English Proverbs and Sayings 

Proverbs and sayings are short statements of wisdom or advice that are transmitted from generation to generation and have passed into general use.

• A lender nor borrower be.
  • Do not lend or borrow money.
    
    
• A leopard cannot change its spots.
  • It is impossible for a bad or unpleasant person to become good or pleasant.
    
    
• A lie begets a lie.
  • Telling one lie will lead you to tell another one.
    
    
• A little fire is quickly trodden out.
  • If you deal with a minor problem quickly, it will not become a major issue.
    
    
• A little of what you fancy does you good.
  • It's ok to give into a little temptation occasionally.
    
    
• A loaded wagon makes no noise.
  • Really wealthy people do not talk about money.
    
    
• A loveless life is living death.
  • Without affection, life is difficult.
    
    
• A man can die but once.
  • If death comes now, you will not have to experience it later.
    
    
• A man is as old as he feels himself to be.
  • Your age doesn't matter as long as you are fit and healthy.
    
    
• A man is judged by his deeds, not by his words.
  • A person is judged on what he/she actually does, not on what they say they will do.
    
    
• A man is known by the company he keeps.
  • A person's character is judged by the type of people with whom they spend their time.
    
    
• A monkey in silk is a monkey no less.
  • No matter how someone dresses, it's the same person underneath..
    
    
• A new broom sweeps clean (but the old brush knows all the corners...)
  • A newly-appointed person often makes changes quickly (but experience is also valuable).
    
    
• A nod is as good as a wink (to a blind horse/man).
  • A hint or a subtle signal is enough to convey meaning to someone who is ready to understand.
    
    
• A picture paints a thousand words.
  • A picture is better than a long description.
    
    
• A problem shared is a problem halved.
  (Also : A worry shared is a worry halved.)
  • It is easier to deal with a problem when you discuss it with someone.
    
    
• A rising tide lifts all boats.
  • A growing economy will lead to beneficial conditions for all.
    
    
    


• A rolling stone gathers no moss.
  • If a person keeps moving from place to place, they gain neither friends nor possessions. Another interpretation is that, by moving often, one avoids being tied down!
    
    
• A rotten apple spoils the barrel.
  • A dishonest or immoral person can have a bad influence on a group.
    
    
• A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.
  • Overcoming adversity leads to competence.
    
    
• A soft answer turneth away wrath.
  • If your reply is polite and tactful you will avoid anger.
    
    
• A stitch in time saves nine.
  • If you deal with a problem at an early stage you will save time and prevent it from getting worse.
    
    
• A stumble may prevent a fall.
  • Correcting a small mistake may help you to avoid making a bigger one.
    
    
• A swallow does not make the summer.
  • One good event does not mean that everything is all right.
    
    
• A tidy house holds a bored woman.
  • If a house is always tidy, the owner (woman) has nothing but housework to occupy her time.
    
    
• A watched pot never boils.
  • If you wait anxiously for something to happen, it seems to take a long time.
    
    
• A wise head keeps a still tongue
  • An intelligent person knows when to stay silent.
    
    
• A wonder lasts but nine days.
  • The effects of an amazing or stirring event last only nine days; after that, life goes on as before.
    
    
• A young idler, an old beggar.
  • If you don't work, you won't have any money when you're old.
    
    
• Absence is the mother of disillusion
  • A period of absence may eenable you to see people in a truer but less favourable light.
    
    
• Absence makes the heart grow fonder
  • When you are away from someone you love, you love them even more.