English Proverbs
Commonly-used proverbs beginning with the letter 'I'
LIST I
from: 'an idle brain...' to: 'it takes all sorts...'
- (An) idle brain is the devil's workshop.
- When you are busy working you avoid temptation.
- When you are busy working you avoid temptation.
- In times of prosperity friends are plentiful.
- You have many friends when you have no difficulties.
- You have many friends when you have no difficulties.
- If a camel gets his nose in a tent, his body will follow.
- If you let something intrusive enter your life, your life will become difficult.
- If you let something intrusive enter your life, your life will become difficult.
- If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
- If something functions correctly, there's no point in
mending it.
- If something functions correctly, there's no point in
mending it.
- If in February there be no rain, 'tis neither good for hay nor grain.
- Plants and grains will grow badly if there is no rain in early spring.
- Plants and grains will grow badly if there is no rain in early spring.
- If you are patient in one moment of anger,
you will avoid 100 days of sorrow.
- Avoid regrets by taking the time to think before speaking or acting angrily.
- Avoid regrets by taking the time to think before speaking or acting angrily.
- If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.
- If you try to do two things at the same time, you will not succeed in doing either of them.
- If you try to do two things at the same time, you will not succeed in doing either of them.
- If two ride a horse, one must ride behind.
- When two people do something together, one will be the leader and the other will be the subordinate.
- When two people do something together, one will be the leader and the other will be the subordinate.
- If you want a friend, be a friend.
- Friendship must be reciprocal.
- Friendship must be reciprocal.
- If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.
- If just wishing for something were enough to make it happen,
then even the poorest of people would have everything they wanted.
Wishing alone is not sufficient; you must act as well.
- If just wishing for something were enough to make it happen,
then even the poorest of people would have everything they wanted.
Wishing alone is not sufficient; you must act as well.
- If you snooze you lose.
- You should pay attention and act quickly, otherwise someone else
will do it before you.
- You should pay attention and act quickly, otherwise someone else
will do it before you.
- Ignorance is bliss.
- What you do not know causes no worry or sadness.
It is sometimes better not to know all the facts.
- What you do not know causes no worry or sadness.
It is sometimes better not to know all the facts.
- In for a penny, in for a pound.
- If you start something, it is better to spend the time or money necessary to complete it.
- If you start something, it is better to spend the time or money necessary to complete it.
- In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.
- A man of even limited ability has an advantage over a person who is less able.
- A man of even limited ability has an advantage over a person who is less able.
- It never rains but it pours.
- Misfortune usually comes in large numbers.
- Misfortune usually comes in large numbers.
- It is always darkest before the dawn.
- The most difficult time is just before the problem is solved.
- The most difficult time is just before the problem is solved.
- It's no use crying over spilt milk.
- Don't express regret for something that has happened and cannot be remedied.
- Don't express regret for something that has happened and cannot be remedied.
- It takes all sorts to make a world.
- People vary in character and abilities, and this is a good thing.
- People vary in character and abilities, and this is a good thing.
More proverbs: