10:40 PM
mr.vam
Actions speak louder than words
Children usually learn more from the examples set by their elders than from what they are told ; a person's character is judged by the thing she does and not by what he says; actions give evidence or proof of.
Fortune knocks once at every man's door
Everyone gets at least one good opportunity in his lifetime; everyone has the opportunity to be successful in life.
Give the devil his due
Be just and fair-minded , even to the one who does not deserve much or who is unfriendly or unfair; we should punish a person according to his wrongdoings.
God helps those who help themselves
God only helps those people who work hard and make an honest effort.
It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good
A bad or evil occurrence.
Great minds think alike
Wise people will normally think and behave alike in certain situations.
Habit is second nature
An act done repeatedly and often enough will sooner or later become a habit or second nature.
He laughs best who laughs last
A person who does his best is the one who will get the greatest satisfaction in the end.
Never do things by halves
One should not do an incomplete or imperfect job - certain tasks must not be left half done; they must be done away with immediately.
Great haste makes great waste
If one does things hastily he will make a lot of mistakes - he will need to spend a lot of time correcting those mistakes later.
It's never too late to mend
It is never too late to correct one's mistakes or faults.
It's no use crying over spilt milk
It is pointless to feel remorseful over a thing lost that can never be found or a mistake done that can never be corrected or rectified.
Still waters run deep
One who is usually silent and goes about his business quietly may be a very wise person.
Jack of all trades and master of none
Is a person who can do almost anything, but he rarely excels in any of them.
Let bygones by bygones
One should consider forgiving one's and forget all the bad deeds done by others.
Let not the pot call the kettle black
A person who has a fault should not point out the same fault in another; do not criticize another person as you may have the same weakness.
Let sleeping dogs lie
One should preferably avoid discussing issues that are likely to create trouble.
No news is good news
When there is no news, it is likely that everything is all right.
Look before you leap
Avoid acting hastily, without considering the possible consequences.
Necessity is the mother of invention
When a person is in great need of something, he will find a way of getting it.
Honesty is the best policy
Being honest is believed to be the best route to take.
One man's meat is another man's poison
No two persons are alike - every one has his own preferences, likes and dislikes.
Once bitten twice shy
If a person has been tricked once he will more be careful and alert the next time.
Like father, like son, like mother, like daughter
( used to describe a child's behavior when he or she acts like the father or mother )
Practice makes perfect
It is believed that if one practices a certain skill often, he will excel in it
Prevention is better than cure
It is better to be careful beforehand than to try to solve a problem after it has arisen.
Rome was not built in a day
Any great plan or big dream cannot be achieved overnight or easily.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul
( this is quoted when one takes another loan to pay off an earlier loan ) taking from one to give another.
Spare the rod and spoil the child
A child who is not punished and showed the error of his ways will become unruly.
Speech is silver, silence is golden
Talk may be beneficial, but sometimes acquiescence may be the best option to take.
It takes two to make a quarrel
Both parties in a quarrel should share the blame or take responsibility for it; no one can start a quarrel all by himself.
Strike while the iron is hot
Seize a good opportunity as quickly as possible.
There's no smoke without fire
Rumors do not spread unless there is some element of truth in them.
Time and tide wait for no one
Time is precious, once it is past no one can go back and claim it thus everyone should be mindful of how his time is spent.
To err is human, to forgive divine
It is only normal for man to make mistakes and do wrong, but for one to forgive another for his wrong is indeed great and gracious act.
What's done can't be undone
In life there are some things once done or decisions once made cannot be changed; malicious words once uttered or harmful actions once done cannot be taken back.
Two heads are better than one
It is always better to get the view of another than to rely entirely on one's own judgment.
When in Rome do as the Romans do
When one is in a new place, country or situation he must adapt himself to the new manners and customs.
When the cat is away the mice will play
When law enforcers are not present, certain public members will take the opportunity to break the law
Absence makes the heart grow fonder One usually desires another more when he or she is far away.
| A bad workman always blames his tools | A careless or unskilled worker blames bad work on his tools rather than himself. | |
| A new broom sweeps clean | A person newly appointed is always eager and enthusiastic in his work. | |
| Don't judge a book by its cover | Do not be deceived by appearances. | |
| Blood is thicker than water | Family ties are stronger than any other. | |
| Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. | Do not make plans based on something that has not happened. | |
| Don't make a mountain out of a molehill | Do not make a big fuss or issue over something minor or small | |
| Experience is the best teacher | The best way to learn a job is to do it. | |
| The last straw that broke the camel's back | The final thing that, when added to a bad or unpleasant situation, causes failure or ruin. | |
| Look at the bright side | Be optimistic | |
| Make hay while the sun shines | Seize opportunities | |
| Out of sight, out of mind | You will soon forget friends you do not meet or keep in contact with. | |
| A leopard cannot change its spots | A person's nature cannot change. | |
| There are two sides to every question | | There are always two ways of looking at something |
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| Too many cooks spoil the broth | | Too many people doing the same thing at the same time will not be successful |
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| We never miss the water till the well runs dry | | You only realize the importance of something when it is gone |
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| To put the cart before the horse | | To do something in an incorrect order |
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| Bite off more than one can chew | | To try to do something one is unable to do or incapable of doing. |
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| Half a loaf is better than none | | It's better to have or receive less than one desires than to have or receive nothing at all. |
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| Have an old head on young shoulders | | Youngsters who possess qualities of wisdom one would only expect to find in experienced older people. |
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| Have eyes in the back of one's head | | An ability to know what is happening not within the scope of one's vision. |
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| If it's not one thing it's another | | The troubles seem to go on and on without end. |
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| The sky is the limit | | There is no upper limit to something |
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| A trouble shared is a trouble halved | | Your troubles seem half as great when you discuss them with someone else |
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| A watched pot never boils | | If you watch or wait for something to get done or to happen it seems to take forever |
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| Worship the ground somebody walks on | | Very much in love with somebody |
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| Between a rock and a hard place | | To be in a difficult situation from which there seems to be no escape |
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| Cleanliness is next to Godliness | | To be clean and tidy is just as important as being spiritually good and religious. |
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| Money is the root of all evil | | Crimes and wickedness are associated with money. |
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| Two's company, three's a crowd | | It is always fun while there are only two people whereas the third person is an unwelcome intrusion. |
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| It takes all sorts to make a world | | You should not expect everyone to think and act as you do. |
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| Jump from the frying pan into the fire | | To go from a bad position to a worse one. |
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| Go from the sublime to the ridiculous | | Move from one situation which is wonderful or perfect to another which is absurd or awful |
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| One swallow doesn't make a summer | | One success doesn't guarantee complete success |
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| Truth is stranger than fiction | | Real life can be more incredible than anything which can be imagined |
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| You can't have your cake and eat it | | You must choose between two things as it is impossible to have both at the same time |
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| A miss is as good as a mile | | Something that one already has is better than something that one may not be able to get |
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| As you make your bed so must you lie on it | | You must accept the consequences of your act |
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| Cut your coat according to your cloth | | Live within your income; don't be too ambitious in your plans |
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All's fish that comes the net
When something comes our way we should consider how it might be useful or benefit us.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
It means that apples are so nutritious they keep you in the peak of health.
