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


I can see as far into a millstone as the picker.
I had not cut my wise teeth.
I have a bone in my arm.
I have other fish to fry.
I wept when I was born, and every day shows why.
I'll keep no more cats than will catch mice.
I'll not change a cottage in possession for a kingdom in reversion.
I'm too old a bird to be caught by chaff.
Idle folk have the least leisure.
Idle folk take the most pains.
Idleness is the key of beggary.
Idleness is the root of all evil.
Idleness must thank itself if it goes barefoot.
If a man once fall, all will tread on him.
If a man says little he thinks the more.
If every one would mend one, all would be mended.
If fools went not to market, bad ware would not be sold.
If it were not for hope, the heart would break.
If one will not, another will.
If the cap fit, wear it.
If the mountain will not go to Mahomet, let Mahomet go to the mountain.
If there were no receivers there would be no thieves.
If things were to be done twice, all would be wise.
If we do not hear reason she will one day make herself be heard.
If wilful will to water, wilful must be drowned.
If wishes were butter-cakes, beggars would bite.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
If wishes were thrushes, beggars would eat birds.
If wishes would bide, beggars would ride.
If you cannot bite, never show your teeth.
If you make not much of threepence you'll ne'er be worth a groat.
If you must have an evil, choose a little one.
If you play with a fool at home, he'll play with you in the market.
If you want a thing done, do it yourself.
If you want a thing done, go; if not, send.
If you wish a thing done, go; if not, send.
If you would enjoy the fruit, pluck not the flower.
Ill got, ill spent.
Ill gotten gains seldom prosper.
Ill news comes apace.
Ill weeds grow apace.
Impudence is not courage.
In a calm sea every man is a pilot.
In a thousand pounds of law there's not an ounce of love.
In an orderly house all is soon ready.
In dock, out nettle.
In every country the sun riseth in the morning.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
In the coldest flint there is hot fire.
In the deepest water is the best fishing.
In the end things will mend.
In the husband wisdom, in the wife gentleness.
In vain he craves advice who will not follow it.
In wiving and thriving men should take counsel of all the world.
Industry is fortune's right hand and frugality her left.
Ingratitude is the daughter of pride.
It chanceth in an hour that comes not in seven years.
It is a sad house where the hen crows louder than the cock.
It is all one a hundred years hence.
It is an ill bird that defiles its own nest.
It is as good to be in the dark as without light.
It is better to be born lucky than rich.
It is better to spare at the brim than the bottom.
It is easier to pull down than to build.
It is easy to bowl down hill.
It is good keeping his clothes who is going to swim.
It is good to be merry at meat.
It is ill meddling with edged tools.
It is more painful to do nothing than something.
It is never too late to mend.
It is no small conquest to overcome yourself.
It is no use throwing good money after bad.
It is one thing to flourish and another to fight.
It is the last straw that breaks the camel's back.
It is the part of a wise man to take no notice of many things.
It is the thrift of a spendthrift which ruins him most effectually.
It never goes well when the hen crows.
It never rains but it pours.
It's a bad cause that none dare speak in.
It's a bad dog that deserves not a crust.
It's a bad sack will abide no clouting.
It's a wicked thing to make a dearth one's garner.
It's an ill battle where the devil carries the colours.
It's an ill wind that blows nobody good.
It's better to be lucky than wise.
It's good fishing in troubled waters.
It's good to be merry and wise.
It's good to have company in trouble.
It's ill healing an old sore.
It's ill shaving against the wool.
It's no use looking for musk in a dog's kennel.
It's not how long, but how well, we live.
It's not the gay coat that makes the gentleman.
It's poor sport that is not worth the candle.
It's useless saving at the spigot and spending at the bung-hole.
Itch and ease can no man please.


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