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.
151. Still water runs deep.
If a person doesn’t speak much, it doesn’t mean they lack depth or are uninteresting.
Example: She may not talk much, but she is one of the smartest people in the organization. Still water runs deep.
152. Strike while the iron is hot.
Take advantage of an opportunity before it extinguishes.
Example: I thought over the job offer for way too long. Now it has been offered to someone else. I should have struck while the iron was hot.
153. The course of true love never did run smoothly.
True love goes through ups and downs.
Example: Romeo and Juliet went through a lot of trials and tribulations in their love. The course of true love, it seems, never did run smoothly.
154. The family that (eats) and prays together stays together.
The family that gets together regularly to pray or eat is more close-knit than the family that doesn’t.
Example: Our grandfather ensured that all family members come together, howsoever busy they may be, at least once a week for dinner, which likely was the reason why our family was so close-knit. The family that (eats) and prays together stays together.
155. The grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
People are never satisfied with their own situation; they always think others have it better.
Example: X: When I see him post all those travel pictures on Instagram, I feel he has a perfect life. Y: It’s usually not like that in real life. I’m sure he too has his share of problems. I see your thought as grass being greener on the other side of the fence.
156. The harder you work, the luckier you get.
The harder you work, the more ideas and chances you may make for yourself.
Example: Many think he got lucky in getting that fat contract, but few know he had been pursuing dozens of such contracts for several weeks – the harder you work, the luckier you get.
157. The higher the monkey climbs the more he shows his tail.
The higher an incompetent person rises in an organization, the more his incompetence is exposed.
Example: After the recent promotion, the official, who somehow rose in ranks despite lack of merit, now headed a much larger department. As a result, his incompetence was now exposed to far more people. The higher the monkey climbs the more he shows his tail.
158. The highest branch is not the safest roost.
Those in the highest positions can be vulnerable as many aspire to replace them. Second, if the person is replaced, it’s not easy to find a similar position because of the paucity of roles at the top.
Example: In earlier times, kings used to be on their guard all the time, suspicious of plots to overthrow them. The highest branch is not the safest roost, after all.
159. The longest way around is the shortest way home.
If you want to achieve the desired quality, work diligently and carefully and do not cut corners.
Example: The earlier software contractor wrote a bloated, shoddy code that now needs to be rewritten. It should have been done more thoughtfully. The longest way around is the shortest way home.
160. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.
If you deviate from the norm, you’ll face resistance, even hostile reactions in extreme cases.
Example: In government, where rule-based work is the norm, the nail that sticks out usually gets hammered down.
161. The only free cheese is in the mousetrap.
There rarely are completely free offers; they come attached with hooks. So, beware of such offers.
Example: The film actor got a 4-day stay at a heavy discount at a premium hotel in the Maldives, but later they used her pictures to promote the hotel. The only free cheese is in the mousetrap.
162. The proof of the pudding is in eating.
You can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it.
Example: X: Marketers have claimed that this weight loss diet produces strong results in just two months. Y: Well, I’ll reserve my opinion till I’ve tried it myself. After all, proof of the pudding is in the eating.
163. There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.
We all want peace and happiness in life, and there are multiple ways of achieving this goal. However, many get so tunnel-focused that they fail to see paths other than their current job, which may ironically be hurting their pursuit of happiness. So, once in a while, take a step back and reflect.
Example: You’re overworked and stressed in your current job. I would suggest you explore other options, for there are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.
164. There are more ways than one to skin a cat.
There is more than one way to reach the same goal.
Example: We can get around that by renting instead of buying the delivery van – there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
165. There is no time like the present.
The best time to do something is right now. So, act now.
Example: Don’t wait until New Year to change your bad habits. There’s no time like the present.
166. There is truth in wine.
People when drunk speak the truth, often unwittingly.
Example: I got to know quite a few secrets last night from my friend Tom after he got drunk. There certainly is truth in wine.
167. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Good intention doesn’t matter if a person’s actions lead to bad outcomes.
Example: X: Well, I was only trying to be helpful by mixing those two acids. Y: But it exploded! Well, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
168. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
People who complain the most are the ones who get attention or what they want.