Be on the safe side
To take special precautions to avoid making a mistake
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
What is beautiful to one person may not be beautiful to others.
Beggars can't be choosers
Someone in need should be grateful for what is given to him -- even if it's not what he wants or expects
The blind leading the blind
A person helping or advising someone knows as little about the subject as the person who is being advised.
The buck stops here
It means final decision or total responsibility for an action
Burn the candle at both ends
Those who are always busy and seem to get little rest
Buy a pig in a poke
Buy something without examining it for faults or checking to see if they are really getting what they believe they have purchased
Catch as catch can
To do anything or use any means to achieve an aim or reach a goal.
Children should be seen and not heard
To stop a child from asking questions, talking, or making unnecessary noise.
Christmas comes but once each year
An excuse to indulge in food and drink and spend money during the Christmas season.
Cry over spilled milk
It's pointless to get upset or feel regret about a loss or mistake that can't be undone
Curiosity killed the cat
To warn people not to show too much interest in affairs that don't concern them.
Cut off your nose to spite your face
When people are dissatisfied or angry, they sometimes react by doing foolish things that prove harmful to themselves.
The devil finds work for idle hands
Unless one keeps busy doing useful or constructive things he could be tempted into mischief or evil.
The devil has the best tunes
To do something unworthy because it gives you pleasure
Dog eat dog
In competitive situations where each person has his own interests at heart, it is usually the strong and the determined who succeed.
An exception to the rule
Something does not conform to or agree with a rule
Fling/throw mud at someone
To say evil or bad things about someone and in doing so, to damage his or her reputation.
A fool and his money are soon parted
A person who spends his money foolishly will soon be penniless
Forgive and forget
Excusing or pardoning someone for doing something
Give someone enough rope and he will hang himself
If we allow someone to continue in his bad ways he'll eventually bring about his own downfall or ruin.
Grin and bear it
To put up with discomfort or a bad situation without complaining.
He who pays the piper calls the tune
The person who pays for something has the right to do as he wants.
Hide your light under a bushel
Concealing your talents, skills or abilities
Hitch one's wagon to a star
To Move forward in a way to improve your chances of achieving success.
Home is where the heart is
No matter where you are, 'home' is where you feel most comfortable and content.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
If we could get all the things we wanted just by making a wish, everyone would have all he ever wanted. If you can't lick them, join them If you cannot defeat an opponent or get him to change his ideas, plans or way of doing things, the best thing is to change your ideas, plans, etc.
In for a penny, in for a pound
If we decide to do something, we should commit ourselves to it boldly and completely.
A job worth doing is a job worth doing well
When you do something you should do it as well as you can.
Keep the wolf from the door
To avoid hunger and poverty
Laugh and the world laughs with you
When someone is in a happy, cheerful mood, people like being with him. Least said, soonest forgotten The less we say about it the sooner the incident will be forgotten.
A chicken and egg question
A mysterious question which can't be answered
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink
We can help, show or encourage someone to do something but we can't make him do what he is unwilling or unable to do
Life is just a bowl of cherries
Life is full of happiness and pleasure
Like a bull in a china shop
A clumsy or tactless person
Lock the stable door after the horse has bolted
Once a mistake has been made or an error committed, it's too late to take precautions to prevent it from happening.
The longest day must have an end
All difficult jobs or situations also have an end.
Losers weepers, finders keepers
If someone loses something, he weeps -- but if someone finds it, he keeps it.
Love me, love my dog
If we want a person's friendship we must accept him totally, faults and all.
Many hands make light work
Many people sharing a job or tasks make easier work of it.
The mountain labors and brings forth a mouse
To work hard and long on a project that turns out to be pretty useless.
Opportunity only knocks once
Seize an opportunity when it occurs for it may never happen again.
An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure
It is even better to be cautious and prevent a misfortune or an accident from happening.
Possession is nine points of the law
In disputes over property ownership, the person in possession of something is sometimes said to have nine-tenths a chance of winning it in a legal argument
Promises are like pie crust
Most promises cannot be kept
Put a quart into a pint pot
Doing something that's impossible
The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike
No matter how good or bad a person, he must still face the everyday problems that confront us all.
