is the soul of wit.
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Bring not a bagpipe to a man in trouble.
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Burn not your candle at both ends at once.
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Business is the salt of life.
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Butter is gold in the morning, silver at noon, lead at night.
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By doing nothing we learn to do ill.
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By stratagem, not valour.
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By wisdom peace, by peace plenty.
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