Kitabı oku: «A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs»

PREFACE

While engaged in editing my Handbook of English Proverbs, it occurred to me that a Collection of Foreign Proverbs, arranged in monographs, and brought as far as possible into juxta-position by a General Index, would be an interesting volume, as well to the ordinary reader as to the linguist. And it happened that more than one public writer, in reviewing my Handbook, suggested nearly the same idea, which determined me to realise it as speedily as other engagements would permit.

After a lapse of more than two years, and much patient labour, during intervals of business or hours snatched from repose, I am enabled to present my gleanings to the public, and hope they will not be found deficient of grain.

It will be seen that many of the proverbs are quite new to the English reader, and that others, hitherto supposed to be essentially, if not exclusively, English, are common to several other languages.

A task so various and complicated could not well be executed without aid, nor do I pretend to be master of all the languages included. Accordingly, I sought the assistance of competent scholars, and have great pleasure in here proclaiming my acknowledgments to them. After the groundwork of the volume had been laid by selections from a great variety of sources, an operation in which Mr. W. K. Kelly was my principal collaborateur, I was aided in correcting the Italian by Signor Pistrucci, the Spanish by Señor Yrazoqui and the Chevalier Francisque Michel, the Portuguese by Senhôr Guerra, the Danish by Miss Rowan, and the Dutch by Mr. John van Baalen, of Rotterdam. It seemed to me advisable, to secure all possible accuracy, that each foreign language should be read over by a native of the country.

For the English translations (excepting those from the Danish) I am myself mainly responsible, as, where those already existing did not satisfy me, I generally substituted others. I have, however, been very forbearing towards some pleasant bits of doggerel and alliteration found in early volumes, and have occasionally indulged in similar playfulness of my own. One so deeply immersed in Proverb-lore may, perhaps, be forgiven for having imbibed such a tendency.

In the Index, a single line is often made to represent a whole group, although the several translations may not be exactly the same. That adopted as the key, being the last thought, ought to be the best. The running lines at the top indicate the pages of each of the several languages, so that by a comparison of them with the figures of reference below, it will be easy to see what monograph a proverb belongs to, without actually turning to the page.

HENRY G. BOHN.

August 30, 1857.

FRENCH PROVERBS

A

A barbe de fol apprend-on à raire. On a fool’s beard the barber learns to shave.

A beau demandeur, beau refuseur. Handsomely asked, handsomely refused.

A beau jeu beau retour. One good turn deserves another.

A beau mentir qui vient de loin. He may lie boldly who comes from afar.

A bon appétit il ne faut point de sauce. Hunger is the best sauce.

A bon chat bon rat. To a good cat a good rat.

A bon cheval point d’éperon. Spur not a willing horse.

A bon chien il ne vient jamais un bon os. A good dog never gets a good bone.

Abondance de biens ne nuit pas. Store is no sore.

A bon entendeur demi-mot. A word to the wise.

A bon pêcheur échappe anguille. An eel escapes from a good fisherman.

A bon vin point d’enseigne. Good wine needs no sign.

A brebis tondue Dieu mesure le vent. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.

Absent le chat, les souris dansent. When the cat’s away the mice will play.

Absent n’est point sans coulpe ni présent sans excuse. Absent, none without blame; present, none without excuse.

A carême-prenant chacun a besoin de sa poële. At shrove-tide every one has need of his frying-pan.

A celui qui a son pâté au four on peut donner de son gâteau. To one who has a pie in the oven you may give a bit of your cake.

A chacun son fardeau pèse. Every one feels his own burden heavy.

A chair de loup sauce de chien. For wolf’s flesh dog sauce.

A chaque fou plaît sa marotte. Every fool likes his bauble.

A chaque jour suffit sa peine. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.

A chaque saint son cierge. To every saint his candle.

A chemin battu ne croît point d’herbe. No grass grows on a beaten road.

Acheter chat en poche. To buy a cat in a poke.

A cheval donné, il ne faut point regarder à la bouche. Look not a gift horse in the mouth.

A chose faite conseil pris. When a thing is done advice comes too late.

A confesseurs, médecins, avocats, la vérité ne cèle de ton cas. From confessors, doctors, and lawyers, do not conceal the truth of your case.

Adieu paniers, vendanges sont faites. Farewell baskets, the vintage is ended.

A dur âne dur aiguillon. For a stubborn ass a hard goad.

A femme avare galant escroc. A covetous woman deserves a swindling gallant.

A force de mal aller tout ira bien. By dint of going wrong all will come right.

A fripon fripon et demi. To a rogue a rogue and a half.

A goupil endormi rien ne lui chet en gueule. Nothing falls into the mouth of a sleeping fox.

A homme hardi fortune tend la main. To a bold man fortune holds out her hand.

Aide-toi, le ciel t’aidera. Help thyself and heaven will help thee.

Aime-moi un peu, mais continue. Love me a little, but love me long.

Aimer et savoir n’ont même manière. To love and to be wise are two different things.

Ainsi dit le renard des mûres, quand il n’en peut avoir: elles ne sont point bonnes. The fox says of the mulberries when he cannot get at them: they are not good at all.

Aisé à dire est difficile à faire. Easy to say is hard to do.

A la chandelle la chèvre semble demoiselle. By candle-light a goat looks like a lady.

A la fin saura-t-on qui a mangé le lard. In the end it will be known who ate the bacon.

A la guerre comme à la guerre. At the wars as they do at the wars.

A l’amour et au feu on s’habitue. One grows used to love and to fire.

A la presse vont les fous. Fools go in throngs.

A la queue gît le venin. In the tail lies the venom.

A l’aventure on met les ”oe]ufs couver. Eggs are put to hatch on chance.

A laver la tête d’un âne on ne perd que le temps et la lessive. To wash an ass’s head is but loss of time and soap. (To reprove a fool is but lost labour.)

A l’impossible nul n’est tenu. No one is bound to do impossibilities.

Aller aux mûres sans crochet. To go mulberry-gathering without a crook.

Aller en vendanges sans panier. To go to the vintage without baskets.

A l’”oe]il malade la lumière nuit. Light is bad for sore eyes.

A l’”oe]uvre on connaît l’ouvrier. The workman is known by his work.

A l’ongle on connaît le lion. You may know the lion by his claw.

A longue corde tire qui d’autrui mort désire. He pulls at a long rope who desires another’s death.

A mal enfourner on fait les pains cornus. Loaves put awry into the oven come out crooked.

A mal pasteur le loup chie laine. An easy shepherd makes the wolf void wool.

A marmite qui bout mouche ne s’attaque. Flies will not light on a boiling pot.

A mauvais chien l’on ne peut montrer le loup. There’s no showing the wolf to a bad dog.

A méchant chien court lien. A vicious dog must be tied short.

A merle soûl cerises sont amères. Cherries are bitter to the glutted blackbird.

Ami de table est variable. A table friend is changeable.

A morceau restif éperon de vin. A restive morsel needs a spur of wine.

Amour de grands, ombre de buisson qui passe bientôt. The friendship of great men is like the shadow of a bush, soon gone.

Amour et seigneurie ne veulent point de compagnie. Love and lordship like no fellowship.

Amour fait moult, argent fait tout. Love does much, money everything.

Amour soumet tout hormis c”oe]ur de félon. Love subdues everything except the recreant’s heart.

Amour, toux, fumée, et argent, ne se peuvent cacher longuement. Love, a cough, smoke, and money, cannot long be hid.

Amour, toux, et fumée, en secret ne font demeurée. Love, a cough, and smoke will not remain secret.

Ane piqué convient qu’il trotte. A goaded ass must trot.

A nouveaux seigneurs nouvelles lois. New lords, new laws.

A nul ne peut être ami qui de soi-même est ennemi. He cannot be a friend to any one who is his own enemy.

A paroles lourdes oreilles sourdes. To rude words deaf ears.

A père avare enfant prodigue. A miserly father makes a prodigal son.

A petite achoison le loup prend le mouton. Upon a slight pretext the wolf takes the sheep.

A petite fontaine boit-on à son aise. At a little fountain one drinks at one’s ease.

A petit mercier, petit panier. A little pack serves a little pedlar.

Après bon vin bon cheval. Good wine makes the horse go.

Après dommage chacun est sage. After mischance every one is wise.

Après la fête on gratte la tête. After a feast a man scratches his head.

Après la pluie le beau temps. After rain fine weather.

Après la mort le médecin. After death the doctor.

Après le fait ne vaut souhait. After the act wishing is in vain.

Après moi le déluge. After me the deluge.

Après perdre perd-on bien. After one loss come many.

Après raire n’y a plus que tondre. After shaving there’s nothing to shear.

A quelque chose malheur est bon. Ill-luck is good for something.

A qui il meschet on lui meffaict. Where misfortune befals injuries follow.

A qui vendez-vous vos coquilles? A ceux qui viennent de Saint Michel. To whom do you offer your shells for sale? To people who come from Saint Michel (where shells abound).

A qui veut rien n’est impossible. Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.

A raconter ses maux souvent on les soulage. By telling our woes we often assuage them.

Argent ard gent. Money burns many.

Argent comptant porte médecine. Ready money works great cures.

Argent emprunté porte tristesse. Money borrowed is soon sorrowed.

Argent est rond, il faut qu’il roule. Money is round, it must roll.

Argent reçu, le bras rompu. The money paid, the workman’s arm is broken.

A Rome comme à Rome. At Rome do as Rome does.

A rude âne rude ânier. For a stubborn ass a stubborn driver.

Assez a qui se contente. He has enough who is content.

Assez demande qui bien sert. Who serves well asks enough.

Assez dort qui rien ne fait. He slumbers enough who does nothing.

Assez écorche qui le pied tient. He flays enough who holds the foot.

Assez gagne qui malheur perd. He gains enough who loses sorrow.

Assez n’y a si trop n’y a. There’s not enough if there’s not too much.

Assez parents, assez tourments. Much kindred, much trouble.

Assez sait qui sait vivre et se taire. He knows enough who knows how to live and keep his own counsel.

Assez tôt se fait ce qui bien se fait. That is done soon enough which is well done.

Assez tôt si assez bien. Soon enough if well enough.

A tard crie l’oiseau quand il est pris. Too late the bird cries out when it is caught.