Example: If you’re not satisfied with the service at the hotel, then you should call up the manager there. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, after all.
169. The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet tall.
We should avoid foul, inconsiderate language because it can leave lasting scars and dent relationships forever.
Example: The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet high. It did in my case as I lost my friend forever when, in a fit of anger, I used quite harsh language with him, even dragging his friends and family.
170. Time and tide wait for no man.
You’ve no control over the passage of time; it’ll keep slipping. So don’t procrastinate, and don’t delay things.
Example: We need to decide fast about buying the property at this price. Time and tide wait for no man.
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)
171. To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
Many take up a job or project they later hate, wasting precious years. This can be avoided if you ask a few who’ve undertaken the same job or project about their experience.
Example: I could’ve made a more informed career choice if I had asked a few senior software engineers the nuts & bolts of the job at various stages of the career. To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
172. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
When too many people work together on a project, the result is inferior.
Example: This proposal has received feedback from too many parliamentary committees, and that’s probably the reason why it lacks clear action items. I’ve no doubt that too many cooks spoil the broth.
173. Two heads are better than one.
Two persons have a better chance to solve a problem than one.
Example: More startups have two cofounders than one. That’s because they very well understand that two heads are better than one.
174. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
You shouldn’t harm a person who has harmed you, even if you think that person deserves it.
Example: Just because he insulted you doesn’t mean it’s OK for you to start a rumor about him – two wrongs don’t make a right.
175. What can you expect from a pig but a grunt?
What can you expect from a bad character but foul and rough language?
Example: X: My neighbor quarreled with me and used abusive language over such a small issue. Y: What can you expect from a pig but a grunt?
176. When a twig grows hard, it is difficult to twist it.
A person can be molded when young but not when he has grown up. So, one should inculcate good values in children while they’re still young.
Example: Your son doesn’t take responsibility when he fails at something. You must take corrective action now, for when a twig grows hard, it is difficult to twist it.
177. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
When visiting a foreign land, follow the customs of local people.
Example: I don’t love cotton candy, but we are at a carnival. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?
178. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
When conditions become difficult, strong people take action.
Example: I know you’re not used to climbing at such heights, but come on when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
179. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
If you are determined enough, you can find a way to achieve what you want, even if it is difficult.
Example: He had few resources to start his business, but he eventually did through a small opening – a blog. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
180. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
If there are rumors or signs that something is true, there must be some truth in it.
Example: X: Do you believe those rumors about the mayor? Y: Well, you know what they say, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
181. While the cat is away, the mice will play.
Without supervision, people will do as they please, especially in disregarding or breaking rules.
Example: As soon as their parents left, the children invited all their friends over – when the cat’s away, you know.
182. Why buy a cow when milk is so cheap?
Why take the trouble of investing in a cow and then maintaining it when you can simply buy milk far more cheaply? You should avoid buying unnecessary assets when you can do with far cheaper options.
Example: Why buy a vehicle when we can get one on rent? Why buy a cow when milk is so cheap?
183. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?
Sometimes, you have employees for a specific job, but someone else ends up doing that job. That’s a waste.
Example: The company has hired a designer to bring uniformity and quality to design, but some of the divisions are still designing their own stuff. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?
184. Words must be weighed, not counted.
Word count doesn’t matter. What matters is how effective they’re.
Example: Your report is quite voluminous, and it contains a lot of superfluous stuff. Kindly revise it. Words must be weighed, not counted.
185. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
It’s easier to win people to your side by persuasion and politeness than by confrontation and threats.
Example: X: The courier service has taken more time to deliver than they had promised. I want to take the issue up with them and get a refund. Y: I would suggest you deal with them politely. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
186. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
You can show people the way to do things, but you can’t force them to act.
Example: X: He has received all the resources one needs to start a business, but even after six months I don’t see anything happening. Y: Well, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.
187. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
If you have your cake and eat it too, you get two things that are normally impossible to get simultaneously.
Example: If you want more local services, you can’t expect to pay less tax. Well, you can’t have your cake and eat it.
188. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
It is hard to achieve something important without causing unpleasant effects.