The sins of the fathers will be visited upon the children
People will be punished for the wrongs committed by their parents, forefathers, or those who have preceded them.
Someone's bark is worse than his bite
People sometimes bark but in time we learn they're not always as frightening as they seem.
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
To do something unworthy just because it gives you the pleasure
A stitch in time saves nine
By taking immediate action we can prevent a fault, damage or trouble from getting worse
A straw will show which way the wind blows
A small incident can reveal an important event
Teach an old dog new tricks
It is impossible to change someone's ways or habits, especially if he is old and resists change
That's where the shoe pinches
That's the source or cause of a problem or an annoyance
There are none so blind as those that will not see
People ,who never admit they might be wrong, refuse to listen to the opinions or ideas of anyone
There are none so deaf as those who will not hear
People sometimes hear only what they want to hear
There's more than one way to skin a cat
There is more than one way of getting a job done
The thin end of the wedge
That something can appear to be small and of no particular importance - yet it can turn out to be the beginning of a major problem.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
It means that though something beautiful may not last, the happy memory of it will live forever.
Time heals old wounds
The passing of time helps us to forget things that have caused us pain or made us unhappy.
The truth will out
Truth about something will eventually be discovered or made known
Turn up like a bad penny
Something or someone disliked just won't go away Two wrongs do not make a right If a person does something to harm or offend us, that's wrong. If we do something to harm them back, that's wrong too.
Uneasy is the head that wears the crown
Notable or important people are often concerned about losing their positions.
Waste not, want not
If we're careful and waste nothing we'll never go without things we need.
The way to a man's heart is through his stomach
Most men love to eat so feed your husband well and he will always love you.
Wear out one's welcome
One is no longer welcome, usually because he has become a nuisance When poverty comes in the door, love flies out the window As soon as a happily married couple begin having financial problems and the bills pile up their love will disappear.
Who keeps company with wolves, will learn to howl
If we associate with bad companions we, too, will become bad
You pays your money and you takes your chances
A humorous way of saying that we sometimes must trust in luck when buying something.
Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them
If you are rich and successful, you will attract many friends, but if you should suffer hardship or have misfortune ( adversity ), your friends will quickly depart.
A constant guest is never welcome
We are apt to grow to dislike friends who visit us too often
Catch not at the shadow and lose the substance
We should not waste time on trivial aspects of a matter and neglect the essential matter itself.
If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch
Those without knowledge should not try to teach the ignorant.
Kindle not a fire you cannot put out
Do not start something you cannot control or resolve
Do unto others as you would others do unto you
Treat others as you would like them to treat you.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Foolish people tend to act too hastily and do things that wise people would avoid.
A contented mind is a perpetual feast
Contentment of mind is the cause of lasting happiness.
History tends to repeat itself
What has happened once is liable to happen again.
Cross the stream where it is shallowest
Don't make things difficult for yourself; always find the simplest means of achieving your objective.
It is useless to flog a dead horse
It is no use spending your time and energy on an activity or belief that is already widely rejected or outdated. Every oak must be an acorn Everything has to have a small beginning.
A good name is sooner lost than won
It takes a long time to build up a good reputation which can be easily destroyed by misconduct.
Do not cross a bridge till you come to it
Do not worry about something before it has happened
The best fish swim near the bottom
The best things are hard to come by
You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
You cannot change a person's real character
It never rains but it pours
Events, especially misfortunes, always come together and not one at a time.
A house divided against itself cannot stand
Discord breaks up families.
The darkest hour is that before dawn
Even when things seem at their very worst, they may shortly improve.
Variety is the spice of life
Life becomes very monotonous without some break or change in the daily routine.
Do not have too many irons in the fire
If we attempt to do too much at once, we shall not do anything properly
A light purse makes a heavy heart
We cannot be cheerful when we have financial problems.
The pen is mightier than the sword
The written word is more to be feared than physical violence
A nod is as good as a wink
A hint or suggestion can be accepted and acted upon without further elaboration.
Do not ride the high horse
Do not be arrogant
Even Homer sometimes nods
Even the best of us are liable to make mistakes.
There is no place like home
Even a simple home is the best place in the world for the people who live in it.
A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet
It is not what a thing is called that matters, but what it is.
Every flow must have its ebb
Life has its ups and downs, neither good fortune nor ill fortune lasts forever.
A cat may look at a king
Anyone has the right to look at or speak to anyone else without having to worry about status, position, upbringing etc.
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link
The success of a group or team depends on the full commitment of every member
A closed mouth catches no flies
It is better not to say anything than to say something that might get you into trouble
A drowning man will clutch at a straw
A desperate person will do anything to save himself
A friend to all is a friend to none
A person who makes himself close to everyone probably cannot be trusted by any one
A good beginning makes a good ending
Something that starts off right will probably succeed all the way and end on the right note
A good name is better than riches
A good reputation is precious, difficult to earn and cannot be bought
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing
Knowing only a little about something can cause you to distort the truth or overestimate, misunderstand something
A loaded wagon makes no noise
People who are very rich do not feel the need to speak about their wealthy as they do not feel threatened in any way
A man is known by the company he keeps
You can tell about a person by observing who he spends time with
A man is ruled by his passions
Your character, personality, attitude etc can be overtaken by your emotions if they are strong enough
A man's home is his castle
You feel most secure, free and in control in your own home
A pot of milk is ruined by a drop of poison
Something bad no matter how small can ruin all your plans, successes etc.
A small leak will sink a great ship
Small problems are worth the time to fix as they can eventually cause great damage
A wise man changes his mind sometimes, a fool never
It is wise to reconsider your plans, ideas, actions in the light of new information rather than to blindly stick to an earlier decision
A word spoken is past recalling
What has been said cannot be taken back, so think before you speak
A word to the wise is enough
You need not be long-winded when speaking to intelligent people or those who understand you well
Advice most needed is least heeded
People tend to ignore or overlook the help or advice they nee the most
After a storm, comes a calm
Every problem eventually comes to an end, so cheer up
All for one and one for all
People who are committed to working together for a positive outcome
All good things come to an end
Every event, no matter how enjoyable, must end at some point
All the world loves a lover
Everyone loves to see people in love
All things come to him who waits
You will get what you want if you are willing to wait for it patiently
All's fair in love and war
Where powerful emotions are concerned, there can be no firm rules of behavior
All's well that ends well
A happy ending to a difficult situation can help you forget or disregard the earlier trouble
An army marches on its stomach
You need to eat for energy to complete your tasks
An empty bag will not stand upright
Quality comes with effort
Appearances are deceptive
What looks good may not really be so
April showers bring May flowers
Unpleasant events can sometimes lead to better things
As soon as a man is born, he begins to die
Death is the destiny of every man
Ask no questions and hear no lies
Do not force a person into telling you a lie by forcing him to talk about something he does not want to talk about
Avoid evil and it will avoid thee
Stay out of trouble, and trouble will not follow you
Bad news travels fast
People seem to hear bad news very fast
Bad is never good until worse happens
A bad situation you have been complaining about will suddenly seem a blessing when something worse happens
Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it
What you wish for may not really be what is good for you
Beauty is only skin-deep
Looks are not the most important thing about a person
Behind every successful man is a woman
A man's strongest and most loyal supporters are usually his mother and/or his wife
Better a mouse in the pot than no meat at all
To have something, no matter how little or poor in quality, is better than to have nothing at all
Do as I saw, and not as I do
Do something as you have seen it done although it may be different from your own way of doing it
Doctors make the worst patients
It is difficult advising people on matters they are supposed to be experts on because they believe they know better
Don't go near the water until you learn how to swim
Do not try to do something before you have learnt how to do it or before you are ready for it
Don't mend what isn't broken
Do not change things that are working fine as they are
Don't shut the barn door after the horse is gone
prepare for emergencies and eventualities before they happen
Don't teach your grandmother how to suck eggs
Do not be presumptuous and teach an experienced person how things should be done
Better be safe than sorry
It is wise to take precautions rather than be upset that you did not prepare for an eventuality after something has happened
Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know
the problems you are facing at present may not be as bad as those in the place you are planning to move to
Better to be alone than in bad company
It is better to be by yourself than to be with people who are a bad influence
Better to die with honor than live with shame
It is more honorable to do the right thing even if you will be punished or have to die for it than to live as a coward or a liar
Bitter pills may have blessed effects
Something may be unpleasant or painful, but it can help you in the long run
Books and friends should be few but good
You do not need to have too many friends or read too many books in order to live a balanced, fulfilled and complete life as long as the friends and books you do have are full of substance
Boys will be boys
Often applied to men who act childishly
Brain is better than brawn
Intelligence is more valuable than physical strength
Bread always falls buttered-side down
Of two possibilities, it often seems that the more negative one will occur
Brevity is the soul of wit
When you want to sound clever, it is better to be brief rather than long-winded
Business before pleasure
It is better to finish your work before you have a good time
By timely mending save much spending
Fix a problem as soon as you discover it to save money, expense, worry, etc having to deal with it later when it has become a bigger problem
Chance favors the prepared mind
You should always be prepared to act so that when opportunities present themselves, you are ready to seize them
Cheapest is dearest
Some items may save you money because they are cheap, but their quality may be poor, and this may cost you a lot of money in repairs and getting replacements later
Clothes make the man
The way you dress tells people something about you, and can influence their opinion of you
Comparisons are odious
It is bad to compare people to one another
Confessed faults are half-mended
When you own up to a fault, mistake or wrongdoing, you are halfway to changing into a better person
Courtesy costs nothing
Politeness should be a way of life for everyone
Cowards die many deaths
A coward is afraid of everything, and therefore, faces every problem or challenge with great fear
Crime does not pay
However much you may earn or make as a criminal, a life of crime does not pay because the law will catch up with you eventually
Curses are like chickens, they come home to roost
Curses you place on others may find their fulfilment in you, so it is best not to curse anyone
Danger and delight grow on the same stalk
Some pleasures will lead you to danger
Death is the great leveler
Death, which comes to everyone without discrimination, makes everyone equal
Deeds are fruits, words are but leaves
Taking action is far better than just talking about problems or negative situations
Desperate times call for desperate measures
Sometimes, a situation is so urgent or unexpected that you have to resort to doing things you normally would not
Different strokes for different talks
You need different plans or strategies in managing different people as people are different in personality and temperament
Diligence is the mother of good fortune
Working hard will bring you riches and success
Distance lends enchantment to the view
When you are free of a problem or far away from troublesome people, you begin to feel that things were not so bad after all
Divide and rule
A method of ruling or managing people where you separate them into different groups to make sure they do not join forces against you
East or West, home is best
You feel safest, most comfortable and most at peace in your own home
Even a broken/stopped clock is right twice a day
No one is ever wrong all the time
Even a dog can distinguish between being stumbled over and being kicked
Do not let people bully you, but be alert to when you are being taken advantage of
Every ass loves to hear himself bray
Conceited people love to boast about their achievements
Every bird loves to listen to himself sing
People who know they are good at something tend to boast about their ability
Every family has a skeleton in the cupboard
Every family has their secrets