A toile ourdie Dieu envoie le fil. For a web begun God sends thread.

A tout il y a commencement. Everything must have a beginning.

A tout oiseau son nid est beau. To every bird its nest seems fair.

A tout seigneur tout honneur. To every lord every honour.

A trop acheter n’y a que revendre. For overbuying there’s no help but selling again.

Au battre faut l’amour. By beating love decays.

Au besoin l’on connaît l’ami. A friend is known in time of need.

Au dernier les os. For the last-comer the bones.

Au diable tant de maîtres, dit le crapaud à la herse. To the devil with so many masters, said the toad to the harrow.

Aujourd’hui marié, demain marri. Married to-day, marred to-morrow.

Au long aller petit fardeau pèse. Light burdens borne far become heavy.

Au nouveau tout est beau. What is new is always fine.

Au pays des aveugles les borgnes sont rois. The one-eyed are kings in the land of the blind.

Au petit pourceau Dieu donne bonne racine. God puts a good root in the little pig’s way.

A un pauvre homme sa vache meurt et au riche son enfant. Death takes the poor man’s cow and the rich man’s child.

Au plus débile la chandelle à la main. The weakest must hold the candle.

Au premier coup ne chet pas l’arbre. The tree does not fall at the first stroke.

Au prêter ange, au rendre diable. In borrowing an angel, in repaying a devil.

Au prêter cousin germain, au rendre fils de putain. At borrowing cousin german, at repaying son of a whore.

Aussi tôt meurt veau que vache. As soon dies the calf as the cow.

Autant chemine un homme en un jour qu’un limaçon en cent ans. A man travels as far in a day as a snail in a hundred years.

Autant dépend chiche que large, et à la fin plus davantage. The niggard spends as much as he who is liberal, and in the end more.

Autant de têtes, autant d’avis. So many men, so many minds.

Autant de trous, autant de chevilles. A peg for every hole.

Autant pèche celui qui tient le sac que celui qui met dedans. He sins as much who holds the bag as he who puts into it.

Autant vaut bien battre que mal battre. You may as well give a good beating as a bad one.

Autant vaut bien battu que mal battu. One may as well be well beaten as badly beaten.

Autant vaut être mordu d’un chien que d’une chienne. It is all one whether you are bit by a dog or a bitch.

Autant vaut l’homme comme il s’estime. A man is valued according to his own estimate of himself.

Autre temps, autres m”oe]urs. Other times, other manners.

Aux grands maux les grands remèdes. Desperate ills require desperate remedies.

A vaillant homme courte épée. A short sword for a brave man.

Avec du temps et de la paille les nèfles mûrissent. With time and straw medlars ripen.

Avec un Si on mettrait Paris dans une bouteille. With the help of an If you might put Paris into a bottle.

A vieille mule frein doré. A gilt bridle for an old mule.

A vieux comptes nouvelles disputes. Old reckonings breed new disputes.

Avoir des amis en paradis et en enfer. To have friends both in heaven and hell.

B

Bâton porte paix. A stick is a peacemaker.

Battre le chien devant le lion. To beat the dog in presence of the lion.

Beaucoup de mémoire et peu de jugement. Much memory and little judgment.

Beauté et folie sont souvent en compagnie. Beauty and folly are often companions.

Belle, bonne, riche, et sage, est une femme en quatre étages. Fair, good, rich, and wise, is a woman four stories high.

Belle chose est tôt ravie. Fair things are soon snatched away.

Belle fille et méchante robe trouvent toujours qui les accroche. A fine girl and a tattered gown always find something to hook them.

Belle hôtesse c’est un mal pour la bourse. A handsome hostess is bad for the purse.

Belle promesse fol lie. A fair promise binds a fool.

Besoin fait vieille trotter. Need makes the old woman trot.

Bien embarrassé celui qui tient la queue de la poële. He has enough to do who holds the handle of the frying-pan.

Bien dire fait rire; bien faire fait taire. Saying well causes a laugh; doing well produces silence.

Bien est larron qui larron dérobe. He is a thief indeed who robs a thief.

Bien nourri et mal appris. Well fed but ill taught.

Bien vient à mieux, et mieux à mal. Good comes to better, and better to bad.

Boire et manger, coucher ensemble, c’est mariage, ce me semble. To eat and drink, and sleep together, is marriage, methinks.

Bon avocat, mauvais voisin. A good lawyer is a bad neighbour.

Bon charretier tourne en petit lieu. A good driver turns in a small space.

Bon chien chasse de race. A good dog hunts by instinct.

Bon droit a besoin d’aide. A good cause needs help.

Bon fait voler bas à cause des branches. It is well to fly low on account of the branches.

Bon gaignage fait bon potage. Fat pastures make fat venison.

Bon guet chasse malaventure. Good watching drives away ill-luck.

Bon jour bonne ”oe]uvre. The better day the better deed.

Bonjour lunettes, adieu fillettes. Good morrow spectacles, farewell lasses.

Bon nageur de n’être noyé n’est pas sûr. A good swimmer is not safe against drowning.

Bonne bête s’échauffe en mangeant. A good beast heats with eating.

Bonne epée, point querelleur. A good swordsman is never quarrelsome.

Bonne est la maille qui sauve le denier. ’Tis a good farthing that saves a penny.

Bonne journée fait qui de fol se délivre. He does a good day’s work who rids himself of a fool.

Bonne renommée vaut mieux que ceinture dorée. Good repute is better than a golden belt.

Bon sang ne peut mentir. Good blood will never lie.

Bons mots n’épargnent nuls. Witticisms spare no one.

Bons nageurs sont à la fin noyés. Good swimmers are drowned at last.

Bouche serrée, mouche n’y entre. No flies get into a shut mouth.

Bourdes vrayes ne plaisent jamais. True jokes never please.

Brebis comptées, le loup les mange. Counted sheep are eaten by the wolf.

Brebis qui bêle perd sa goulée. The sheep that bleats loses its mouthful.

Brebis trop apprivoisée de trop d’agneaux est tettée. The sheep that is too tame is sucked by too many lambs.

Bûche tortue fait bon feu. A crooked log makes a good fire.

C

Calomniez, calomniez: il en reste toujours quelque chose. Slander! slander! some of it always sticks.

Cela fait venir de l’eau au moulin. That brings water to the mill.

Celui à bon gage du chat qui en tient la peau. He has a good pledge of the cat who has her skin.

Celui est homme de bien qui est homme de biens. A good man is a man of goods.

Celui gouverne bien mal le miel qui n’en taste et ses doigts n’en lèche. He is a very bad manager of honey who leaves nothing to lick off his fingers.

Celui peut hardiment nager à qui l’on soutient le menton. He may swim boldly who is held up by the chin.

Celui qui est adonné aux dez, le diable le tire par le nez. The devil leads him by the nose who the dice too often throws.

Celui qui est sur les épaules d’un géant voit plus loin que celui qui le porte. He who rides on the giant’s shoulders sees further than he who carries him.

Celui qui tient la queue de la poële risque de se brûler. He that holds the handle of the frying-pan runs the risk of burning himself.

Ce ne sont pas les plus belles qui font les grandes passions. It is not the greatest beauties that inspire the most profound passion.

Ce n’est pas tout que des choux, il faut encore de la graisse. It is not enough to have cabbage, one must have something to grease it.

Ce n’est rien, c’est une femme qui se noye. It is nothing at all, only a woman drowning.

Cent ans bannière, cent ans civière. A hundred years a banner, a hundred years a barrow. ”A very old proverb, signifying the changeful fortunes of great feudal families.]

Cent ans de chagrin ne payent pas un sou de dettes. A hundred years of fretting will not pay a halfpenny of debt.

Cent ans n’est guère, mais jamais c’est beaucoup. A hundred years is not much, but never is a long while.

Cependant le bonhomme n’a pas son sac. But for all that the honest man has not got his purse.

Ce que fait la louve plaît au loup. What the she-wolf does (or brings forth) pleases the he-wolf.

Ce que femme veut Dieu le veut. What a woman wills God wills.

Ce que le gantelet gagne le gorgeret le mange. What the gauntlet wins the gorget consumes.

Ce que l’enfant oit au foyer est bientôt connu jusqu’au moustier. What the child hears at the fireside is soon known at the parish church.

Ce que le sobre tient au c”oe]ur est sur la langue du buveur. What the sober man keeps in his heart is on the tongue of the drunkard.

Ce que moine pense, il ose le faire. What a monk thinks he dares to do.

Ce qu’”oe]il ne voit, au c”oe]ur ne deult. What the eye sees not the heart rues not.

Ce que poulain prend en jeunesse il le continue en vieillesse. What the colt learns in youth he continues in old age.

Ce qui est différé n’est pas perdu. All is not lost that is delayed.

Ce qui nuit à l’un duit à l’autre. What is bad for one is good for another.

Ce qui suffit ne fut jamais peu. What is enough was never little.

Ce qui vient de la flûte s’en retourne au tambour. What comes from the fife goes back to the drum. (Lightly come, lightly go; or, what is got over the devil’s back is spent under his belly.)

Ce qu’on apprend au berceau dure jusqu’au tombeau. What is learned in the cradle lasts till the grave.

Ce sont les pires bourdes que les vraies. The worst jests are those that are true.

C’est folie de béer contre un four. It is folly to gape against an oven.

C’est folie de faire son médecin son héritier. He is a fool who makes his physician his heir.

C’est folie de faire un maillet de son poing. He is a fool who makes a mallet of his fist.

C’est la cour du roi Petaud, chacun y est maître. Like King Petaud’s court, where every one is master.

C’est la maîtresse-roue qui fait tourner le moulin. It is the master-wheel that makes the mill go round.

C’est le chien de Jean de Nivelle, il s’enfuit quand on l’appelle. He is like Jean de Nivelle’s dog, that runs away when he is called.

C’est le ton qui fait la musique. It is the tone that makes the music.

C’est le valet du diable, il fait plus qu’on ne lui commande. He is the devil’s valet, he does more than he is ordered.

C’est partout comme chez nous. ’Tis everywhere the same as here.

C’est peu que de courir, il faut partir à point. It is not enough to run; one must start in time.

C’est quand l’enfant est baptisé qu’il arrive des parrains. When the child is christened you will have godfathers enough.

