100eNGLISH PROVERBS WITH THEIR EXPLANATIONS

1-A bad penny always turns up
Nasty or bad people have a habit of showing up or returning.
2-A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
It's better to have one of something for certain than to run after two of the same thing and not be sure of getting them.
3-A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
If one link in a chain is weak, and all the other links are strong, the whole chain is weak.
4-A fool and his money are soon parted
Stupid people spend their money carelessly and soon become poor.
5-A good husband makes a good wife
If a woman is happy with her husband, she will be a good mate for him.
6-A good man is hard to find
This saying talks about the difficulties for women in finding a suitable male partner.
7-A good name is better than riches
Your good reputation is worth more than money.
8-A good payer is master of another's purse
Someone who is known to always pay exactly as promised can borrow money from other people at any time.
9-A good paymaster never wants workmen
An employer who pays well is never short of staff.
10-A just war is better than an unjust peace
Fighting between countries for a fair and good cause is better than no fighting in a situation that is unfair.
11-A little learning is a dangerous thing
It may be safer not to learn something at all than to half-learn it.
12-A man is as old as he feels, and a woman as old as she looks
This somewhat sexist saying suggests that men age better than women.
13-A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse
A very small hint is enough to convey our meaning. It is not always necessary to say what we want explicitly.
14-A short prayer penetrates heaven
The implication is that brevity is effective in winning the ear of Heaven, and, by extension, anyone from whom we seek help.
15-A still tongue makes a wise head
Someone who does not talk much, but listens to other people, probably has experience, knowledge and good judgement.
16-A stitch in time saves nine
Repair something as soon as it is damaged. That's a small repair job. If not, you will have a much bigger and more expensive repair job later. Do it now and you'll need one stitch. Do it later and you'll need 9 stitches!
17-A watched pot never boils
If you want to heat water until it boils, and you watch it while you wait, then it seems to take a very long time. In the same way, anything that we wait for with eager attention seems to take a very long time: like waiting for someone to arrive, waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for a letter to come.
18-A word to the wise is enough
A very brief warning or explanation is enough for an intelligent person.
19-All cats are grey in the dark
The implication is that beauty, or physical appearance, is unimportant.
20-All clouds bring not rain
We can rephrase this: "Not every cloud brings rain." And that's true. Sometimes there are many clouds in the sky, but it doesn't rain. Don't judge things by appearances.
21-All that glitters is not gold
The attractive exterior of something is not a good indicator of its real nature. It may look valuable, but not be valuable.
22-All things are difficult before they are easy
The implication is that we should be patient with learning, and with learners. It take time to learn to do things. What seems easy to us now may have been difficult at first.
23-All truths are not to be told
Some truths are better left unspoken. It is not always necessary to repeat something even though it be true.
24-Any port in a storm
In times of danger, any shelter is better than none. In an emergency, we have to accept whatever solution presents itself (for the time being).
25-Appearances are deceptive
The way something or someone looks from outside may give us the wrong impression.
26-As soon as man is born he begins to die
The process of dying starts at birth. This saying reminds us of our own mortality, whatever our age.
27-Bad news travels fast
"Bad news" means news about "bad" things like accidents, death, illness etc. People tend to tell this type of news quickly. But "good news" (passing an exam, winning some money, getting a job etc) travels more slowly.
28-Barking dogs seldom bite
Don't be afraid of dogs that bark or people that threaten you (say they will do something bad to you) - in both cases they rarely take action.
29-Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Different people see beauty in different ways. What one person finds beautiful may not appeal to another person.
30-Beauty is only skin deep
Physical beauty is superficial. A pleasing exterior is no guide to a person's interior or character.
31-Behind every successful man is a woman
Many men owe their achievements in life to women.
32-Better safe than sorry
We should be careful in a dangerous situation. It is better to stay safe than to have an accident (and be sorry about it). The full "grammatical" sentence would be: "It is better to be safe than to be sorry."