Every man has his faults
No one is perfect
Every man has his price
If you offer someone enough money, he will be willing to do anything for you
Every man is his own worst enemy
A lot of people tend to hurt their own chance at success because of negative-mindedness, fear, ignorance, unresolved issues
Every man must carry his own cross
Everyone has to carry his burden or responsibilities in life
Every picture tells a story
Every situation has an explanation
Everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die
Everyone wants to enjoy success, but few are willing to work hard or take the risks involved in achieving it
Example is better than precept
It is better to show by example than to advise, order or tell people to be upright
Experience is the mother of wisdom
You become wiser as you gain more experience in life
Facts are stubborn things
You cannot change the facts of a case
Failure teaches success
People can learn from their failures and mistakes
Faith will move mountains
Miracles will happen when you believe that they will
Familiarity breeds contempt
People tend to lose respect for people they are close to or in close company with all the time
Fear is stronger than love
Fear is often a stronger emotion or motivation than even love
Fear of death is worse than death itself
Fear is often a crippling emotion because it is so powerful
Fine feathers make fine birds
You can pretend to be rich, famous etc. by dressing the part
Fine words butter no parsnips
Just talking about something is not going to get the job done
First deserve, then desire
Before you begin to hope about possessing something, make sure you are qualified for it
First things first
Do the more urgent and important things first
First think, and then speak
Think about what you are going to say before you speak
Flattery brings friends, truth enemies
People like to hear good things said about them although they may not be the truth
Fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice, shame on me
You should be alert to people trying to get the better of you
Fretting cares make grey hairs
Worrying is a negative activity that can age you prematurely
Garbage in, garbage out
If the information or input you provide is wrong, the end result will also be below par or flawed
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime
It is better to teach people how to be independent by teaching them how to do things for themselves than to do everything for them
Give and take is fair play
You should be willing to give in partly to others if you want them to give in partly to you
Give credit where credit is due
Appreciate someone for the good work he ahs done
Give him an inch and he'll want a yard
Some people always take advantage of favor that is shown them
Good fences make good neighbors
Respect people's privacy and their territory
Good wine needs no bush
Products of good quality do not need a lot of advertising, as their quality alone shows their worth
Goodness is better than beauty
Inner beauty is more valuable than outer beauty
Grasp all, lose all
If you are too greedy and try to grab everything you see, you might lose that and everything you have too
Green leaves and brown leaves fall from the same tree
Everyone has a common beginning, and therefore, no one is above another
Happy wife, happy life
If you have a happy or good life partner, you will be happy and contented
Hard words break no bones
Ignore insults as they cannot physically harm you, and will only harm you emotionally if you let them
Haste makes waste
Things that are done in a hurry are usually done sloppily, and may contain careless mistakes
He is rich who owes nothing
A person who owes no one a debt is free of worry, and therefore, rich, in a sense
He is the best general who makes the fewest mistakes
A good leader rarely makes mistakes
He knows most who speaks last
The one who waits to listen to what others have to say before speaking has a better understanding of a situation
He that goes a-borrowing, goes a -sorrowing
Do not make borrowing a habit as you will suffer for it in the end
He that is master of himself, will soon be master of masters
Self-discipline will help you achieve greatness
He that knows nothing, doubts nothing
An ignorant person usually raises no questions because he is not aware that problems exist
He that plants thorns must never expect to gather roses
If you do evil, do not expect good to come to you
He who dares, wins
You can only win or succeed if you are willing to take risks
He who fails to prepare, prepares to fail
lack of preparation will cause you to lose or fail
He who hesitates is lost
You will lose opportunities if you are indecisive and not fast enough to grab them
He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know
It is an ironic situation when someone who should speak up does not while the person who should not, does
He who likes borrowing dislikes paying
People who tend to borrow often are usually slow in settling debts
He who lives too fast, goes to his grave too soon
If you do not allow yourself to rest once in a while when you lead a fast-paced life, you will suffer from stress, burnt out and illness
He who sleeps forgets his hunger
sleeping is a good way to forget you are hungry, especially when there is no food for you and you have no money to buy any
He who serves two masters must lie to one
You cannot effectively or fully serve two people as your attention, loyalty, commitment etc. will be split between the two
He who stands for nothing will fall for everything
A person with no principles or opinions of his own will tend to go along with anything anyone tells him, and can, therefore, be easily cheated
He who sups with the devil has need of a long spoon
If you keep company with or work for dangerous or evil people, you will need to be very careful
He who will steal an egg will steal an ox
A person who steals small things is likely to steal big things too
Health is better than wealth
It is better to be healthy than rich, as without a healthy body you can do nothing, and cannot enjoy your wealth
History repeats itself
People tend to repeat mistakes made by others over the generations, not learning from them
Honey catches more flies than vinegar
Use the right incentives to motivate people to do something
Hope for the best, expect the worst
Never lose hope, but be prepared with an alternative if things do not go as planned
Hope is life
To live is to always be hopeful
Hope is the last thing that we lose
People are by nature hopeful, and must always be so because when we lose hope, we lose the will to live
Hope springs eternal
Hope is something that never dies, and people should never lose hope
Hunger is the best spice
When you are really hungry, everything tastes good, and you eat up everything placed in front of you
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again
Never stop trying to succeed at something
If the shoe fits, wear it
If something said about you is true, you should accept it.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
It is easy to wish for things, but wishes do not often come true
If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly
Cheap goods are usually not the best in terms of quality
If you buy quality, you only cry once
Items of good quality may be expensive, but they will last you a long time
If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen
If you cannot handle something, give it up
If you don't buy a ticket, you can't win the raffle
If you do not take the risk, you cannot expect success
If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all
Avoid being negative