C’est toujours la plus mauvaise roue qui crie. The worst wheel always creaks most.

C’est trop aimer quand on en meurt. It is loving too much to die of love.

C’est un cheval à quatre pieds blancs. He is a horse with four white feet (i.e., he is unlucky).

C’est un long jour qu’un jour sans pain. ’Tis a long day a day without bread.

Chacun à son goût. Every man to his taste.

Chacun a un fou dans sa manche. Every one has a fool in his sleeve.

Chacun chien qui aboye ne mord pas. Not every dog that barks bites.

Chacun dit: J’ai bon droit. Every one says: My right is good.

Chacun doit balayer devant sa porte. Every one should sweep before his own door.

Chacun le sien, ce n’est pas trop. Every one his own, is but fair.

Chacun n’est pas aise qui danse. Not every one that dances is glad.

Chacun porte sa croix. Every one bears his cross.

Chacun pour soi et Dieu pour tous. Every one for himself and God for all.

Chacun prêche pour son saint. Every one preaches for his own saint.

Chacun prend son plaisir où il le trouve. Every one takes his pleasure where he finds it.

Chacun se fait fouetter à sa guise. Every one takes his flogging in his own way.

Chacun sent le mieux où le soulier le blesse. Every one knows best where the shoe pinches him.

Chacun son métier, et les vaches seront bien gardées. Let every one mind his own business, and the cows will be well tended.

Chacun tire l’eau à son moulin. Every one draws the water to his own mill.

Chacun vaut son prix. Every man has his value.

Changer son cheval borgne contre un aveugle. To exchange a one-eyed horse for a blind one.

Chaque demain apporte son pain. Every to-morrow brings its bread.

Chaque potier vante son pot. Every potter vaunts his own pot.

Chaque médaille a son revers. Every medal has its reverse.

Charbonnier est maître chez soi. The coalheaver is master at home.

Charité bien ordonnée commence par soi-même. Well-regulated charity begins with one’s self.

Château abattu est moitié refait. A mansion pulled down is half built up again.

Chat échaudé craint l’eau froide. A scalded cat dreads cold water.

Chercher midi à quatorze heures. To look for noon at fourteen o’clock.

Chercher une aiguille dans une botte de foin. To look for a needle in a bundle of hay.

Cherté foisonne. Dearness gluts.

Cheval rogneux n’a cure qu’on l’étrille. A galled horse does not care to be curried.

Chien affamé, de bastonnade n’est intimidé. A hungry dog is not afraid of a cudgelling.

Chien enragé ne peut longuement vivre. A mad dog cannot live long.

Chien hargneux a toujours l’oreille déchirée. Snarling curs never want sore ears.

Chien qui aboie ne mord pas. Barking dogs don’t bite.

Chien sur son fumier est hardi. Every dog is valiant in his own kennel.

Chose perdue, chose connue. A thing lost is a thing known.

Choses promises sont choses dues. Things promised are things due.

Chose trop vue n’est chère tenue. A thing too much seen is little prized.

Chou pour chou. Cabbage for cabbage.

Comme on fait son lit on se couche. As you make your bed so you must lie on it.

Communautés commencent par bâtir leur cuisine. Communities begin by building their kitchen.

Compagnon bien parlant vaut en chemin chariot branlant. A pleasant companion on a journey is as good as a postchaise.

Comparaison n’est pas raison. Comparison is not proof.

Comparaisons sont odieuses. Comparisons are odious.

Contre coignée serrure ne peut. No lock avails against a hatchet.

Couard souvent coup mortel au preux donne. A coward often deals a mortal blow to the brave.

Coudre la peau du renard à celle du lion. To sew the fox’s skin to the lion’s.

Courte messe et long dîner. A short mass and a long dinner.

Courtoisie qui ne vient que d’un côté ne peut longuement durer. Courtesy that is all on one side cannot last long.

Craignez la colère de la colombe. Dread the anger of the dove.

Crier famine sur un tas de bled. To cry famine on a heap of corn.

Croyez cela et buvez de l’eau. Believe that, and drink some water (to wash it down.)

D

Dans la nuit tous chats sont gris. All cats are alike grey at night.

Débander l’arc ne guérit pas la plaie. Unstringing the bow does not cure the wound.

De court plaisir long repentir. From short pleasure long repentance.

Découvrir saint Pierre pour couvrir saint Paul. To strip St. Peter to clothe St. Paul.

De demain à demain le temps s’en va bien loin. From to-morrow till to-morrow time goes a long journey.

De deux maux il faut choisir le moindre. Of two evils choose the least.

De deux regardeurs il y en a toujours un qui devient joueur. Of two lookers on one is sure to become a player.

De fol juge brève sentence. A foolish judge passes brief sentence. (A fool’s bolt is soon shot.)

De forte coûture forte déchirure. The stronger the seam the worse the rent.

De grande montée, grande chute. The higher the rise the greater the fall.

De gerbe remuée chet le grain. The corn falls out of a shaken sheaf.

De jeune angelot vieux diable. A young angel, an old devil.

De la main à la bouche se perd souvent la soupe. Between the hand and the mouth the soup is often spilt. (’Twixt the cup and the lip there’s many a slip.)

De la panse vient la danse. A full belly sets a man jigging.

De maigre poil âpre morsure. A gaunt brute bites sore.

Demander de la laine à un âne. To ask wool of an ass.

Demandez-le à mon compagnon, qui est aussi menteur que moi. Ask my comrade, who is as great a liar as myself.

Deniers avancent les bediers. Money advances meacocks.

De oui et non vient toute question. Out of yes and no comes all dispute.

Dépends le pendard et il te pendra. Take down a rogue from the gallows and he will hang you up.

De peu de drap courte cape. Of little cloth but a short cloak.

De qui je me fie Dieu me garde. God save me from those I trust in.

Derrière la croix souvent se tient le diable. The devil often lurks behind the cross.

De toute taille bon chien. There are good dogs of all sizes.

De tout s’avise à qui pain faut. A man who wants bread is ready for anything.

Deux hommes se rencontrent bien, mais jamais deux montagnes. Two men may meet, but never two mountains.

Deux moineaux sur même épi ne sont pas long-temps unis. Two sparrows on the same ear of corn are not long friends.

Dieu aide à trois sortes de personnes: aux fous, aux enfants, et aux ivrognes. God helps three sorts of people: fools, children, and drunkards.

Dieu donne le froid selon le drap. God gives the cold according to the cloth.

Dieu garde la lune des loups. God saves the moon from the wolves.

Dieu sait qui est bon pélerin. God knows who is a good pilgrim.

Dieu seul devine les sots. God alone understands fools.

Dieu vous garde d’un homme qui n’a qu’une affaire. God save you from a man who has but one business.

Dis-moi qui tu hantes, je te dirai qui tu es. Tell me the company you keep, and I will tell you who you are.

Dites toujours fanfare, vous ne mourrez jamais. Always talk big and you will never be forgotten.

Dites toujours nenni, vous ne serez jamais mariée. Always say no, and you will never be married.

D’oiseaux, de chiens, d’armes, d’amours, pour un plaisir mille doulours. In hawks, hounds, arms, and love, for one pleasure a thousand pains.

Donner de l’eau bénite de cour. To give court holy-water.

Donner une chandelle à Dieu et une au diable. To offer one candle to God and another to the devil.

Donner un ”oe]uf pour avoir un b”oe]uf. To give an egg to get an ox.

Dormir une heure avant minuit vaut mieux que trois après. One hour’s sleep before midnight is better than three after it.

Douce parole n’écorche pas langue. Soft words don’t scotch the tongue.

Du cuir d’un vieux mari on en achète un jeune. With an old husband’s hide one buys a young one.

Du dire au fait il y a grand trait. ’Twixt the word and the deed there’s a long step.

Du larron privé on ne peut se garder. There’s no guarding against the privy thief.

D’une vache perdue c’est quelque chose de recouvrer la queue, ne fût-ce que pour faire un tirouer à son huis. When a cow is lost it is something to recover its tail, were it only to make a handle for one’s door.

D’un sac à charbon ne saurait sortir de blanche farine. White meal is not got out of a coal-sack.

E

Ecorcher l’anguille par la queue. To begin skinning the eel at the tail.

Elève le corbeau, il te crèvera les yeux. Bring up a raven and he will peck out your eyes.

Enfants et fous sont devins. Children and fools are prophets.

En fin les renards se trouvent chez le pelletier. Foxes come at last to the furrier’s.

En forgeant on devient forgeron. By working in the smithy one becomes a smith.

En grand fardeau n’est pas l’acquêt. The greatest burdens are not the gainfullest.

En la cour du roi chacun y est pour soi. At the king’s court every one for himself.

En la maison du ménétrier chacun est danseur. In the fiddler’s house every one is a dancer.

En mariage trompe qui peut. In marriage cheat who can.

Ennemi ne s’endort. An enemy does not sleep.

En petit champ croît bien bon bled. Very good corn grows in little fields.

En petites boîtes met-on les bons onguents. Precious ointments are put in small boxes.

En peu d’heure Dieu labeure. God’s work is soon done.

En sûreté dort qui n’a que perdre. He sleeps securely who has nothing to lose.

Entre deux selles le cul à terre. Between two stools the breech comes to the ground.

Entre promettre et donner doit-on marier sa fille. Between promising and giving a man should marry his daughter.

En vaisseau mal lavé ne peut-on vin garder. Wine will not keep in a foul vessel.

Envie passe avarice. Envy goes beyond avarice.

Erreur n’est pas compte. A mistake is no reckoning.

Est assez riche qui ne doit rien. He is rich enough who owes nothing.

Evêque d’or, crosse de bois; crosse d’or, évêque de bois. Golden bishop, wooden crosier; wooden bishop, golden crosier.

F

Face d’homme porte vertu. There’s virtue in a man’s face (i.e., presence carries weight).

Faire bonne mine à mauvais jeu. To put a good face on a bad game.

Faire comme le singe, tirer les marrons du feu avec la patte du chat. To do like the monkey, get the chesnuts out of the fire with the cat’s paw.

Faire de nécessité vertu. To make a virtue of necessity.

Faire des châteaux en Espagne. To build castles in the air.

Faire du cuir d’autrui large courroie. To cut broad thongs from another man’s leather.

