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