Proverbs are popular, short and wise sayings with words of advice or warning. Here is a list of proverbs still in current use.
Procrastination is the thief of time
Putting off doing things wastes a lot of time and usually ends in nothing being done at all.
Promises are like pie-crust, made to be broken
Very often promises are made and never kept.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating
We cannot judge the wisdom of any action until it has been put into practice.
The proper study of mankind is man
Our thinking and study should be devoted to understanding and improving the condition of man.
A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house
A man’s abilities are seldom recognised by his family and others who know him well.
Punctuality is the politeness of kings
It is very important to be punctual and it is very rude to be unpunctual.
Put the saddle on the right horse
Blame those who deserve it, not those who don’t.
Queen Anne is dead
That is old news. I heard it weeks ago.
Rain before seven, fine before eleven
Things will improve after a bad start.
Rats desert a sinking ship
Those who see the first sign of trouble are the first to seek safety.
The receiver is as bad as the thief
If you buy stolen goods, you are as guilty as the person who stole them.
A remedy may be worse than the disease
Measures to deal with evil often make the situation worse.
Respect is greater than a distance
If you keep yourself apart from other people, you will enjoy respect from them. However, if you mix with ordinary people, you will lose respect.
A rich man’s joke is always funny
Even if a rich man’s joke is not a very good one, those who surround him will laugh. When a poor man tells better jokes, nobody will listen to him.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
If your good intentions are not followed by good deeds, they are worse than useless.
A rolling stone gathers no moss
If you keep on changing your jobs, you will never be rich.
Rome was not built in a day
Important tasks call for a lot of hard work and take a long time to complete.
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet
It is not what a thing is called that matters, but what it is.
The rotten apple injures its neighbours
One person can have a very bad influence on others.
Safety lies in the middle course
Do not go to extremes.
Second thoughts are best
Sometimes your second decision is wiser than the first.