33-Better the foot slip than the tongue
It is better to take a bad step in walking than to say the wrong thing in talking. We can do a lot of damage when we say something by mistake. The elliptical nature of this saying may make it difficult to understand. The full version might be something like: "It is better that your foot should slip than that your tongue should slip."
34-Better untaught than ill taught
This proverb drops the verb "to be" (It is better to be untaught than ill taught). We understand: "It is better not to be taught at all than to be taught badly." It's better not to learn something than to learn it badly.
35-Beware of a silent man and still water
A large expanse of water that is still and does not move is often deep and dangerous. We should be careful of it. In the same way, we should be careful with a person who does not talk much.
36-Beware the fury of a patient man
The implication is that the anger of people who are normally slow to anger is, when it eventually comes, terrible.
37-Birds of a feather flock together
"Birds of a feather" means "birds of the same type". The whole proverb means that people of the same type or sort stay together. They don't mix with people of another type.
38-Boys will be boys
This somewhat humorous saying is often used to excuse male behaviour (of both boys and adult men).
39-Brevity is the soul of wit
The real art of speaking (especially when speaking humorously) is to use as few words as possible.
40-Charity begins at home
Our first responsibility is to our own family and friends.
41-Cleanliness is next to godliness
This (humorous) saying suggests that being clean is nearly as good as being godly or very holy.
42-Cold hands, warm heart
A cool, reserved exterior may hide a kind heart.
43-Comparisons are odious
Comparison (especially of people) is not productive and can have unpleasant consequences. People should be judged on their own merits.
44-Count your blessings
Instead of worrying about the problems that we may have, we should think about the good things that we have. We should be grateful for what we have.
45-Crime doesn't pay
If you engage in illegal activities, you will not make money in the long run.
46-Dead men tell no tales
People who are no longer living cannot give evidence.
47-Death is a remedy for all ills
When we die, all our problems are solved.
48-Death keeps no calendar
In this saying, "Death" is personified as a spiritual being who may call upon us at any time - he has no appointment book. We never know when we will die.
49-Death pays all debts
Dying cancels everything, including anything that we owe to other people.
50-Discretion is the better part of valour
It may sometimes be better to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it.
51-Don't bite the hand that feeds you
It is not be a good idea to hurt the person (or company) that pays you or takes care of you.
52-Don't cross your bridges before you come to them
Don't worry about problems before they arrive.
53-Don't put all your eggs in one basket
If all your eggs are in one basket and you drop the basket, you lose everything. Don't put all your money in one bank. Don't put all your faith in one person.
54-Don't rock the boat
This saying advises people not to upset the status quo (or try to change a comfortable, existing situation).
55-Dumb dogs are dangerous
People who say little or nothing are more dangerous than people who speak a lot.
56-Dying men speak true
When people are about to die, they usually tell the truth.
57-Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise
It is good for us to sleep early in the evening and wake early in the morning.
58-Easy come, easy go
If we get something (like money) easily and without effort, we can lose it easily too.
59-Empty vessels make the most noise
Stupid people speak loudest.
60-Even a worm will turn
Everybody will revolt if driven too far. Even the lowest of people, or animals, will revolt and hit back at some stage. Even a worm, the simplest of animals, will defend itself.
61-Even the prayers of an ant reach to Heaven
God hears all living beings.
62-Every dog has his day
1) Even the lowest of us at some time has a chance to get revenge on an oppressor, no matter how powerful that oppressor may be. 2) We will all have good luck or success at some point in our lives.
63-Every man has his price
According to this saying, all people can be bribed if you pay enough.
64-Everything comes to him who waits
A patient Person always reaches her goals .
65_ Facts are stubborn things
We cannot avoid the truth, even when it is not what we want to hear or express.
66_Faint heart never won fair lady
We should have the courage to pursue what we want if we wish to succeed in life.