If you keep your mouth shut, you won't put your foot in it
Keep quiet, and you will say nothing wrong
If you want a thing done right, do it yourself
Do not rely on others to complete your work for you
If you were born to be shot, you'll never be hanged
You cannot escape your fate
If you're in a hole, stop digging
Do not create more trouble for yourself when you are already facing some
| Ignorance is bliss | You can be happy when you do not know there are problems around you | |
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| Ignorance of the law excuses no man | Not knowing what you did was wrong does not excuse you from suffering the penalty | |
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| Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery | When someone copies what you do, it means they really admire you or the way you do things | |
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| It is best to be on the safe side | Play safe, and be prepared for the worst to happen | |
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| It takes two to tango | It takes two individuals to do certain things | |
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| It's a blessing in disguise | When an opportunity arrives through a crisis etc. | |
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| It's better to give than to receive | Giving is more blessed than receiving | |
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| It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all | | Do not be afraid to fall in love |
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| Jam tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today | | What you early hope for does not seem to be happening |
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| A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step | | To progress at anything, you first need to get started |
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| Judge not, lest ye be judged | | Do not judge others as you are not perfect yourself, so be merciful in the hope that others will show you mercy one day |
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| Keep no more cats than will catch mice | Do not acquire more than what you need | |
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| Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer | | Keep track of what your enemies are up to for your own protection |
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| Kill not the goose that laid the golden egg | | Do not be so foolish as to destroy the source of your good fortune out of pride, greed, anger etc |
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| Kill two birds with one stone | | Complete two tasks with one action |
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| Kindness begets kindness | | When you are kind to people, they will be kind to you in return |
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| Knowledge is power | | The more you learn, the greater influence you have over others |
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| Laugh and grow fat | | Laughter creates a sense of well-being and happiness |
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| Laughter is the best medicine | | being cheerful is good for your total well-being |
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| Laughter is the shortest distance between two people | | Laughter is the best way to break the ice between strangers or enemies |
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| Learn to walk before you run | | Do not rush into things before you are ready |
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| Let him who is without sin cast the first stone | | You qualify to judge someone only if you yourself are faultless |
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| Let the buyer beware | | Always be aware of what you are getting yourself into |
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| Let us go hand in hand, not one before another | | Face problems together in unity, and not alone or in a spirit of enmity |
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| Lightning never strikes twice in the same place | | The same misfortune will probably not occur again in the same place or to the same people |
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| Like cures like | | People who have been through something are usually able to help others with the same problem |
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| Little boys should be seen and not heard | | Children should not interrupt when adults are talking |
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| Little by little and bit by bit | | If you persevere at something, you will gradually accomplish it |
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| Little enemies and little wounds must not be despised | | Do not ignore people you have angered or hurt, however small the slight or injury, as they can harm you one day if they choose to bear a grudge |
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| Little strokes feel great oaks | | Continuous effort, however small the mount, will help you achieve your greatest dreams and ambitions |
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| Little things please little minds | | Childish people are thrilled by childish, petty things |
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| Live and learn | | Learn as much as you can from life |
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| Live and let live | | Get on with your own affairs and let other get on with theirs |
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| Long absent, soon forgotten | | If you are away for too long, people may forget you |
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| Look after the pence, and the pounds will look after themselves | | Take care of the details and the bigger issues will be solved |
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| Look on the bright side | | Be positive |
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Look on the sunny side of life
Be positive in life
Loose lips sink ships
People who talk too much may give away important secrets that could harm themselves or others
Love conquers all
Love motivates people to make things work
Love covers a multitude of sins
When you treat people with love, compassion, kindness, forebearing etc. you make up for a lot of your own faults because it is right to love people
Love makes the world go round
Love is the important thing in life that makes life meaningful
Love sees no faults
Real love does not take into account the flaws of a person
Love will find a way
Love motivates people to look for solutions to all problems
Man cannot live by bread alone
It takes more than food to complete your life
Marry in haste, repent at leisure
Do not rush into marriage because if you marry the wrong person, you will spend the rest of your life regretting it
Measure twice, cut once
Consider your options carefully in order to make a good decision
( The ) meek shall inherit the earth
The humble and the downtrodden but not the proud or the mighty will be rewarded with the best at the end of time
Mirrors do everything we do, but they cannot think for themselves
man-made devices have their limits, and cannot do everything humans can
Misery loves company
unhappy people seem to like to make others unhappy too
Money cannot buy happiness
You cannot buy joy, peace, contentment etc
Money isn't everything
Riches cannot solve all your problems or bring you joy, peace, contentment etc.