Faire d’une pierre deux coups. To make two hits with one stone.

Faire un trou pour en boucher un autre. To make one hole by way of stopping another.

Faisant son office la balance, d’or ni de plomb n’a connaissance. The balance in doing its office knows neither gold nor lead.

Fais ce que dois, advienne que pourra. Do what you ought, come what may.

Fais-moi la barbe et je te ferai le toupet. Trim my beard and I will trim your topknot.

Femme, argent, et vin, ont leur bien et leur venin. Women, money, and wine have their balm and their harm.

Femme et melon à peine les connaît-on. A woman and a melon are hard to choose.

Femme qui beaucoup se mire peu file. A woman who looks much in the glass spins but little.

Femme qui prend, se vend; femme qui donne, s’abandonne. A woman who accepts, sells herself; a woman who gives, surrenders.

Femme rit quand elle peut, et pleure quand elle veut. A woman laughs when she can, and weeps when she pleases.

Femme sotte se cognoit à la cotte. A foolish woman is known by her finery.

Fiançailles vont en selle et repentailles en croupe. Wedlock rides in the saddle and repentance on the crupper.

Fi de manteau quand il fait beau. Fie upon a cloak in fair weather.

Fille oisive, à mal pensive. A girl unemployed is thinking of mischief.

Fin contre fin. Diamond cut diamond.

Fin contre fin n’est pas bon pour faire doublure. Fine and fine make but a slender doublet.

Foi de gentilhomme, un autre gage vaut mieux. The word of honour of a gentleman – another pledge would be better.

Folle est la brebis qui au loup se confesse. ’Tis a silly sheep that makes the wolf her confessor.

Force n’a pas droit. Might knows no right.

Fou qui se tait passe pour sage. The fool who is silent passes for wise.

Fumée, pluie, et femme sans raison, chassent l’homme de sa maison. Smoke, floods, and a troublesome wife, are enough to drive a man out of his life.

G

Gâteau et mauvaise coutume se doivent rompre. A cake and a bad custom ought to be broken.

Gâter une chandelle pour trouver une épingle. To burn out a candle in search of a pin.

Gentilhomme de Beauce qui reste au lit pendant qu’on raccommode ses chausses. A gentleman of Beauce who stays in bed till his breeches are mended.

Goutte à goutte emplit la cuve. Drop by drop fills the tub.

Goutte à goutte la pierre se creuse. Drop by drop wears away the stone.

Graissez les bottes d’un vilain, il dira qu’on les lui brûle. Grease a churl’s boots and he’ll say you are burning them.

Grand besoin a de fol qui de soi-même le fait. He has great need of a fool who makes himself one.

Grand bien ne vient pas en peu d’heures. A great estate is not gotten in a few hours.

Grande chère petit testament. A fat kitchen makes a lean will.

Grande dispute vérité rebute. Great disputing repels truth.

Grand parleur grand menteur. A great talker is a great liar.

Grands oiseaux de coutume sont privés de leurs plumes. Fine birds are commonly plucked.

Grand vanteur, petit faiseur. Great boaster, little doer.

Grosse tête, peu de sens. Big head, little wit.

H

Habillé comme un moulin à vent. Dressed like a windmill.

Habille-toi lentement quand tu es pressé. Dress slowly when you are in a hurry.

Hardiment heurte à la porte qui bonne nouvelle y apporte. He knocks boldly at the door who brings good news.

Hâtez-vous lentement. Hasten leisurely.

Heureux commencement est la moitié de l’”oe]uvre. Well begun is half done.

Heureux sont les enfants dont les pères sont damnés. Happy the child whose father goes to the devil.

Homme assailli à demi vaincu. A man assailed is half overcome.

Homme chiche jamais riche. A stingy man is always poor.

Homme matineux, sain, alègre, et soigneux. The early riser is healthy, cheerful, and industrious.

Homme ne connaît mieux la malice que l’abbé qui a été moine. No man understands knavery better than the abbot who has been a monk.

Homme plaideur, menteur. A litigious man, a liar.

Honnête pauvreté est clair semée. Honest poverty is thinly sown.

Honneur fleurit sur la fosse. Honour blossoms on the grave.

I

Il a battu les buissons et un autre a pris les oisillons. He beat the bushes and another caught the birds.

Il a beau se lever matin qui a le renom de dormir la grasse matinée. It is in vain for a man to rise early who has the repute of lying in bed all the morning.

Il a beau se taire de l’escot qui ne paie rien. He needs say nothing about the score who pays nothing.

Il advient souvent en un jour ce qui n’advient en cent ans. That often happens in a day which does not happen in a hundred years.

Il a mangé son blé en herbe. He has eaten his corn in the blade.

Il a mis tous ses ”oe]ufs dans un panier. He has put all his eggs into one basket.

Il attend que les alouettes lui tombent toutes rôties dans le bec. He expects that larks will fall ready roasted into his mouth.

Il cherche son âne et il est monté dessus. He looks for his ass and sits on its back.

Il est avis au renard que chacun mange poules comme lui. The fox thinks everybody eats poultry like himself.

Il est avis à vieille vache qu’elle ne fût oncques veau. It is the old cow’s notion that she never was a calf.

Il est bien aisé d’aller à pied quand on tient son cheval par la bride. It is pleasant enough going afoot when you lead your horse by the bridle.

Il est bien fou qui s’oublie. He is a great fool who forgets himself.

Il est bon d’avoir des amis partout. It is good to have friends in all parts.

Il est comme le chien du jardinier, qui ne mange point de choux, et n’en laisse pas manger aux autres. He is like the gardener’s dog, who don’t eat cabbages and will let no one else eat them.

Il est dit habile, qui fraude ami et pile. He is called clever who cheats and plunders his friend.

Il est du naturel du chat, il retombe toujours sur ses pieds. He is like a cat, he always falls on his feet.

Il est juste que le prêtre vive de l’autel. It is just that the priest should live by the altar.

Il est né coiffé. He was born with a caul.

Il est né dimanche, il aime besogne faite. He was born on a Sunday, he likes work ready done.

Il est plus aisé de se tirer de la rive que du fond. It is easier to get away from the bank than the bottom.

Il est tout prêché qui n’a cure de bien faire. He is past preaching to who does not care to do well.

Il est trop tard de fermer l’écurie quand les chevaux sont pris. It is too late to lock the stable-door when the steeds are stolen.

Il fait bien mauvais au bois quand les loups se mangent l’un l’autre. Very hard times in the wood when the wolves eat each other.

Il fait bon battre l’orgueilleux quand il est seul. It is good to beat a proud man when he is alone.

Il fait toujours bon tenir son cheval par la bride. It is always well to keep hold of your horse’s bridle.

Il faut amadouer la poule pour avoir les poussins. To get the chicks one must coax the hen.

Il faut avaler les pilules sans les mâcher. Pills must be swallowed without chewing.

Il faut battre le fer tandis qu’il est chaud. Strike while the iron is hot.

Il faut bien laisser le jeu quand il est beau. It is well to leave off playing when the game is at its best.

Il faut casser la noix pour manger le noyau. He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut.

Il faut être enclume ou marteau. One must be either anvil or hammer.

Il faut faire ce qu’on fait. What you are doing do thoroughly. (Age quod agis.)

Il faut gratter les gens par où il leur démange. Scratch people where they itch.

Il faut hurler avec les loups. One must howl with the wolves.

Il faut laisser l’enfant morveux plutôt que lui arracher le nez. It is better to leave the child’s nose dirty than wring it off.

Il faut laver son linge sale en famille. Foul linen should be washed at home.

Il faut louer la mer et se tenir en terre. Praise the sea, and keep on land.

Il faut passer par la porte ou par la fenêtre. One must pass through the door or the window.

Il faut perdre un véron pour pêcher un saumon. One must lose a minnow to catch a salmon.

Il faut placer le clocher au milieu du village. Put the belfry in the middle of the village.

Il faut prendre le bénéfice avec les charges. The benefice must be taken with its liabilities.

Il faut que tout le monde vive. Everybody must live.

Il faut qu’une porte soit ouverte ou fermée. A door must either be open or shut.

Il faut reculer pour mieux sauter. One must step back to make the better leap.

Il faut se défier d’un ennemi réconcilié. Beware of a reconciled enemy. (Take heed of an enemy reconciled.)

Il faut se dire beaucoup d’amis et s’en croire peu. Give out that you have many friends, and believe that you have but few.

Il faut tendre voile selon le vent. Set your sail according to the wind.

Il faut tondre les brebis et non les écorchier. Shear the sheep but don’t flay them.

Il faut tourner sept fois sa langue dans sa bouche avant de parler. Turn your tongue seven times before speaking.

Il faut vouloir ce qu’on ne peut empêcher. One must needs like what one cannot hinder.

Il ment comme un arracheur de dents. He lies like a toothdrawer.

Il met sa faucille dans la moisson d’autrui. He puts his sickle into another man’s harvest.

Il n’a rien oublié, sinon de dire adieu. He forgot nothing except to say farewell.

Il ne choisit pas qui emprunte. Borrowers must not be choosers.

Il ne faut jamais défier un fou de mal faire. Never challenge a fool to do wrong.

Il ne faut pas badiner avec le feu. It won’t do to trifle with fire.

Il ne faut pas chômer les fêtes avant qu’elles ne soient venues. It will not do to keep holidays before they come.

Il ne faut pas clocher devant les boiteux. Never limp before the lame.

Il ne faut pas dire: Fontaine, je ne boirai pas de ton eau. Never say, Fountain, I will not drink of thy water.

Il ne faut pas enseigner les poissons à nager. Don’t teach fishes to swim.

Il ne faut pas faire d’un diable deux. Do not make two devils of one.

Il ne faut pas faire passer tous les chats pour des sorciers. All cats are not to be set down for witches.

Il ne faut pas jeter des pierres dans le jardin de ton voisin. You must not throw stones into your neighbour’s garden.

Il ne faut pas laisser de semer pour crainte des pigeons. Do not abstain from sowing for fear of the pigeons.

Il ne faut pas lier les ânes avec les chevaux. Asses must not be tied up with horses.

Il ne faut pas mettre le doigt entre l’arbre et l’écorce. Never put your finger between the tree and the bark.

