Proverbs and sayings are popular expressions of wisdom, often in circulation for centuries and even millenniums. They are an extremely important part of the English Language commonly used by native speakers.
This 4 part article includes 200 of the most important and common proverbs, each of which is followed by meaning and use in an example sentence.
101. Ignorance is bliss.
If you don’t know about something, you don’t need to bother about it. In other words, if you’re unaware of something, it won’t cause you stress. This proverb, however, is often used in the opposite way – ignorance is not bliss.
Example: I didn’t know that the neighbor next door was involved in criminal activities. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
102. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Words of flattery may not be sincere. But action (imitation) is sincere. Who wouldn’t be flattered if someone imitates them in some way?
Example: In the conference, the Twitter influencer with more than a million followers was told by a follower that he has amassed more than 20,000 followers by following the influencer’s advice. The influencer was extremely happy to hear that. Imitation, after all, is the sincerest form of flattery.
103. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
It’s better to be cautious than regret it later.
Example: One shouldn’t complain about the inconvenience of a security check each time one enter the building. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
104. It’s better to lose the battle and win the war.
It’s fine to lose small things if it helps you win the big pie.
Example: I climbed down from my position before the friendly argument could heat up, and we all parted amicably. It’s better to lose the battle and win the war.
105. It is easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general.
Leaders are not easy to find. Retain them at whatever price it takes if you’ve them.
Example: The Vice President was all set to leave Google and lead Twitter, but Google somehow convinced him not to leave as it knew that it was easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general.
106. It’s never too late to mend.
It’s never too late to change course or make amends for a past mistake. Don’t let your ego come in between.
Example: I think it was your fault, and you should be the one to say sorry and makeup with your estranged brother. It’s never too late to mend.
107. It is part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it.
People shouldn’t be subjected to discomfort beyond tolerance.
Example: The government raised taxes last year and shouldn’t raise them again. It is part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it.
108. It takes a village to raise a child.
It takes an entire community to raise children in a safe and nourishing environment.
Example: Lionesses in a pride take care of cubs of other lionesses. Doesn’t it take a village to raise a child?
109. It takes two to make a quarrel.
Without the involvement of at least two persons, a quarrel won’t happen. So, if one of the two persons decides, a quarrel won’t happen.
Example: X: Why are you so quarrelsome? Y: I’m not the only person involved. It takes two to make a quarrel.
110. It takes two to tango.
Where two parties are involved in a situation, the fault usually lies with both if things go wrong. Rarely can one party be blamed entirely.
Example: This deal won’t go through unless you too are willing to compromise. It takes two to tango, after all.
111. Justice delayed is justice denied.
In many countries, the wheels of justice move so slowly that sometimes it takes decades to pronounce a judgment. This causes suffering in terms of time and money wasted and the long wait for justice.
Example: The verdict in the landgrab case has come after twelve long years. To contest the case, the victim had to sell off his land. Justice delayed is justice denied.
112. Kind words will unlock an iron door.
If you talk politely, people are more amenable to your suggestions and ask.
Example: The government officer was quite cold to my father but did the job when I made a polite request. Kind words can unlock an iron door.
113. Kings have long arms.
Governments have far-reaching powers.
Example: After committing the fraud, the tycoon fled to another country, but the government pulled all levers to get him extradited. Kings indeed have long arms.
114. Laughter is the best medicine.
Laughter reduces stress and improves immunity, leading to better health.
Example: I think the best thing for you right now would be to spend some time with people you can joke around with. Laughter is the best medicine, after all.
115. Learn to walk before you run.
Learn basic skills first before venturing into complex things.
Example: X: I want to submit my first article to Fortune magazine for publication. Y: I think you should aim for smaller publications to start with. You should learn to walk before you run.
116. Least said, soonest mended.
When you fall out with someone, restrain yourself from using foul, upsetting language. Words can leave a lasting impression and make it difficult to reconcile.
Example: When the argument heated up with my friend, I de-escalated the matter, excused myself, and walked away. Least said, soonest mended.
117. Lend your money and lose your friend.
Lending money to a friend can lead to the souring of friendship. If you ask to repay, he may feel offended, and if he fails to repay, you’ll be offended.
Example: I don’t like calling up Tom any longer for regular chitchats after he failed to return the money I lent three months back. Lend your money and lose your friend, I guess.
118. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Don’t talk about a bad situation people have forgotten and that could unnecessarily create problems in the present.
Example: X: Should I ask the professor if he is upset about my late submission of the assignment? Y: If he hasn’t said anything, then don’t bring forth the topic – let sleeping dogs lie.
119. Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
Misfortune does not occur twice in the same way to the same person.
Example: X: I don’t want to take this route, because I was robbed the last time I traveled on this route. Y: Don’t worry, lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
120. Like people, like priests.
The quality of people is a good indicator of the quality of their leader. We expect our bureaucracy, politicians, and other leaders to be impeccable. But they don’t descend from the heavens. They come from the very people they represent, and hence their quality will be reflective of the quality of people.
Example: As a society, we’re becoming more and more insensitive, self-centered, and apathetic on matters of public importance. Little wonder, our leaders too aren’t first-rate. Like people, like priests.
The Greatest List Of Common English Proverbs Everybody Needs To Know (Part 1)
The Greatest List Of Common English Proverbs Everybody Needs To Know (Part 2)
The Greatest List Of Common English Proverbs Everybody Needs To Know (Part 3)
The Greatest List Of Common English Proverbs Everybody Needs To Know (Part 4)
121. Long absent, soon forgotten.
If you haven’t met or spoken to a friend or relative in a long time, he’ll be forgotten. Such friendships eventually wither away or may just remain a distant acquaintances.
Example: I haven’t spoken to my college friend in years, and now I don’t even like to make the call. I guess I’ve moved on. Long absent, soon forgotten.
122. Look before you leap.
Consider all consequences before taking an action, especially when you can’t retract.
Example: X: I’m planning to pursue an MBA. Y: It’s an expensive degree and, moreover, you’ll be out of work for two years. I would say look before you leap.
123. Love me, love my dog.
If you love someone, then you should love them as they come with their qualities, shortcomings, friends, family, and so on.
Example: If you love her, then you should love her family and friends as well. Love me, love my dog. Isn’t it?
124. Make hay while the sun shines.
Make the most of favorable conditions till they last.
Example: I got plenty of referral traffic to my website from Facebook in its initial years. I made hay while the sun shone. Later on, they changed their algorithm, after which the referral traffic dried.
125. Make yourself all honey and the flies will devour you.
If you’re a yes-man and often talk sweet language to please others, people won’t respect you.
Example: X: This guy tries to keep everyone in good humor and will change his stand just for that. Y: True. That’s why people treat him with contempt. Make yourself all honey and the flies will devour you.
126. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
Spend money carefully because it’s limited. You can’t grow it on trees and replenish.
Example: I’m surprised that you spent your entire month’s salary on a frivolous gadget. Well, money doesn’t grow on trees.
127. Money talks.
Money gives one power and influence.
Example: I don’t have access to many people like he has, after all, he is a scion of a rich family. Money talks, you know.
128. More die of food than famine.
More people die because of excessive indulgence in food and eating unhealthy than because of a shortage of food.
Example: You shouldn’t eat unhealthy snacks so regularly. Remember, more die of food than famine.
129. Murder will out.
Secrets rarely remain secret. They’ll eventually come out and be known to all.
Example: I tried my best to not let my organization know that I’m searching for another job, but, to my embarrassment, one of my teammates has come to know. It’s rightly said murder will out.
130. Necessity is the mother of invention.
A need or problem forces people to come up with innovative solutions.
Example: In some parts of the world, farmers use washing machines to clean potatoes. Necessity, after all, is the mother of invention.
131. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Don’t delay doing something if you can do it immediately.
Example: X: I’m done with most of my assignment, but I’ll pick up the remaining part on Monday. Y: Why don’t you complete it now? You’ll be more relieved and in a better state of mind. You shouldn’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
132. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
If you’re testing the depth of the water with both feet down, you risk being drowned if the water turns out to be deep. But if you test with one foot, you can pull away. The proverb means that before going the whole hog into something unknown, assess the risk well.
Example: Before investing a such large sum in crypto and taking a hit, I should’ve first invested a small amount or talked to experts. One should never test the depth of the water with both feet.
133. Night brings counsel.
If you have a difficult problem to solve or an important decision to make, a good night’s sleep will work wonders.
