Proverbs are popular, short and wise sayings with words of advice or warning. Here is a list of proverbs still in current use.
When the cat is away the mice will play
When a person in authority is away, those working under him will take advantage of his absence.
When the wolf comes in at the door, love creeps out of the window
Love lasts as long as you have the money.
Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise
If knowledge brings unhappiness, it is better to be ignorant.
Where there is a will there’s a way
If you have the determination to do something, you can accomplish it.
Whether the pitcher strikes the stone or the stone the pitcher, it is bad for the pitcher
Whoever starts the fight, the weaker will get the worst of it.
Who chatters to you will chatter of you
Whoever tells you tales about other people will tell other people tales about you.
Who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl
If you mix with evil companions, you will be as wicked as they are.
Who repairs not his gutters repairs his whole house
If you do not spend for small repairs, you will have to spend a larger sum of money later to repair the whole house.
Why keep a dog and bark yourself?
Do not do the work that you pay others to do for you.
A wise man is never less alone than when alone
A wise man does not feel the lack of company when alone because he can find plenty to do and plenty to think about.
Wise men learn by other men’s mistakes; fools by their own
Wise men do not repeat the foolish behaviour of others but fools do so.
The wish is father to the thought
There is a belief that what you wish will happen.
A wonder lasts but nine days
An event that attracts much attention will soon be forgotten.
A word is enough to the wise
An intelligent person can readily take a hint.
A word spoken is past recalling Once you have said a thing, it is too late to regret having said it.
The worse luck now, the better another time
We are not always lucky.
The worst wheel of the cart creaks most
It is always the inefficient worker who does all the complaining.
The worth of a thing is best known by the want of it
It is only when we lose something that we appreciate the real value of it.
You cannot burn the candle at both ends You cannot do two opposite things at one and the same time.
You cannot catch old birds with chaff Experienced people are not easily deceived.
You cannot get blood out of a stone
You cannot get any help from a hard-hearted greedy person.
You cannot have your cake and eat it / You cannot eat your cake and have it
If you have to make a choice between alternatives, you must have one or the other, not both.
You cannot make a crab walk straight
You cannot change a person’s character.
You cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs You cannot expect to get something for nothing.
You cannot make bricks without straw
You cannot make anything without the necessary materials.
You cannot put old heads on young shoulders You cannot expect young people to be wise.
You may lead a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink You can do your best to make a person share your views, but there is a point beyond which he will not go.