Il ne faut pas parler latin devant les cordeliers. Don’t talk Latin before the Franciscans.

Il ne faut pas se moquer des chiens qu’on ne soit hors du village. Don’t snap your fingers at the dogs before you are out of the village.

Il ne faut pas s’en rapporter à l’étiquette du sac. Don’t rely on the label of the bag.

Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l’ours avant de l’avoir mis par terre. Never sell the bearskin till you have killed the bear.

Il ne faut point parler de corde dans la maison d’un pendu. Never speak of a rope in the house of one who was hanged.

Il ne faut point se dépouiller avant de se coucher. Do not strip before bedtime.

Il ne faut que tourner le dos à Dieu pour devenir riche. To grow rich one has only to turn his back on God.

Il ne faut qu’une brebis galeuse pour gâter tout le troupeau. One scabby sheep is enough to spoil the whole flock.

Il ne faut rien dérober que la bourse d’un avocat. One may steal nothing save a lawyer’s purse.

Il ne perdra pas l’avoine faute de brailler. He will not lose his oats for want of braying.

Il ne se garde pas bien qui ne se garde toujours. He does not guard himself well who is not always on his guard.

Il n’est banquet que d’homme chiche. No feast like a miser’s.

Il n’est chasse que de vieux chiens. There is no hunting but with old hounds.

Il n’est cheval qui n’ait sa tare. ’Tis a good horse that has no fault.

Il n’est orgueil que de pauvre enrichi. There is no pride like that of a beggar grown rich.

Il n’est pas échappé qui traîne son lien. He is not escaped who drags his chain.

Il n’est pas si diable qu’il est noir. He is not so much of a devil as he is black.

Il n’est pire eau que l’eau qui dort. There is no worse water than that which sleeps.

Il n’est pire sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre. None so deaf as he that won’t hear.

Il n’est point de belles prisons ni de laides amours. Never seemed a prison fair or mistress foul.

Il n’est que d’avoir la clef des champs. There’s nothing like having the key of the fields.

Il n’est que d’être crotté pour affronter le bourbier. There’s nothing like being bespattered for making a man defy the gutter.

Il n’est rien si bien fait où l’on ne trouve à redire. There is nothing so well done but may be mended.

Il n’est secret que de rien dire. The only way to keep a secret is to say nothing.

Il n’est si bon charretier qui ne verse. The best driver will sometimes upset.

Il n’est si grand dépit que de pauvre orgueilleux. There is no spite like that of a proud beggar.

Il n’est si petite chapelle qui n’ait son saint. There is no chapel so small but has its saint.

Il n’est si riche festin, où il n’y ait quelqu’un qui mal dîne. There never was a banquet so sumptuous but some one dined ill at it.

Il n’y a cheval si bien ferré qui ne glisse. Be a horse ever so well shod, he may slip.

Il n’y a cheval si bon qui ne bronche. It is a good horse that never stumbles.

Il n’y a ni rime ni raison. There’s neither rhyme nor reason.

Il n’y a pas de gens plus affairés que ceux qui ne font rien. None so busy as those who do nothing.

Il n’y a pas de miroir au monde qui ait jamais dit à une femme qu’elle était laide. There never was a looking-glass that told a woman she was ugly.

Il n’y a pas de sots métiers, il n’y a que de sottes gens. There are no foolish trades, there are only foolish people.

Il n’y a plus d’enfans. There are no children now-a-days.

Il n’y a point d’amour sans jalousie. There is no love without jealousy.

Il n’y a point de héros pour son valet de chambre. No man is a hero in the eyes of his valet.

Il n’y a point de petit ennemi. There is no such thing as an insignificant enemy.

Il n’y a que la première bouteille qui est chère. It is only the first bottle that is dear.

Il n’y a que le premier pas qui coûte. The first step is all the difficulty.

Il n’y a que les bons marchés qui ruinent. It is only good bargains that ruin.

Il n’y a que les honteux qui perdent. It is only the bashful that lose.

Il n’y a qu’heur et malheur en ce monde. All is luck or ill luck in this world.

Il n’y a rien de fait tant qu’il reste à faire. Nothing is done while something remains undone.

Il n’y a rien si hardi que la chemise d’un meunier. Nothing so bold as a miller’s shirt (because it takes a thief by the throat every morning).

Il n’y a sauce que d’appétit. No sauce like appetite.

Il n’y a si bel acquêt que le don. No purchase like a gift.

Il n’y a si bonne compagnie qui ne se quitte, comme disait le roi Dagobert à ses chiens. The best company must part, as King Dagobert said to his hounds.

Il n’y a si grand jour qui ne vienne pas a vêpres. No day so long but has its evening.

Il n’y a si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle. There is no pot so bad but finds its cover.

Il n’y a si petit buisson qui n’ait son ombre. There is no bush so small but casts its shadow.

Il n’y eut jamais bon marché de peaux de lions. Lion-skins were never had cheap.

Il porte le deuil de sa blanchisseuse. He wears the mourning of his washerwoman.

Il porte le feu et l’eau. He carries fire and water.

Il ressemble à chat brûlé, il vaut mieux qu’il ne se prise. He is like a singed cat, better than he looks.

Il se ruine à promettre, et s’acquitte à ne rien donner. He ruins himself in promises, and clears himself by giving nothing.

Il tombe sur le dos et se casse le nez. He falls on his back and breaks his nose.

Il vaut mieux avoir affaire à Dieu qu’à ses saints. It is better to have to do with God than with his saints.

Il vaut mieux être fou avec tous que sage tout seul. Better be mad with all the world than wise alone.

Il vaut mieux être le premier de sa race que le dernier. It is better to be the first of one’s race than the last (meanest).]

Il vaut mieux être marteau qu’enclume. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.

Il vaut mieux faire envie que pitié. Better to be envied than pitied.

Il vaut mieux plier que rompre. It is better to bend than break.

Il vaut mieux trébucher une fois que toujours chanceler. Better to stumble once than be always tottering.

Il y a des calomnies contre lesquelles l’innocence même perd courage. There are calumnies against which even innocence loses courage.

Il y a des hochets pour tous les ages. There are toys for all ages.

Il y a fagot et fagot. There are fagots and fagots (all are not alike).

Il y a plus de fols acheteurs que de fols vendeurs. There are more foolish buyers than foolish sellers.

Il y a remède à tout fors à la mort. There is a remedy for everything but death.

J

J’aime mieux un raisin pour moi que deux figues pour toi. Rather a single grape for me than a brace of figs for thee.

Jamais bon chien n’aboie à faux. A good dog never barks at fault.

Jamais chapon n’aima géline. Never did capon love a hen.

Jamais chat emmitouflé ne prit souris. A muffled cat never caught a mouse.

Jamais coup de pied de jument ne fit mal à un cheval. A kick from a mare never hurt a horse.

Jamais grand nez n’a gâté joli visage. A big nose never spoiled a handsome face.

Jamais honteux n’eut belle amie. Faint heart never won fair lady.

Jamais la cornemuse ne dit mot si elle n’a le ventre plein. The bagpipe never utters a word till its belly is full.

Jean a étudié pour être bête. John has been to school to learn to be a fool.

Je ne vis oncques riche muet. I never saw a silent rich man.

Je sais à mon pot comment les autres bouillent. I know by my own pot how the others boil.

Jeter le manche après la cognée. To throw the helve after the hatchet.

Jeux de mains jeu de vilains. Manual jokes are clown’s jokes.

Joyeuse vie père et mère oublie. A merry life forgets father and mother.

L

L’abattu veut toujours lutter. He that is thrown would still wrestle.

La belle cage ne nourrit pas l’oiseau. A fine cage won’t feed the bird.

La belle plume fait le bel oiseau. Fine feathers make fine birds.

La borne sied très bien entre les champs de deux frères. A landmark is very well placed between the fields of two brothers.

La brebis sur la montagne est plus haute que le taureau dans la plaine. The sheep on the mountain is higher than the bull on the plain.

La caque sent toujours le hareng. The cask always smells of the herring.

La chandelle qui va devant vaut mieux que celle qui va derrière. The candle that goes before is better than that which comes after.

L’adresse surmonte la force. Policy goes beyond strength.

La faim chasse le loup hors du bois. Hunger drives the wolf out of the wood.

La faim regarde à la porte de l’homme laborieux, mais elle n’ose pas entrer. Hunger looks in at the industrious man’s door but dares not enter.

La farine du diable s’en va moitié en son. The devil’s meal turns half to bran.

La faute est grande comme celui qui la commet. The fault is great in proportion to him who commits it.

La fête passée, adieu le saint. The saint’s-day over, farewell the saint.

La fin couronne l’”oe]uvre. The end crowns the work. (All is well that ends well.)

La fortune est une femme; si vous la manquez aujourd’hui, ne vous attendez pas à la retrouver demain. Fortune is a woman; if you neglect her to-day, expect not to regain her to-morrow.

La fortune la plus amie vous donne le croc-en-jambe. The most friendly fortune trips up your heels.

La fortune ne peut nous ôter que ce qu’elle nous a donné. Fortune can take from us only what she has given us.

La gibecière de l’avocat est une bouche d’enfer. The lawyer’s pouch is a mouth of hell.

La gloire vaine ne porte graine. Vainglory bears no grain.

La gourmandise a tué plus de gens que l’épée. Gluttony has killed more than the sword.

La guerre fait les larrons, la paix les pend. War makes robbers, peace hangs them.

L’aigle ne chasse point aux mouches. The eagle does not hunt flies.

Laissez le moustier où il est. Leave the minster where it is.

La jeunesse revient de loin. Youth may stray afar yet return at last.

La lame use le fourreau. The blade wears out the sheath.

La langue des femmes est leur épée, et elles ne la laissent pas rouiller. A woman’s tongue is her sword, and she does not let it rust.

La langue va où la dent fait mal. The tongue goes to where the tooth aches.

La lisière est pire que le drap. The list is worse than the cloth.

La loi dit ce que le roi veut. The law says what the king pleases.

La mauvaise garde paît souvent le loup. Bad watch often feeds the wolf.

L’ami par intérêt est une hirondelle sur les toits. The interested friend is a swallow on the roof. (Prepared to leave at the approach of winter.)

