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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.
1. A bad workman always blames his tools.
This proverb is used when someone blames the quality of their equipment or other external factors when they perform a task poorly.
Example: X: The food isn’t cooked well because the oven is not functioning well. Y: Well, it’s the case of a bad workman blaming his tools.
2. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
The certainty of having something in hand is better than the mere probability of having even more things.
Example: X: Why did you turn down that job offer when you don’t have anything concrete in hand at the moment? Y: Well, I’m confident I’ll land one of the two jobs I interviewed for last week. And they’re better than this one. X: In my opinion, you should’ve taken it. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
3. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
When we’re away from loved ones, we long for their company more than in normal times.
Example: When I was with him, he always fought with me, but now he cries for me on phone. I think distance made his heart grow fonder.
4. A cat has nine lives.
A cat can survive seemingly fatal events.
Example: I haven’t seen him in months, but I wouldn’t really worry about him. Everyone knows a cat has nine lives.
5. Action speaks louder than words.
Action is a better reflection of one’s character than words because it’s easy to say things, but difficult to act on them and follow through.
Example: The interviewee had an impressive resume, but he struggled to perform the task given during the interview. Actions speak louder than words, don’t they?
6. A diamond with a flaw is better than a common stone that is perfect.
A rare, precious opportunity that comes with some problems is better than a regular opportunity that seems to be perfect.
Example: I would advise you to work in a market that is growing fast than in a mature market. The former has its own problems, but that’s where you grow fast in your career. A diamond with a flaw is better than a common stone that is perfect.
7. A drowning man will clutch a straw.
When someone is in a difficult situation, s/he will take any available opportunity to come out of it.
Example: After trying all reliable medicines, he is now visiting quacks to get a cure for his baldness. A drowning man will clutch a straw.
8. A fool and his money are soon parted.
Fools lose money because of their foolish conduct.
Example: He shared his credit card details on a phishing call and lost more than $10,000. A fool and his money are indeed parted sooner or later.
9. After the victory, tighten your helmet chord.
There is no room for complacency. Get down to work after a victory. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, calls it Day 0 mentality.
Example: Our Company has won a major deal worth $600 M, but we can’t relax as many more deals are up for grabs, with the competition gnawing at our heels. After the victory, it’s time to tighten our helmet chord.
10. A good listener is a silent flatterer.
Human beings have an innate desire to be listened to, but only a few are good listeners. So, if you listen to someone attentively, you’ll flatter them.
Example: One of the reasons I could build such a network of friends is my ability to listen (more than speak) to people. A good listener is a silent flatterer, after all.
11. A goose quill is more dangerous than a lion’s claw.
Foul, inconsiderate words can cause more pain than a physical attack.
Example: Even when you’re angry, convey your point politely because a goose quill is more dangerous than a lion’s claw.
12. A happy heart is better than a full purse.
What’s the use of money if you’re unhappy despite loads of it? Happiness is better than plenty. A 2010 study at Princeton University points out that happiness increases with money but only till basic needs are met. After that, money matters much less.
Example: My cousin is a multi-millionaire, but he is super-busy and stressed, with little time to spend time with his family. I guess a happy heart is better than a full purse.
13. A jack of all trades is a master of none.
A person with some knowledge of several fields (jack of all trades) can’t be a master in any of them.
Example: You’ve hopped from marketing to sales to business development in your organization. That’s too many. A Jack of all trades is a master of none.
14. A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.
Howsoever big a task is, it starts with a small step.
Example: I’m feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of completing a 4,000-word paper by next week, but I guess I’ll start by writing 500 words every day. After all, a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.
15. A lean agreement is better than a fat lawsuit.
In disputes, it’s better to compromise and get only part of the potential outcome than to contest an expensive lawsuit for years, with no guarantee of the outcome.
Example: We often see two parties, especially companies, arrive at a compromise than contest the case in court. They clearly understand that a lean agreement is better than a fat lawsuit.
16. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.
People can’t change their innate character, especially bad.
Example: X: Do you think he’ll stop copying after being caught and penalized? Y: I don’t think so. A leopard can’t change its spots.
17. All is fair in love and war.
One can break the rules of fair play under extenuating circumstances.
Example: In the face of cutthroat competition, some companies adopt unfair practices. To them, it seems all is fair in love and war.
18. All is well that ends well.
As long as the outcome is good, problems on the way don’t matter.
Example: I’m glad you finally got here, even though your car had a flat tire on the way. All’s well that ends well.
19. All lay loads on a willing horse.
A person who says ‘yes’, even if hesitatingly, to any work given to him will soon find himself overloaded with work.
Example: When I joined the company two years back, I was too polite to say ‘no’ to work people asked me to do, and soon I was buried under work. All lay loads on a willing horse.
20. All that glitters is not gold.
Things that look good outward may not be as valuable or good.
Example: X: I want to be a movie star when I grow up. Y: The film industry looks good from the outside, but it has its own problems. Remember, all that glitters is not gold.
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)
21. Among the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
An incapable person can gain a powerful position if others in the fray are even more incapable.
Example: Despite his obvious lack of exposure and skills, he became head of the department because he is one-eyed among the blind.
22. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Eating an apple a day will keep you healthy.
Example: Switch from chips to apples for your snack because an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
23. An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.
This proverb exemplifies the importance of leadership. A strong army (lions) led by a weak leader (sheep) can lose to a weak army (sheep) led by a strong leader (lion).
Example: The next CEO hasn’t held any leadership position in a large organization. I hope the board doesn’t regret its decision because an army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.
24. An empty vessel makes much noise.
Fools and persons with shallow knowledge often talk a lot.
