Brazilian Proverbs

“Love is blind, so you have to feel your way.”

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”

“A timely “no” beats a hasty “yes.”"

“Between the beginning and the end there is always a middle.”

“A wise man learns at the fool’s expense.”

“God writes straight even on wavy lines.”

“An old man with a torn sleeve never dishonored anyone.”

“For every ailing foot, there is a slipper.”

“Haste is the mother of imperfection.”

“Never promise a poor person, and never owe a rich one.”

“One who does not look ahead remains behind.”

“Goodwill makes the road shorter.”

“The earth is not thirsty for the blood of the warriors but for the sweat of man’s labor.”

“The trees with most leaves will not necessarily produce juicy fruit.”

“Where blood has been shed the tree of forgiveness cannot grow.”

“He who knows nothing, doubts nothing.”

“You can only take out of a bag what was already in it.”

Azerbaijani Proverbs

“Beauty without virtue is a curse.”

“It’s not shameful not to know, but it’s shameful not to ask.”

“Make sure your blanket covers your feet.”

“One’s own simple bread is much better than someone else’s pilaf.”

“Never mind storms and snows for the sake of a friend.”

“Saying “halva-halva” won’t make your mouth sweet.”

“Until spring comes, nightingales do not sing.”

Mongolian Proverbs

“Greed keeps men forever poor, even the abundance of this world will not make them rich.”

“A cat likes to eat fresh fish but it will not go into the water.”

“It’s difficult to take a wolf cub without bringing in the whole pack.”

“Don’t look for bad things in the good that you do.”

“The winner has many friends, the loser has good friends.”

“Even foul water will quench fire.”

“The distance between heaven and earth is no greater than one thought.”

“He who wants to build high must dig deep.”

“One idiot can ask more questions than ten wise men can answer.”

“A donkey that carries me is worth more than a horse that kicks me.”

“Times are not always the same; the grass is not always green.”

“Once you have locked your door you are the emperor in your own domain.”

“Don’t undo your bootlaces until you have seen the river.”

“You can’t put two saddles on the same horse.”

“There are men who walk through the woods and see no trees.”

“A tiger wearing a bell will starve.”

Bulgarian Proverbs

“The wolf changes only his coat — not his character.”

“A gentle word opens an iron gate.”

“From the promise to the deed is a day’s journey.”

“A crow will never be a dove.”

“Grapes do not grow in a willow tree.”

“Every frog has his own pond.”

“A lion lurks in everyone’s heart; awake him not.”

“He who breaks his word shall through his word be broken.”

“A lion lurks in everyone’s heart; awake him not.”

“Life is a ladder – some will climb up it, others down.”

“No hero without a wound.”

“From walking, something; from sitting, nothing.”

“A fortress surrenders from within.”

“The village feeds the town.”

“He who has been at the mill has flour on his hat.”

“The neighbor’s chicken is a duck.”

“A song belongs to no one.”

“Ravens do not peck each other’s eyes out.”

“If you would live long, open your heart.”

“A word about to be spoken is like a stone that is ready to be thrown.”

“The fox falls into the trap only once.”

“If you cannot serve, you cannot rule.”

“New day — new destiny.”

“If you let everyone walk over you, you become a carpet.”

“If you want apples, you have to shake the trees.”

“An axe without a shaft is no threat to the forest.”

“Only other people’s eggs are double-yolked.”

“If you call one wolf, you invite the pack.”

Tibetan Proverbs

“By pride one causes virtue to decline.”

“Goodness speaks in a whisper, evil shouts.”

“A lie is like a jump from a high roof.”

“No matter if you eat a little or a lot of garlic, the smell is just as strong.”

“The moon grows darker as it gets nearer to the sun.”

“Thieves never steal bells.”

“Master and servant — both have the same body odor.”

“The wish is father to the thought.”

“The wise understand by themselves, fools follow the reports of others.”

“To set fire to the wood, you need the help of the wind.”

“The person who gets stuck on petty happiness will not attain great happiness.”

“If you want to know your future, look at what you are doing in this moment.”

“Who can say with certainty that one will live to see the morrow?”

“Words are mere bubbles of water; deeds are drops of gold.”

“Excellent people are honored wherever they go.”

“Eat according to the limits of your provisions; walk according to the length of your step.”

German Proverbs

“A penny saved is a penny gained.”

“All’s well that ends well.”

“A word is enough to the wise.”

“Children and fools speak the truth.”

“Curiosity killed the cat.”

“Forgive and forget.”

“Better ask twice than go wrong once.”

“A small gift is better than a great promise.”

“Forgive thyself nothing and others much.”

“Love cannot be bought or sold, its only price is love.”

“No tree falls at the first stroke.”

“Charity looks at the need and not at the cause.”

“One bad apple spoils the bunch.”

“One hand washes the other.”

“Out of sight out of mind.”

“Pearls of wisdom.”

“Practice makes perfect.”

“Proverbs are like butterflies, some are caught and some fly away.”

“Speak little, speak truth. Spend little, pay cash.”

“The sweetest grapes hang highest.”

“Time is the best counsellor.”

“A proverb never lies, it is only its meaning which deceives.”

Italian Proverbs

“All’s well that ends well.”

“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”

“A closed mouth catches no flies.”

“A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.”

“A forced kindness deserves no thanks.”

“‘They say so’, is half a lie.”

“A happy heart is better than a full purse.”

“A friend is not known till he is lost.”

“A blind man is not judge of colours.”

“A gold key opens every door.”

“A crown is no cure for the headache.”

“A golden cage does not feed the bird.”

“”Yes” and “no” govern the world.”

“All are brave when the enemy flies.”

“A fool throws a stone into a well, and it requires a hundred wise men to get it out again.”

“Among men of honour a word is a bond.”

“A burden that one chooses is not felt.”

“Better to ask than go astray.”

“A golden bit makes none the better horse.”

“Different times different manners.”

“Every rose has its thorn.”

“A gift with a kind countenance is a double present.”

“Do good, and care not to whom.”

“A dead man does not make war.”

“Every day has its night.”

“A fool can ask more questions than seven wise men can answer.”

“A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.”

“Every promise is a debt.”

“A favor to come is better than a hundred received.”

“Friends in need are friends indeed.”

“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”

“Everybody’s friend, nobody’s friend.”

Portuguese Proverbs

“A word to the wise.”

“Eat to live, not live to eat.”

“Deeds are love, and not sweet words.”

“Every one reaps as he sows.”

“A fair-weather friend changes with the wind.”

“Like father, like son.”

“Love has no law.”

“Misery loves company.”

“One fool makes a hundred.”

“Tell me with whom thou goest, and I’ll tell thee what thou doest.”

“A word and a stone once let go cannot be recalled.”

“Spilt salt is never well collected.”

“Walls have ears.”

“Another’s bread costs dear.”

“Water washes everything.”

“Lovers’ quarrels are love redoubled.”

“Truth and oil come to the surface.”

“Better anticipate than be anticipated.”

“Every one is wise for his own profit.”

“Times passes like the wind.”

“Fair flowers do not remain long by the wayside.”

“Honour a good man that he may honour you, and a bad man that he may not dishonour you.”

“Even the most beautiful sheets have small flaws.”

“The sooner begun, the sooner done.”

“Third time is the charm.”

“If you laugh to-day, you will cry to-morrow.”

“Everybody’s friend or nobody’s friend, is all one.”

“Fine words don’t fill the belly.”

“Jack of all trades and master of none.”

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