La moitié du monde ne sait comment l’autre vit. One half the world knows not how the other half lives.

La moitié du monde se moque de l’autre. One half the world laughs at the other.

L’amour apprend aux ânes à danser. Love teaches asses to dance.

L’amour chasse jalousie. Love expels jealousy.

L’amour fait passer le temps, et le temps fait passer l’amour. Love makes time pass away, and time makes love pass away.

L’amour fait rage, mais l’argent fait mariage. Love does wonders, but money makes marriage.

L’âne de la montagne porte le vin et boit de l’eau. The mountaineer’s ass carries wine and drinks water.

L’âne du commun est toujours le plus mal bâté. The ass that is common property is always the worst saddled.

Langue de miel et c”oe]ur de fiel. A honeyed tongue with a heart of gall.

La nuit n’a point d’amis. Night has no friend.

La nuit porte conseil. The night brings counsel.

La nuit tous chats sont gris. By night all cats are grey.

Là où sont les poussins la poule a les yeux. The hen’s eyes are with her chickens.

La patience est la vertu des ânes. Patience is the virtue of asses.

La peau est plus proche que la chemise. The skin is nearer than the shirt.

La pelle se moque du fourgon. The shovel scouts the poker.

La petite aumône est la bonne. The little alms are the good alms.

La peur est grand inventeur. Fear is a great inventor.

La plus belle femme ne peut donner que ce qu’elle a. The handsomest woman can only give what she has.

La plus grande finesse est de n’en avoir point. The greatest cunning is to have none at all.

La pomme est pour le vieux singe. The old monkey gets the apple.

La poule ne doit pas chanter devant le coq. The hen ought not to cackle in presence of the cock.

L’appétit vient en mangeant. Appetite comes with eating.

La queue est la pire à écorcher. The tail is the hardest to scourge.

La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure. The arguments of the strongest have always the most weight.

L’arbre ne tombe pas du premier coup. The tree does not fall at the first stroke.

L’argent est un bon serviteur, mais c’est un mauvais maître. Money is a good servant but a bad master.

L’argent ne se perd qu’à faute d’argent. Money is lost only for want of money.

La rouille use plus que le travail. Rust wastes more than use.

La seule victoire contre l’amour c’est la fuite. The only victory over love is flight.

La vanité n’a pas de plus grand ennemi que la vanité. Vanity has no greater foe than vanity.

L’avare et le cochon ne sont bons qu’après leur mort. The miser and the pig are of no use till dead.

L’avarice rompt le sac. Avarice bursts the bag.

La vérité est la massue qui chacun assomme et tue. Truth is the club that knocks down and kills everybody.

Lavez chien, peignez chien, toutefois n’est chien que chien. Wash a dog, comb a dog, still a dog remains a dog.

La vie est moitié usée avant qu’on ne sache ce qu’est la vie. Life is half spent before one knows what life is.

Le beau soulier blesse souvent le pied. A handsome shoe often pinches the foot.

Le bedeau de la paroisse est toujours de l’avis de monsieur le curé. The beadle of the parish is always of the vicar’s opinion.

Le b”oe]uf par la corne et l’homme par la parole. Take an ox by his horn, a man by his word.

Le bossu ne voit pas sa bosse, mais il voit celle de son confrère. The hunchback does not see his own hump, but he sees his brother’s.

Le bouton devient rose et la rose gratte-cul. The bud becomes a rose and the rose a hip.

Le bruit est si fort qu’on n’entend pas Dieu tonner. The noise is so great one cannot hear God thunder.

Le bruit pend l’homme. Repute hangs a man.

Le chaudron mâchure la poële. The kettle smuts the frying-pan.

Le c”oe]ur mène où il va. The heart leads whither it goes.

L’écoutant fait le médisant. The listener makes the backbiter.

Le dernier venu le mieux aimé. The last come is the best liked.

Le diable était beau quand il était jeune. The devil was handsome when he was young.

Le diable n’est pas toujours à la porte d’un pauvre homme. The devil is not always at a poor man’s door.

Le diable pourrait mourir que je n’hériterais pas de ses cornes. The devil may die without my inheriting his horns.

Le faux ami ressemble à l’ombre d’un cadran. The false friend is like the shadow of a sun-dial.

Le feu le plus couvert est le plus ardent. The most covered fire is always the most glowing.

Le fou cherche son malheur. The fool hunts for misfortune.

Le fou se coupe de son couteau. The fool cuts himself with his own knife.

Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle. The game is not worth the candle.

Le lièvre revient toujours à son gite. The hare always returns to her form.

Le loup mourra dans sa peau. The wolf will die in his skin.

Le mal an entre en nageant. The ill year comes in swimming.

Le mal de l’”oe]il il faut le panser avec le coude. If you have a sore eye wipe it with your elbow. (Elbow-grease is a great preventive of disease.)

Le mal vient à cheval et s’en va à pied. Misfortune comes on horseback and goes away on foot.

Le médecin est souvent plus à craindre que la maladie. The doctor is often more to be feared than the disease.

Le meilleur vin a sa lie. The best wine has its lees.

Le miel est doux, mais l’abeille pique. Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.

Le miel n’est pas pour les ânes. Honey is not for asses.

Le moine répond comme l’abbé chante. The monk responds as the abbot chants.

Le mortier sent toujours les aulx. The mortar always smells of the garlic.

Le moulin ne moult pas avec l’eau coulée en bas. The mill does not grind with water that is past.

L’empereur d’Allemagne est le roy des roys, le roy d’Espagne roy des hommes, le roy de France roy des ânes, et le roy d’Angleterre roy des diables. The Emperor of Germany is the king of kings, the King of Spain king of men, the King of France king of asses, the King of England king of devils.

Le mulet garde longuement un coup de pied à son maître. The mule long keeps a kick in reserve for its master.

L’encens entête et tout le monde en veut. Incense intoxicates and every one wishes for it.

L’entente est au diseur. The meaning is best known to the speaker.

Le papier souffre tout. Paper bears anything.

L’épine en naissant va la pointe devant. A thorn comes into the world point foremost.

Le plus riche n’emporte qu’un linceul. The richest man carries nothing away with him but a shroud.

Le plus sage est celui qui ne pense point l’être. He is the wisest man who does not think himself so.

Le premier coup en vaut deux. The first blow is as good as two.

Le premier pas engage au second. The first step binds one to the second.

Le premier venu engrène. The first comer grinds first. (First come, first served.)

Le repentir coûte bien cher. Repentance costs very dear.

Le riche a plus de parents qu’il ne connaît. The rich man has more relations than he knows.

Les abeilles ne deviennent point frelons. Bees do not become hornets.

Les absents ont toujours tort. The absent are always in the wrong.

Le sac ne fut oncques si plein que n’y entrât bien un grain. A sack was never so full but that it would hold another grain.

Les Allemands ont l’esprit aux doigts. The Germans carry their wit in their fingers.

Les battus payent l’amende. The beaten pay the fine.

Les beaux esprits se rencontrent. Great wits meet.

Les belles ne sont pas pour les beaux. Belles are not for the beaux.

Les belles robes pleurent sur des épaules indignes. Rich garments weep on unworthy shoulders.

Les bons comptes font les bons amis. Short reckonings make long friends.

Les bons marchés ruinent. Good bargains are ruinous.

Les chevaux courent les bénéfices et les ânes les attrapent. Horses run after benefices and asses get them.

Les cloches appellent à l’église mais n’y entrent pas. Bells call to church but do not enter.

Les conseillers ne sont pas les payeurs. Advisers are not the payers.

Les corbeaux ne crèvent pas les yeux aux corbeaux. Ravens do not peck out ravens’ eyes.

Les cordonniers sont toujours les plus mal chaussés. Shoemakers are always the worst shod.

Les derniers venus sont souvent les maîtres. The last comers are often the masters.

Les deux font la paire. The two make a pair.

Les enfants sont ce qu’on les fait. Children are what they are made.

Les envieux mourront, mais non jamais l’envie. The envious will die, but envy never.

Les extrêmes se touchent. Extremes meet.

Les fous inventent les modes et les sages les suivent. Fools invent fashions and wise men follow them.

Les gens fatigués sont querelleurs. Tired folks are quarrelsome.

Les grands b”oe]ufs ne font pas les grandes journées. It is not the big oxen that do the best day’s work.

Les grands clercs ne sont pas les plus fins. Great scholars are not the shrewdest men.

Les grands diseurs ne sont pas les grands faiseurs. Great talkers are not great doers.

Les gros larrons ont toujours les manches pleines de baillons. Great thieves always have their sleeves full of gags.

Les gros larrons pendent les petits. Great thieves hang the little ones.

Les gros poissons mangent les petits. The big fish eat the little ones.

Les gueux ne sont jamais hors de leur chemin. A beggar is never out of his road.

Les hommes sont rares. Men are rare.

Les honneurs changent les m”oe]urs. Honours change manners.

Les honneurs comptent. Much worship, much cost.

Les Italiens pleurent, les Allemands crient, et les Français chantent. The Italians cry, the Germans bawl, and the French sing.

Les jours se suivent et ne se ressemblent pas. The days follow each other and are not alike.

Les larrons s’entrebattent et les larcins se découvrent. When thieves fall out the thefts are discovered.

Les lois ont le nez de cire. Laws have wax noses.

Les loups ne se mangent pas entre eux. Wolves do not eat each other.

Les maisons des avocats sont faictes de la teste des folz. Lawyers’ houses are built of fools’ heads.

Les mal vêtus devers le vent. The worst clothed go to windward.

Les mariages sont écrits dans le ciel. Marriages are written in heaven.

Les mauvaises nouvelles ont des ailes. Bad news has wings.

Les morts sont bientôt oubliés. The dead are soon forgotten.

Les morveux veulent toujours moucher les autres. Snivelling folks always want to wipe other folks’ noses.

Les murs ont des oreilles. Walls have ears.

Les oisons veulent mener les oies paître. The goslings would lead the geese out to grass.

Le soleil lui-même n’a-t-il pas des taches? Are there not spots on the sun?

Le soleil luit pour tout le monde. The sun shines for all the world.

Les petits cadeaux entretiennent l’amitié. Little presents maintain friendship.

Les petits ruisseaux font les grandes rivières. Little brooks make great rivers.