Example: If I don’t slash salaries, the company is going to go bankrupt. It is unfortunate, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
189. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
People who have long been used to doing things in a particular way will not abandon their habits to learn something new.
Example: I bet you can’t get him to wake up at 5 AM and go out for a walk. It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
190. You do not fatten a pig by weighing it.
This proverb is quoted by opponents of too much testing. Weighing a pig won’t fatten it. Altering its diet would. Similarly, testing kids in school multiple times won’t improve their performance in a particular subject. What’s required is an elaborate system to work on students’ weak areas.
Example: Most private coaching centers for entrance exams hold not only regular tests but also elaborate doubt-clearing sessions. They clearly understand that you can’t fatten a pig by only weighing it.
191. You show me the man, and I’ll show you the rule.
Rules change depending on how powerful the person likely to be affected by the rules is.
Example: X: He has been treated leniently by the police. Y: That’s why they say – you show me the man and I’ll show you the rule.
192. Hunger drives the wolf out of the wood.
Like hunger forces the wolf out of the wood to seek food elsewhere, necessity forces the poor to take up unpleasant tasks, sometimes in violation of the law.
Example: With growing income disparities in society, the government must strengthen its skilling program for the unemployed and improve welfare programs for the poor. Otherwise, hunger will drive the wolf out of the wood.
193. A house divided cannot stand.
Prosperity and success come when a country, society, institution, or family stands united on issues and work together.
Example: Opposition parties are opposing the government even on the issue of national security, where we must stand united. A house divided cannot stand.
194. Until the lions produce their own historian, the story of the hunt will glorify only the hunter.
History is written by the victors, and they, naturally, glorify themselves.
Example: Tom: Some of the portrayals in history are overly rosy and superhuman, and some are downright villainous.
Jerry: Until the lions produce their own historian, the story of the hunt will glorify only the hunter.
195. The fish always stinks from the head downwards.
A dead fish starts rotting from the head downwards. Similarly, in any organization or country, the rot sets in from the top. If the leadership is defunct, corrupt, and self-centered, implications will soon spread to the entire organization.
Example: Who can forget the scandals at Enron and Satyam Computers where misdemeanors of their leaders sank the companies? The fish always stinks from the head downwards.
196. If every man would sweep his own doorsteps, the city would soon be clean.
For community work, everyone should take responsibility and contribute whatever little they can. Small contributions by many can accomplish mammoth tasks such as cleaning an entire city.
Example: The people came together to raise funds for the community center. If every man would sweep his own doorsteps, the city would soon be clean.
197. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Teaching fishing, a skill, is far more important than merely handing doles (fish, here) to people. It serves as an important reminder to our educational institutions, especially higher education, where the majority of graduates are churned out without marketable skills. Most animals, in contrast, teach only the most essential skills – finding food and escaping predators – to their young ones. Nothing superfluous there.
Example: Skilling is better than giving subsidies to the poor. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
198. Corporations have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned.
Protesting against a government or a large organization is unlike protesting against individuals. An organization can use its deep pockets and power to take you on for decades together, and it wouldn’t bother anyone in that organization because individuals there don’t suffer financially or otherwise. In contrast, the protesters suffer individually. That’s why it’s not easy for individuals to slug it out against organizations and governments.
Example: Some countries impose economic sanctions not just against dictatorial regimes and rogue organizations but also against individuals there, which pinches the key orchestrators. The sanctioning countries know very well that corporations have neither bodies to be punished nor souls to be damned.
199. When the last tree is cut down, the last fish is eaten, and the last stream is poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.
A Native American proverb. It’s paramount to save the environment. We’re already seeing the adverse effect, which seems to intensify every year, of untold exploitation of nature.
Example: The government has approved another power project in an ecologically sensitive region. When the last tree is cut down, the last fish is eaten, and the last stream is poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.
200. One law for the rich and another for the poor.
The law is the same for both, but the rich, through their abundant resources, can get favorable decisions by influencing decision-makers, hiring the best lawyers, and delaying the case if it suits them, among several measures at their command.
Example: The hotelier’s son went scot-free in the highly publicized hit-and-run case. After all, there is one law for the rich and another for the poor.
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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