67_Fair exchange is no robbery
Swapping one thing fairly in return for another is not the same as stealing.
68_Familiarity breeds contempt
When we know someone or something very well, we lose respect for them or it.
69_First things first
1) Be patient: do things in the logical order. 2) Do the most important things before the less important things.
70_Forewarned is forearmed
If we know about a possible danger in advance, we have an important advantage.
71_Fortune favours the bold
Successful people are often those who are prepared to take risks.
72_Fortune knocks once at every man's door
We all get at least one good opportunity in life; everybody has the opportunity to be successful in life.patient people eventually receive all things.
73_Garbage in, garbage out | GIGO
Incorrect or bad input results in incorrect or bad output.
74-Give a thief enough rope and he'll hang himself
A bad person will sooner or later be the cause of his own downfall.
75-Give credit where credit is due
The implication is that even if we are reluctant to praise someone, we should do so if the praise is deserved.
76-Give the devil his due
We should admit the good qualities of even a bad or undeserving person.
77-Give, and ye shall receive
This idea from the Bible suggests that when we freely give something (money, love etc) to other people, we will receive the same or more back.
78-God helps them that help themselves
This semi-humorous saying suggests that we should not rely entirely on God to help us. God will help us if we make an effort.
79-God moves in a mysterious way
The implication is that God's plan is beyond human understanding. God has a reason for everything, however strange it may seem to us.
80-Good wine needs no bush
Something of good quality does not need to be advertised.
81-Graves are of all sizes
People die at all ages; no one is too young to die.
82-Great minds think alike
This saying suggests that very intelligent people think like each other. It is often said as a joke when two people think of the same thing.
83-Great oaks from little acorns grow
The normal order of words would be "Great oaks grow from little acorns." We understand: sometimes small and modest things can become very large and impressive things with time.
84-Handsome is as handsome does
Good character and behaviour are more important than good looks.
85-He teaches ill, who teaches all
The unusual structure of this proverb may make it difficult to understand. It becomes easier if we change the structure to "He who teaches all teaches ill." The word "ill" here means "badly". So it means that the teacher who teaches students everything, does not teach well. A good teacher lets students discover some things for themselves.
86-He that complies against his will, is of his own opinion still
If you force someone to do something or agree with something, it doesn't mean that they really agree.
87-He that lives by the sword shall die by the sword
The way that you treat others is the way that others will treat you. People who commit violence must expect to receive violence.
88-He that will learn to pray, let him go to sea
The sea is supremely powerful, and can be a terrifying and awe-inspiring place.
89-He that wills the end wills the means
If you are determined to do something you will find the way to do it.
90-He who hesitates is lost
The person who waits too long loses the opportunity; or, more seriously, delay or indecision may have disastrous results.
91-He who laughs last laughs longest
This saying advises against anticipating success, or thinking that you have won before you are sure.
92-He who pays the piper calls the tune
The person who pays a musician can decide what music he wants to hear. And the person who pays for any service has the right to say exactly what he wants.
93-He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon
If you eat with the devil, you need a (very) long spoon so that you can keep your distance. If you mix with bad people, you should be careful not to be influenced by them. A warning not to get too close when dealing with evil people.
94-Health is better than wealth
Being free from illness is better than being rich.
95-Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned
A woman rejected in love can be very angry and dangerous.
96-Honesty is the best policy
Both in the short term and in the long term, honesty will repay you better than dishonesty. It is best to be truthful at all times.
97-Hope springs eternal in the human breast
The normal interpretation of this saying is that people will always be optimistic and think that something better is coming.
98-If a job's worth doing it's worth doing well
Don't start some work and then do it badly.
99-If it ain't broke, don't fix it
If something is not faulty or damaged, don't try to repair it.
100-If the stone fall upon the egg, alas for the egg! If the egg fall upon the stone, alas for the egg!
Life just isn't fair, and this realistic Arab proverb recognizes that. The stone will always break the egg. Life's like that!
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