Les plus courtes folies sont les meilleures. The shortest follies are the best.

Les plus rusés sont les premiers pris. The most cunning are the first caught.

Les pots fêlés sont ceux qui durent le plus. The flawed pot lasts longest.

Les premiers vont devant. First come first served.

Les princes ne veulent point de servitudes limitées. Princes will not be served on conditions.

Les princes se servent des hommes comme le laboureur des abeilles. Princes use men as the husbandman uses bees.

Les princes tiennent toujours leurs comptes, ils ne perdent jamais rien. Princes keep good reckoning, they never lose anything.

L’esprit qu’on veut avoir gâte celui qu’on a. The wit one wants spoils what one has.

Les raisonnements bannissent la raison. Reasonings banish reason.

Les rois ont les mains longues. Kings have long hands.

Les tonneaux vides sont ceux qui font le plus de bruit. Empty casks make the most noise.

Leurs chiens ne chassent point ensemble. Their dogs don’t hunt in couples.

Le ventre emporte la tête. The belly overrules the head.

Lever à cinq, disner à neuf, souper à cinq, coucher à neuf, font vivre d’ans nonante-neuf. To rise at five, dine at nine, sup at five, go to bed at nine, makes a man live to ninety-nine.

Lever à six, manger à dix, souper à six, coucher à dix, font vivre l’homme dix fois dix. To rise at six, eat at ten, sup at six, go to bed at ten, makes a man live years ten times ten.

Le vilain ne sait ce qu’éperons valent. The churl knows not the worth of spurs.

Le vin donné aux ouvriers est le plus cher vendu. The wine given to your workmen is that for which you get the best paid.

Le vin ne porte point de chausses. Wine wears no breeches.

Le vrai n’est pas toujours vraisemblable. What is true is not always probable.

L’habit ne fait pas le moine. The gown does not make the monk.

L’homme est bien heureux qui a une belle femme auprès d’une abbaye. Happy is the man who has a handsome wife close to an abbey.

L’homme est de feu, la femme d’étoupe; le diable vient qui souffle. Man is fire, woman is tow, and the devil comes and blows.

L’homme n’a ni sens ni raison, qui jeune femme laisse au tison. The man has neither sense nor reason who leaves a young wife at home.

L’homme propose et Dieu dispose. Man proposes and God disposes.

L’hôte et le poisson en trois jours sont poison. A guest and a fish after three days are poison.

L’ignorance des hommes fait bouillir le pot aux prêtres. Men’s ignorance makes the pot boil for priests.

L’intention est réputée pour le fait. The will is taken for the deed.

L’occasion fait le larron. Opportunity makes the thief.

L’”oe]il du maître engraisse le cheval. The eye of the master fattens the steed.

Loin des yeux loin du c”oe]ur. Out of sight out of mind.

L’oiseau ne doit pas salir son nid. The bird ought not to soil its own nest.

Longue demeure fait changer ami. Long absence changes friends.

Longue langue, courte main. Long tongue, short hand.

Longues paroles font les jours courts. Long talk makes short days.

M

Maille à maille on fait le haubergeon. Link by link the coat of mail is made.

Maints sont bons parce qu’ils ne peuvent nuire. Many a one is good because he can do no mischief.

Maison faite et femme à faire. A house ready made and a wife to make.

Mal d’autrui n’est que songe. Another’s misfortune is only a dream.

Mal soupe qui tout dîne. He sups ill who eats up all at dinner.

Mal sur mal n’est pas santé. Misfortune upon misfortune is not wholesome.

Marchand d’oignons se connaît en ciboules. A dealer in onions is a good judge of scallions.

Marchand qui perd ne peut rire. The merchant that loses cannot laugh.

Mariage d’épervier: la femelle vaut mieux que le mâle. A hawk’s marriage: the hen is the better bird.

Marie ton fils quand tu voudras, ta fille quand tu pourras. Marry your son when you please, your daughter when you can.

Mari sourd et femme aveugle font toujours bon ménage. A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple.

Mauvais c”oe]ur et bon estomac. A bad heart and a good stomach.

Mauvaise herbe croît toujours. Ill weeds grow apace.

Mauvais ouvrier ne trouvera jamais bon outil. A bad workman never finds a good tool.

Méchant chien, court lien. A wicked dog must be tied short.

Méchant poulain peut devenir bon cheval. A ragged colt may make a good horse.

Mère piteuse fait sa fille rogneuse. A tender-hearted mother makes a scabby daughter.

Mets ton manteau comme vient le vent. Arrange your cloak as the wind blows.

Mettre la charrue devant les b”oe]ufs. To put the plough before the oxen.

Mieux nourri qu’instruit. Better fed than taught.

Mieux vaut assez que trop. Enough is better than too much.

Mieux vaut avoir ami en voye qu’or ou argent en corroye. Better to have a friend on the road than gold or silver in your purse.

Mieux vaut bon repas que bel habit. Better a good dinner than a fine coat.

Mieux vaut couard que trop hardi. Better be a coward than foolhardy.

Mieux vaut engin que force. Contrivance is better than force.

Mieux vaut être tête de chien que queue de lion. Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.

Mieux vaut faire envie que pitié. Better be envied than pitied.

Mieux vaut glisser du pied que de la langue. Better a slip of the foot than of the tongue.

Mieux vaut marcher devant une poule que derrière un b”oe]uf. Better walk before a hen than behind an ox.

Mieux vaut perdre la laine que la brebis. Better lose the wool than the sheep.

Mieux vaut plein poing de bonne vie que ne faict sept muys de clergie. A handful of good life is better than seven bushels of learning.

Mieux vaut plier que rompre. Better bend than break.

Mieux vaut règle que rente. Thrift is better than an annuity.

Mieux vaut tard que jamais. Better late than never.

Mieux vaut terre gâtée que terre perdue. Better a ruined than a lost land.

Mieux vaut une once de fortune qu’une livre de sagesse. An ounce of luck is worth a pound of wisdom.

Mieux vaut un pied que deux échasses. One foot is better than two stilts.

Mieux vaut un tiens que deux tu l’auras. One “take this” is worth more than two “you shall have.”

Moineau en main vaut mieux que pigeon qui vole. A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the wing.

Moine qui demande pour Dieu demande pour deux. The monk that begs for God’s sake begs for two.

Moins vaut rage que courage. Rage avails less than courage.

Moitié figue, moitié raisin. Half figs, half raisins.

Montre-moi un menteur je te montrerai un larron. Show me a liar and I’ll show you a thief.

Montrer le soleil avec un flambeau. To show the sun with a torch.

Morceau avalé n’a plus de goût. There is no flavour in a swallowed morsel.

Morte la bête, mort le venin. The beast dead, the venom is dead.

Mot à mot on fait les gros livres. Word by word the big books are made.

Muraille blanche papier de fou. A white wall is the fool’s paper.

N

Nager entre deux eaux. To swim between two waters.

Nage toujours et ne t’y fie. Swim on and don’t trust.

N’a pas fait qui commence. He has not done who is beginning.

Nécessité est mère d’invention. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Nécessité n’a pas de loi. Necessity has no law.

Ne crachez pas dans le puits, vous pouvez en boire l’eau. Spit not in the well, you may have to drink its water.

Ne croire à Dieu que sur bons gages. Trust not to God but upon good security.

Ne fais pas un four de ton bonnet ni de ton ventre un jardinet. Don’t make an oven of your cap or a garden of your belly.

Ne mets ton doigt en anneau trop étroit. Don’t put your finger into too tight a ring.

Ne meurs cheval, herbe te vient. Horse, don’t die yet, grass is coming.

Ne prêtez point votre argent à un grand seigneur. Do not lend your money to a great man.

Ne reprens ce que n’entens. Don’t find fault with what you don’t understand.

Ne sont pas tous chasseurs qui sonnent du cor. All are not hunters who blow the horn.

Ne touchez point à l’argent d’autrui, car le plus honnête homme n’y ajouta jamais rien. Touch not another man’s money, for the most honest never added to it.

N’éveille pas le chat qui dort. Wake not a sleeping cat.

Noblesse oblige. Nobility imposes obligations.

Noire geline pond blanc ”oe]uf. A black hen lays a white egg.

Nous verrons, dit l’aveugle. We shall see, as the blind man said.

Nul feu sans fumée. No fire without smoke.

Nul n’aura bon marché s’il ne le demande. No one will get a bargain he does not ask for.

Nul n’est prophète dans son pays. No man is a prophet in his own country.

Nul n’est si large que celui qui n’a rien à donner. No one is so liberal as he who has nothing to give.

Nul vent ne fait pour lui qui n’a point de port destiné. No wind can do him good who steers for no port.

O

Oignez vilain il vous poindra, poignez vilain il vous oindra. Anoint a villain and he will prick you, prick a villain and he will anoint you.

Oiseau débonnaire de lui-même se fait. The gentle hawk mans herself.

On a beau mener le b”oe]uf à l’eau s’il n’a soif. It is in vain to lead the ox to the water if he is not thirsty.

On achète tout fors le jour et la nuit. Everything may be bought except day and night.

On a plus de mal à se damner qu’à se sauver. People take more pains to be damned than to be saved.

On apprend en faillant. One learns by failing.

On a souvent besoin de plus petit que soi. One often has need of a lesser than oneself.

On a tant crié Noël qu’à la fin il est venu. Christmas has been talked of so long that it has come at last.

On a toujours assez de force pour supporter le malheur de ses amis. One has always strength enough to bear the misfortunes of one’s friends.

On compte les défauts de ceux qu’on attend. People count up the faults of those who keep them waiting.

On connaît l’ami au besoin. A friend is known in time of need.

Oncques mâtin n’aima levrier. Mastiff never liked greyhound. (A churl never liked a gentleman.)

Oncques souhait n’emplit le sac. Wishes never filled the bag.

Oncques vieil singe ne fit belle moue. An old ape never made a pretty grimace.

On dit est un sot. ”They say” is a fool.

On fait dire aux cloches tout ce qu’on veut. People make the bells say what they please.

On fait le loup plus grand qu’il n’est. The wolf is not so big as people make him.

On ferait un bien gros livre de tous les peut-être qui se disent en un jour. It would be a very big book that contained all the maybes uttered in a day.