Example: He has only a superficial understanding of the subject but talked the most in the meeting, without adding any value. The empty vessel makes much noise.
25. An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.
People are generally more productive in the morning: first, they’re fresh after night’s sleep; second, there are fewer distractions in the morning.
Example: I get up at 6:00 AM and get so much work done by the time I leave for the office. I’m a living example of the dictum that an hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.
26. An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.
If you’ve nothing to do, you’ll likely think of mischief.
Example: The kids should be kept busy during the summer break. Otherwise, you know an idle brain is the devil’s workshop.
27. An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.
A little precaution before a crisis is better than a lot of firefighting afterward.
28. A picture is worth a thousand words.
It is easier to explain something through a picture than through words.
Example: It is easier to learn biology through pictures than through reams of text. A picture is worth a thousand words.
29. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
A person who is constantly changing his job and relationships won’t have depth in any of them and would be unfulfilled.
Example: You’re now in your third industry in the last eight years, which doesn’t make you an expert in any of them. Remember, a rolling stone gathers no moss.
30. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what a ship is for.
Get out of your comfort zone to grow and fulfill your potential.
Example: I think your fears are unfounded. You should travel to Italy for the Model UN. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot. Remember, a ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is for.
31. Ask no questions and hear no lies.
Don’t ask questions that people can’t or don’t want to answer. If you ask such questions, you’ll hear only lies.
Example: When I asked my neighbor why he comes early from the office on some days, he, in a wishy-washy tone, said that on such occasions he finishes his work early. Before asking this question, I should have remembered: Ask no questions and hear no lies.
32. A stitch in time saves nine.
It’s better to deal with problems immediately than wait, by when they worsen and become much bigger.
Example: Because we anticipated and responded to the possible change in the Facebook algorithm, the referral traffic to our website dropped much less than what happened to some of our competitors. A stitch in time saves nine.
33. As you sow, so you shall reap.
Your actions – good or bad – determine what you get.
Example: You’re entangled in a few cases of fraud because of your illegal get-rich-quick methods. You should have known as you sow, so you shall reap.
34. A thing begun is half done.
A good beginning makes it easier to accomplish the rest of the project.
Example: He has already taken the first set in the match, and he should win the match from here. Well begun is half done, after all.
35. A tree is known by its fruit.
Like a tree is known by the fruit it bears, people are known by their character and actions (and not by their appearance).
Example: I see that you avoid him just because he isn’t good-looking. Remember, a tree is known by its fruit.
36. Barking dogs seldom bite.
People who appear threatening rarely do harm.
Example: X: I’m really scared to report delays in the project to my temperamental boss. Y: I don’t think you should worry too much about it. Barking dogs seldom bite.
37. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
What may seem beautiful to one person may not seem to another.
Example: You may not like the curves of my new car, but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
38. Beauty is only skin deep.
A person’s character, intellect, and other inner qualities are more important than his/her physical appearance.
Example: The actress behaved so rudely with the driver – beauty is skin deep, after all.
39. Beggars can’t be choosers.
People who depend on the generosity of others can’t pick & choose things as per their liking. They’ve to accept what is given to them.
Example: X: I borrowed this jacket from my friend, but it’s not one of his nice ones. Y: Well, beggars can’t be choosers.
40. Begin to weave and God will give the thread.
When taking up a task that has no playbook to follow, we plan a lot and think a lot but don’t act. In such pursuits, you can’t foresee everything in advance and a lot of assumptions will come to naught. What’s required is action. Plan, but act. Often, new paths open as you move forward.
Example: The path to developing a human colony on Mars is challenging, but people have already started work on it. Hopefully, things will move forward. If you begin to weave, God will give you the thread.
41. Be slow in choosing, but slower in changing.
Choose things or people after diligence, but once you choose, stick for a long.
Example: Don’t be hasty in picking friends, but once you make friends with someone, don’t change him/her fast. You should be slow in choosing, but slower in changing.
42. Best things in life are free.
Most valuable things are often free.
Example: I feel so rejuvenated in the clean air, sparkling water, and beautiful nature of the mountains. Oftentimes, the best things in life are free.
43. Better late than never.
It is better to get something (you desire) late than get it never.
Example: I’m attending graduate school at 35, but I guess it’s better late than never.
44. Better to be poor and healthy than rich and sick.
Health is more important than money.
Example: The pharma tycoon has been in and out of hospital for the past two months because of a kidney ailment. It’s better to be poor and healthy than rich and sick.
45. Birds of a feather flock together.
People with similar natures seek out each other’s company.
Example: You usually hang out with people with backgrounds similar to yours. Birds of a feather flock together, after all.
46. Blood is thicker than water.
Relationships with the family are stronger than other relationships.
Example: My friends invited me for a picnic on Sunday, but I have to go to my cousin’s birthday instead. Blood is thicker than water, isn’t it?
47. Clothes do not make a man.
A person’s character can’t be judged by his/her clothing and outward appearance.
Example: X: I can’t believe he has been charged with insider trading. He always seemed so professional and impeccable. Y: Well, clothes don’t make a man.
48. Cowards die many times before their death.
Cowards suffer the feared effects of death many times in their lives.
Example: X: He is constantly worried about losing his job, and I don’t think he’ll pursue his true interests. Y: He exemplifies the saying ‘cowards die many times before their deaths’.
49. Cross the stream where it is shallowest.
Do things in the easiest possible way.
Example: Let’s cross the stream at its shallowest and start promoting our product on YouTube, where we already have some following.
50. Curiosity killed the cat.
Enquiring in others’ work can be dangerous. One should mind own business.
Example: I know curiosity killed the cat, but I can’t stop investigating until I know where the donations are actually going.
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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