Example: Thinking over and over again about the problem isn’t leading to a solution. Why don’t you just sleep over the problem? Sometimes, the night brings counsel.
134. No gain without pain.
To succeed in one’s pursuits, it is necessary to work hard and sacrifice pleasures.
Example: You’ve to drastically reduce the time you spend on video games and TV if you want to get admission to a good college. No gain without pain.
135. No news is good news.
If you don’t receive any news about someone or something, it means that everything is fine and going normally.
Example: My daughter has been working in Australia for nearly five years now. At first, I used to get worried when I didn’t hear from her, but now I know that no news is good news.
136. Oaks may fall when reeds stand the storm.
Those who are flexible and relatively insignificant can survive a crisis that brings down powerful who are unable or unwilling to adapt.
Example: In mass extinction events such as the one in which dinosaurs became extinct, large animals, which need plenty of food, go extinct first. Oaks may fall when reeds stand the storm.
137. Once bitten twice shy.
A person won’t do something a second time because he/she had bad experience the first time.
Example: I won’t try this drink, because last time I had a burning sensation in my throat. Once bitten twice shy, I guess.
138. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
What may seem to be junk to one person may be valuable to another.
Example: I sold my 6-year-old laptop for a little amount, but I’m sure the buyer will make a hefty profit on it by refurbishing and selling it to someone else. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, after all.
139. Pen is mightier than the sword.
Thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than the use of force.
Example: After the mass killings at the newspaper office, there is a protest which is happening in the city declaring support for the paper, proving that the pen is mightier than the sword.
140. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones at others.
People who have some shortcomings shouldn’t criticize others for having the same shortcomings.
Example: The main political party in the opposition has blamed the ruling party for giving tickets to people with a dubious backgrounds in the upcoming elections. But the big question is are they themselves clean on this count? People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones at others.
141. Persuasion is better than force.
You can achieve better results through persuasion than through coercion.
Example: After many futile attempts by the government, farmers finally agreed to the acquisition of their land on the promise of economic development of the area. That’s why it is said persuasion is better than force.
142. Politeness costs little but yields much.
Speaking politely costs no more than speaking rudely, but it can yield much more by making friends.
Example: All things equal, few deals went my way – and not my competitor’s – because of my polite and pleasant demeanor. Politeness costs little but yields much.
143. Practice makes perfect.
Doing something over and over makes one better at it.
Example: You can’t expect to master guitar in two months. You’ve to keep at it for several months, as practice makes perfect.
144. Practice what you preach.
Behave the way you encourage others to behave.
Example: You keep telling us to go for a jog in the morning, but I wish you practice what you preach.
145. A rich man’s joke is always funny.
People agree with and flatter rich people to be in good books with them.
Example: The rich kid in my college was always surrounded by classmates who were overzealous to flatter him and keep him in good humor. A rich man’s joke is always funny.
146. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Important work takes time to complete.
Example: You can’t expect her to finish such a complex project in a week. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
147. Shrouds have no pockets.
We arrived in this world without anything, and we’ll leave without anything.
Example: What will you do with all the money you’re accumulating at the cost of a peaceful, happy life? As far as I know, shrouds have no pockets.
148. Silence is half consent.
If you don’t object to what someone says or does, you may be assumed to agree to some extent.
Example: He didn’t say anything to my proposal of going for a picnic on the weekend. I believe he is not saying ‘no’. Silence is half consent.
149. Slow and steady wins the race.
Slow and consistent work leads to a better chance of success than quick work in spurts.
Example: X: I’ve built a strong vocabulary by learning a word a day for the last three years. Y: Mine has been much less, even though I’ve had days when I polished off ten words. I guess slow and steady wins the race.
150. Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
If you work only on regular projects, you won’t be challenged and hence not become better at what you do. So, volunteer for few challenging projects as well.
Example: In my new project, I’m leading the team that will launch a new product, an experience that, I believe, will provide a steep learning curve. After all, smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
The Greatest List Of Common English Proverbs Everybody Needs To Know (Part 1)
The Greatest List Of Common English Proverbs Everybody Needs To Know (Part 2)
The Greatest List Of Common English Proverbs Everybody Needs To Know (Part 3)
The Greatest List Of Common English Proverbs Everybody Needs To Know (Part 4)
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