Money makes the world go round
People work hard and go through a lot of pain just to earn more money as if it is what keeps them going
Monkey see, monkey do
People without minds of their own tend to blindly do and say what others do and say
More haste, less speed
The more you hurry, the slower you seem to progress because hurrying causes you to make mistakes
Nature, time and patience are three great physicians
The goodness of nature, time and being patient can bring healing
Never do things in halves
Always complete a job as perfectly as you can
Never fall out with your bread and butter
Do not quarrel with the people who pay you your salary or with your customers
Never give advice unless asked
Do not assume that people need your help or that you have all the answers to help them, it is better to wait until you are asked for help
Never let the right hand know what the left hand is doing
Be discreet in all you do, do not tell others your deeds, especially your good deeds
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today
Do not delay doing tasks and assignments
Never say die
Never give up
never say never
Always leave room for change
Never speak ill of the dead
Do not talk badly about the departed
( It is ) never too late to repent
It is never too late to say you are sorry, and to change your ways
( One is ) never too old to learn
There is no age limit to acquiring knowledge
Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you
Do not go looking for trouble
( A ) nimble sixpence is better than a slow shilling
A capable person, even if he is slow or not well qualified, is more valuable than an inefficient person who may be highly qualified
No man can serve two masters
You can only be faithful to one boss, leader etc
No man is an island
Everyone needs the companionship of others
No man is content with his lot
Most people seem to be dissatisfied with what they have, and want other things
No man is indispensable
No man is so useful to others that people cannot do without him
No money, no justice
In a corrupt legal system, you can bribe lawyers and judges to win a case for you
No pain, no gain
You must be ready to make sacrifices to get what you want badly
No revenge is more honorable than the one not taken lips sink ships
However tempted you may be to retaliate, try not to because revenge is a negative pursuit
No rose is without a thorn
Nothing on earth is perfect
No time like the present
Now is the best time to do something
Nothing comes free
Unfortunately, everything in life has a price attached to it
Nothing succeeds like success
When a person starts being successful, he is likely to continue being successful
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
One must take risks in order to succeed at anything
Old habits die hard
It is difficult to change a long-time habit
One good turn deserves another
Always be ready to show kindness to people who have been kind to you
One man's junk is another man's treasure
People have different tastes, preferences, perceptions of the same thing
one man's loss is another man's gain
What is a disadvantage to one person can be an advantage to another
One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter
There are always two sides to an argument and two perspectives to consider
Opportunity seldom knocks twice
You must be ready to grab an opportunity when it comes your way
Patience is a virtue
Patience is an advantage and a good trait to nurture in yourself
Politics makes a strange bedfellows
In politics, people who have always been opponents often work together at different times for their own interests
Poverty is no crime
The poor should not be despised
Practise what you preach
Do what you advise others to do
Pride comes before a fall
An extremely proud person runs the risk of being humbled in front of everyone
Procrastination is the thief of time
To delay doing your work only wastes your time
Put a beggar on horseback, and he will ride to the devil
Sometimes, giving a person more than he needs or knows what to do with does not help him but instead, encourages him to go overboard
( The ) race is to the swift
People who are able to overcome life's troubles quickly or do things quickly have the advantage over others
Rats desert a sinking ship
When things go wrong in an organization, people tend to abandon it
Repeating a life doesn't make it true
Saying something is true when it is not just because you would like to believe it is so does not change the facts
Revenge is a dish best served cold
Revenge works well when the target least expects it
Revenge is sweet
Some people feel good to be able to get back at someone who has hurt them
Same meat, different gravy
The same thing presented differently
Scratch something and you'll find a something
When you know a person better, you will realize that he is not all he seems to be
See which way the wind is blowing
Test how things stand
Seek and ye shall find
When you set out to look for the truth with all your heart, you will find it
Self trust is the first secret of success
You need to believe in your abilities first of all in order to succeed in life
Set a thief to catch a thief
Use the skill and experience of one wrongdoer to catch another
Silence gives consent
If you do not protest, object or say anything in response to a proposal, plan etc. it means you are agreeable to it
Six of one and half a dozen of the other
The same or nearly the same in one case as in the other
Slow and steady wins the race
Do things at your own pace and ability, and you will succeed in time
Smile, and the world smiles with you; cry, and you cry alone
People are usually ready to share in your happiness but not in your sadness
Something is better than nothing
Be thankful that you do have something, and do not complain about how little you have
Speak of the devil and he's sure to appear
What you say when you are talking of someone, and he appears
Speak when you are spoken to
Respond when you are asked a question
Starve a cold, feed a fever
The best way to treat a cold is to skip a meal or two; the best way to treat fever is to have a light meal
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me
The unkind words of small-minded people should not upset or depress you
Stolen fruit is the sweetest
Things that are forbidden to you seem to be the most exciting or tempting
Success is a journey, not a destination
The most treasured part of an achievement is the experience and lessons you learn in the process
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof
Do not be troubled about the problems you may face tomorrow, as you have enough to contend with today
Take care of the pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves
Pay attention to the details and the larger issues will work out well enough
Talk is cheap
Talk that is not backed up with action is useless
Tell the truth and shame the devil
Tell the truth at all times
The acorn never falls far from the tree
Children tend to resemble their parents
The best laid schemes of mice and men often fail
No matter how well planned, your arrangements can go wrong because you do not control all events and cannot see into the future
The best of friends must part
Even good friends sometimes need to part, if only for a while
The best things come in small packages
Expensive things which are considered among the best things, can come in small packages
The best things in life are free
The most important things in life such as love, kindness, generosity etc. are free
The bigger they are, the harder they fall
The bigger a problem the greater its impact
The calm comes before the storm
There is usually peace before disaster strikes
The child is father to the man
Your experiences as a child mould you as an adult
The cure is worse than the disease
Some solutions seem worse than the problem
The customer is always right
The guiding principle of the service industry is that the customer must be satisfied, so never upset or contradict a customer
The darkest hour is that before the dawn
Relief or victory comes just after the worst phase of a bad situation
The eyes are the window of the soul
A person's eyes express his true feelings, thoughts etc
The fat is in the fire
It is too late to do anything about a situation
The first step is the hardest
Starting is often the most difficult part of doing a job
The first step to health is to know that we are sick
You have to be willing to admit there is a problem before you can change yourself, a bad situation etc
The head and feet keep warm, the rest will take no harm
If you take care of the important matters, everything else will fall into place
The journey is the reward
The most valuable, fulfilling and exciting part of achieving something is the work and effort put into the endeavour
The least said, the soonest mended
The less you say during a quarrel, the greater chance there is for you to patch up later
The longest mile is the last mile home
The nearer you are to your destination, the further away from you it seems
The more acquaintance, the more danger
The more casual friends you have, the greater the possibility that you will be led astray, betrayed etc
