Proverbs
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ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER
The longer we are away from someone or something that we care about, the more fond we become of them.

ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS
People are more impressed by actions than by words.

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL
This was the motto of the Three Musketeers, as they were all supportive of each other and pledged as one to their group and cause.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME
In the days of Rome this was very true, as the empire's roads all led to and from the capital city of Rome.

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD
Don't be fooled by appearance. Although some things might appear to be valuable, they might actually be quite worthless.

AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY
Apples are good for us.

BAD NEWS TRAVELS FAST
Especially via the mouths of gossips who delight in talking about other people's misfortunes.

BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP
Beauty is superficial. It's what's inside us that really counts.

BEGGARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS
Those who rely on others cannot dictate what other people should give to them.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.
It is better to do something late than to never do it at all.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER
People are attracted to others who are like themselves. But it is also said that opposites attract.

BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER
Even though blood relatives may argue and fight terribly, in the end family loyalty is still there and hard feelings become "water under the bridge."

CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS
Cleanliness is a great virtue.

DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOR
One seldom succeeds by acting rashly. Success - and therefore valor - is more often achieved by using discretion.

DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU
Treat others as you would have them treat you.

DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP
Do not surrender.

EARLY TO BED AND EARLY TO RISE MAKES A MAN HEALTHY, WEALTHY, AND WISE
The words of Ben Franklin in Poor Richard's Almanack.

EAST IS EAST, AND WEST IS WEST, AND NEVER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET
These words come from "The Ballad of East and West," by Rudyard Kipling, and speak of the differences between the cultures of the east and west.

EASY COME, EASY GO
Things obtained easily can just as easily be lost.

FEED A COLD, STARVE A FEVER
It is said that eating will help to cure a cold, while not eating will help to cure a fever.

FINDERS KEEPERS, LOSERS WEEPERS
A very unethical proverb coined by a gold-digging opportunist who, quite understandably, has chosen to remain anonymous. Very simply, it means that if you find something you have the right to keep it, and the poor soul who lost the item has no right to it anymore.

FOOLS RUSH IN WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD
From "An Essay on Criticism" by Alexander Pope, this proverb means that foolish people often act rashly, as opposed to wiser people who use discretion.

FRAILTY, THY NAME IS WOMAN!
From Hamlet by William Shakespeare, this proverb simply means that women are weaker than men.

GENIUS IS ONE PERCENT INSPIRATION AND NINETY-NINE PERCENT PERSPIRATION
Coined by Thomas Edison.  An idea may come in a flash, but turning that idea into a reality requires a lot of hard work.

HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
What is present now may be gone in the very near future.

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN
Don't give up. Keep trying.

IGNORANCE IS BLISS
The truth often hurts. It is sometimes better or less painful not to know something.

LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE
If it isn't broke, don't fix it. Or, to try to improve something that is already good, may result in a downgrade.

LITTLE PITCHERS HAVE BIG EARS
Be careful what you say in front of your children.

LIVE AND LEARN
Experience is the best teacher.

MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES
Take advantage of a good opportunity while it lasts.

MISERY LOVES COMPANY
Unhappy people are a comfort to other unhappy people.

NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION
Ever notice how creative you become when a problem arises? Especially a problem that causes discomfort and is likely to last a while.

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS
If nothing bad has happened, that's good news!

OIL AND WATER DON'T MIX
Some personalities just aren't compatible.

ONE ROTTEN APPLE SPOILS THE BARREL
Just as one rotten piece of fruit can spoil a whole barrel of fruit, the influence of one bad individual can have a negative affect on a whole group of individuals.

ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY
Have patience. The creation of something great takes time.

SPARE THE ROD AND SPOIL THE CHILD
A child will become spoiled if not taught discipline.

THOSE WHO CANNOT REMEMBER THE PAST ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT IT
Learn from history to prevent repeating the errors of our ancestors.

TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT
One misdeed cannot be undone by another.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
New experiences make life more enjoyable.

WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO
When in a foreign land, follow the customs of the natives.

YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER, BUT YOU CANNOT MAKE IT DRINK
You can give someone advice, but you cannot make them use it.

Click Here for Japanese Buddhist Proverbs