The more one knows, the less one believes
The more information you have about something, the more unsure or suspicious you can become of it
The more things change, the more they stay the same
Some changes are only outward, the actual problems remain the same
The more you get, the more you want
The more you have, the more you want to have because greed grows in you
The more you know, the more you know you don't know
The more knowledge you acquire, the more aware you are of how little you know about life
The nail that sticks out gets pounded
People who stand out in a group because they are different or because they raise questions, issues are quickly pressured into conforming with the rest of the group
The nearer the bone, the sweeter the meat
The closer you get to your goal or objective, the more thrilled or excited you get
The only free cheese is in the mouse trap
Be careful when people offer you something for nothing, as they may be trying to trap or cheat you
The only stupid question is the one that is not asked
The more questions you ask, the more you learn, so do not be shy or afraid to ask questions
The proof of the pudding is in the eating
How good something is can only be verified by evaluating it
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
A persons' good intentions are not enough to guarantee success
The start of a journey should never be mistaken for success
Do not assume you have succeeded at something when you have only just started on it
The truth is in the wine
People speak more freely when they are drunk, often revealing secrets
The truth hurts
Hearing the truth can sometimes be painful, especially when you have been believing something else for a long time
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong
Only a morally strong person is able to forgive people who have hurt him
The wish is father to the thought
Often, you think about and eventually act upon what you wish for
There are no endings, only new beginnings
Do not think of an ending as the end of something but as the beginning of a new cycle or phase
There are no small parts, only small actors
A good actor is able to make any role interesting and realistic, no matter how insignificant it may be
There only only twenty-four hours in a day
Time is a limited resource, so use it wisely
There is a time and a place for everything
Act according to the occasion
There is many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip
Anything can go wrong at any time before a matter is settled
There is many at a true word that is spoken in jest
A remark, such as something about a person's character, that is said jokingly, is often true to some extent
There is no fool like an old fool
When an older person acts silly, he appears really ridiculous because at his age, he is expected to be wise and sensible
There no honor among thieves
You cannot trust a thief
There is no point arguing with the barrel of a gun
It is pointless trying to argue with a very angry or violent person
There is no such thing as a free lunch
Nothing comes free
Thee is no venom like that of the tongue
The cruel things people sometimes say to one another can hurt more than the deadliest poison can
There is nothing new under the sun
There is nothing in the world that has not been seen, heard, discovered, experienced before
There is one law for the rich, and another for the poor
When the law is unjust and does not treat people fairly, but considers their wealth and status before deciding to help them
There is safety in numbers
You are safer when others are around
They who dance must pay the fiddler
You must be ready to accept the consequences of your actions
Think before you speak
Think before you say anything so that you do not say something foolish or hurtful
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones
People with obvious faults should not criticse the faults of others because they are themselves targets for criticism
Time cures all things
With time, people are likely to forgive and forget hurts
Time flies
Time seems to move very fast when you are having fun or doing something urgent
Time is a great healer
Time allows people to forgive and forget past hurts, injuries and loss as memories fade, and people become wiser and more mature
Time is money
Time is valuable, especially to business people, and should not be wasted
Time the deed to the need
Offer help when it is needed, and not when it is convenient for you
To understand all is to forgive all
When you know why a person behaves in a certain way, you can forgive him what he does and says
Tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is a new day which gives you the opportunity to start over
Tomorrow never comes
If you do not do something today you will probably not do it the next day either
Try not to become a man of success but a man of value
Good character and moral strength are more valuable than material success
Two things prolong your life: a quiet heart and a loving wife
Inner peace and a reliable life partner are a blessing to anyone
| Unity is strength | Unity brings strength to a team | |
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| United we stand, divided we fall | Unity bring strength to a team | |
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| Virtue is its own reward | You should not expect payment for doing things that you should do or for acting in a morally correct way | |
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| Walls have ears, shoes have tongues | Be careful what you say and who you speak to | |
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| We never miss the water till the well is dry | People do not notice or appreciate an advantage, strength until they suddenly etc lose it | |
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| What goes around, comes around | How you treat people is how you will eventually be treated | |
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| What goes up must come down | Things will return to their natural state eventually | |
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| What is learnt in the cradle lasts to the tomb | | Everything you learn in life stays with you till you die |
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| What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander | | What is good for one person ought to be good enough for anyone else |
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| What you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts | | The disadvantages you suffer in one area are equaled or cancelled by the advantages you win in others |
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| What you sow is what you reap | | You have to face the consequences of your actions |
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| When one sows the wind one reaps the whirlwind | When you live too fast-paced or dangerous a life, be prepared for trouble or danger | |
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| When the going gets tough, the tough get going | | Often, when things become difficult, people who seemed strong o who promised to help you leave you because they cannot take the pressure |
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| Wilful waste makes woeful want | | Do not waste anything thoughtlessly because you may need it later |
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| Winning isn't everything | | Success is not everything, what you learn in the process of becoming successful is more important |
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| You can't have things both ways | | You cannot avoid making a choice in some situations |
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| You can't make an omelette without breaking the eggs | | You have to sacrifice something in order to gain something else |
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| You can't please everyone | | You cannot make everyone happy at the same time -- someone is going to be unhappy with your actions |
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| You can't shoe a running horse | | If you want help, or if you are in trouble, you will need to stop and ask for help |
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| You could go a lot further and fare a lot worse | | You are better off now because things could have been worse for you |
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| You need to bait the hook to catch the fish | | You need to prepare the necessary materials or items before you can actually get something done |
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| You will never know till you have tried it | | You have to experience something yourself before you know what it is all about |
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| You win some, you lose some | | In life, you have to expect to win and lose |
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| Youth and age will never agree | | The young and the old do not always see eye to eye |
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