On frotte tant le fer qu’à la fin il s’échauffe. Iron may be rubbed so long that it gets heated.

On lie bien le sac avant qu’il soit plein. A sack is best tied before it is full.

On n’a jamais bon marché d’une mauvaise marchandise. Bad ware is never cheap.

On n’a jamais de marchandise que pour son argent. One never gets more than one’s money’s worth of anything.

On n’a jamais vu chèvre morte de faim. No one ever saw a goat dead of hunger.

On n’a rien pour rien. Nothing is had for nothing.

On ne connaît point le vin aux cercles. The wine is not known by the hoops.

On ne doit pas à gras pourceau le cul oindre. There’s no need to grease the fat pig’s rump.

On ne doit pas laisser bonne terre pour mauvais seigneur. Good land should not be quitted for a bad landlord.

On ne fait pas de rien grasse porée. Fat broth cannot be made of nothing.

On ne jette des pierres qu’à l’arbre chargé de fruits. It is only at the tree loaded with fruit that people throw stones.

On ne peut contenter tout le monde et son père. One cannot please everybody and one’s father.

On ne peut faire qu’en faisant. To do, one must be doing.

On ne peut pas empêcher le vent de venter. One can’t hinder the wind from blowing.

On ne peut pas être en même temps au four et au moulin. One cannot be at the oven and the mill at the same time. (One cannot be in two places at once.)

On ne peut pas être et avoir été. One cannot be and have been.

On ne peut sonner les cloches et aller à la procession. One cannot ring the bells and walk in the procession.

On ne prend pas le lièvre au son du tambour. Hares are not caught by the sound of the drum.

On ne prête qu’aux riches. People lend only to the rich.

On ne sait pas pour qui on amasse. One knows not for whom he gathers.

On ne saurait faire boire un âne s’il n’a pas soif. You cannot make an ass drink if he is not thirsty.

On ne saurait faire d’une buse un épervier. You cannot make a hawk of a buzzard.

On ne saurait tirer de l’huile d’un mur. You cannot get oil out of a wall.

On n’est jamais crotté que par la boue. One is never soiled but by filth.

On n’est jamais si riche que quand on déménage. One is never so rich as when one removes (from one house to another).

On ne va jamais si loin que lorsqu’on ne sait pas où l’on va. One never goes so far as when one doesn’t know whither one is going.

On pêche bien en eau troublé. It is good fishing in troubled waters.

On peut payer l’or trop cher. One may buy gold too dear.

On prend plus de mouches avec du miel qu’avec du vinaigre. Flies are easier caught with honey than with vinegar.

On prend son bien où on le trouve. A man takes his own wherever he finds it.

On revient toujours à ses premières amours. One always returns to one’s first love.

On se heurte toujours où l’on a mal. One always knocks oneself in the sore place.

On se soûle bien de manger tartes. One may tire of eating tarts.

On touche toujours sur le cheval qui tire. The horse that draws most is most whipped.

On trouve remède à tout fors à la mort. There is a remedy for everything but death.

On va bien loin depuis qu’on est las. One may go a long way after one is tired.

On voit plus de vieux ivrognes que de vieux médecins. There are more old drunkards than old doctors.

Or est qui or vaut. That is gold which is worth gold.

Ote-toi de là que je m’y mette. Get out of that place and let me take it.

Où il est faible le fil se rompt. Where the thread is weakest it breaks.

Où il n’y a point de mal il ne faut point d’emplâtre. Where there is no sore there needs no plaister.

Où il n’y a rien le roi perd ses droits. Where there is nothing the king loses his rights.

Où la chèvre est attachée il faut qu’elle broute. Where the goat is tied she must browse.

Où la guêpe a passé le moucheron demeure. Where the wasp has passed the fly sticks fast.

Où la haie est plus basse on saute dessus. Where the hedge is lowest men jump over.

Où l’hôtesse est belle le vin est bon. Where the hostess is handsome the wine is good.

Oy, voy, et te tay, si veux vivre en paix. Hear, see, and say nothing if you would live in peace.

P

Pain dérobé réveille l’appétit. Stolen bread stirs the appetite.

Pain tant qu’il dure, vin à mesure. Eat bread at pleasure, drink wine by measure.

Parens sans amis, amis sans pouvoir, pouvoir sans vouloir, vouloir sans effet, effet sans profit, profit sans vertu, ne vaut un fétu. Kindred without friends, friends without power, power without will, will without effect, effect without profit, profit without virtue, is not worth a rush.

Paris n’a pas été fait en un jour. Paris was not built in a day.

Parole jetée va partout à la volée. A word once out flies everywhere.

Partage de Montgomery: tout d’un côté, rien de l’autre. A Montgomery division: all on one side, nothing on the other.

Par trop débattre la vérité se perd. In too much disputing truth is lost.

Par trop presser l’anguille on la perd. To squeeze an eel too hard is the way to lose it.

Pas à pas on va bien loin. Fair and softly goes far.

Passez-moi la rhubarbe je vous passerai le séné. Give me the rhubarb and you may take the senna.

Pauvreté est une espèce de ladrerie. Poverty is a sort of leprosy.

Pauvreté n’est pas vice. Poverty is not a vice.

Péché caché est à demi pardonné. A sin concealed is half pardoned (meaning when care is taken to conceal the scandal).

Pendant que les chiens s’entre-grondent le loup dévore la brebis. Whilst the dogs are growling at each other the wolf devours the sheep.

Pense moult, parle peu, écris moins. Think much, say little, write less.

Petit à petit l’oiseau fait son nid. Little by little the bird builds its nest.

Petit chaudron, grandes oreilles. Little pitchers have long ears.

Petit dîner longuement attendu, n’est pas donné, mais chèrement vendu. A little dinner, long expected and cold, is by no means given, but dearly sold.

Petite brebiette toujours semble jeunette. A little sheep always seems young.

Petite chose aide souvent. A little thing often helps.

Petite étincelle luit en ténèbres. A little spark shines in the dark.

Petite pluie abat grand vent. A little rain stills a great wind.

Petit homme abat grand chêne. A little man fells a great oak.

Peu de levain aigrit grand’pâte. A little leaven leavens a great mass.

Pierre qui roule n’amasse point de mousse. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Plumer l’oie sans la faire crier. To pluck the goose without making it cry out.

Plus fait douceur que violence. Gentleness does more than violence.

Plus le singe s’élève plus il montre son cul pelé. The higher the ape climbs the more he shows his rump.

Plus on est de fous, plus on rit. The more fools the more laughter.

Plus on remue la merde et plus elle pue. The more you stir it the more it stinks.

Plus on se découvre, plus on a froid. The more a man exposes his nakedness the colder he is.

Plus on se hâte moins on avance. The more haste the worse speed.

Point d’argent, point de Suisse. No money no Swiss.

Point de nouvelles bonnes nouvelles. No news is good news.

Point de roses sans épines. No rose without a thorn.

Porte fermée, le diable s’en va. When the devil finds the door shut he goes away.

Porter de l’eau à la rivière. To carry water to the river.

Porter lanterne à midi. To carry a lantern in mid-day.

Possession vaut titre. Possession is as good as a title.

Pour bien connaître un homme il faut avoir mangé un boisseau de sel avec lui. To know a man well one must have eaten a bushel of salt with him.

Pour de l’argent les chiens dansent. Money makes dogs dance.

Pour faire un bon ménage, il faut que l’homme soit sourd et la femme aveugle. To make a happy couple, the husband must be deaf and the wife blind.

Pour l’amour du chevalier baise la dame l’écuyer. For sake of the knight the lady kisses the squire.

Pour néant demande conseil qui ne le veut croire. He asks advice in vain who will not follow it.

Pour un moine l’abbaye ne faut point. The abbey does not fail for want of one monk.

Pour un plaisir mille douleurs. For one pleasure a thousand pains.

Prendre l’occasion aux cheveux. To take opportunity by the forelock.

Prends le premier conseil d’une femme et non le second. Take a woman’s first advice and not her second.

Près de l’église et loin de Dieu. The nearer the church the farther from God.

Près du moustier à messe le dernier. The nearer the minster the later to mass.

Promettre et tenir sont deux. Promising and performing are two things.

Promettre plus de beurre que de pain. To promise more butter than bread.

Puisque le vin est tiré il faut le boire. Since the wine is drawn it must be drunk.

Q

Quand Dieu envoie la farine le diable enlève le sac. When God sends flour the devil carries off the sack.

Quand il n’y a point de vent chacun sait naviguer. When there is no wind every man is a pilot.

Quand la cage est faite l’oiseau s’envole. When the cage is ready the bird is flown.

Quand la fille est mariée il arrive assez de gendres. After the daughter is married, then come sons-in-law in plenty.

Quand la porte est basse il faut se baisser. When the door is low one must stoop.

Quand l’arbre est tombé tout le monde court aux branches. When the tree is down everybody runs to the branches.

Quand l’aveugle porte la bannière, mal pour ceux qui marchent derrière. When the blind man carries the banner, woe to those who follow.

Quand le chien se noye chacun lui porte de l’eau. When the dog is drowning every one brings him water.

Quand le diable devient vieux il se fait ermite. When the devil grows old he turns hermit.

Quand le diable dit ses patenôtres il veut te tromper. When the devil says his paternosters he means to cheat you.

Quand le Français dort le diable le berce. When the Frenchman sleeps the devil rocks him.

Quand les biens viennent les corps faillent. When goods increase the body decreases.

Quand les paroles sont dites l’eau bénite est faite. When the words are said, the holy water is made.

Quand on a des filles on est toujours berger. He who has daughters is always a shepherd.

Quand on est bien il faut s’y tenir. When you are well off keep as you are.

Quand on est mort, c’est pour longtemps. When one is dead, it is for a long while.

Quand on n’a pas ce que l’on aime, il faut aimer ce que l’on a. When one has not what one likes, one must like what one has.

Quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue. Talk of the wolf and you see his tail.

Quand tous péchés sont vieux l’avarice est encore jeune. When all other sins are old avarice is still young.

Quand vient la gloire s’en va la mémoire. When glory comes memory departs.

Que ta chemise ne sache ta guise. Let not your shirt know your way of thinking.

Qui a bonne tête ne manque pas de chapeaux. A good head does not want for hats.

Qui a bu boira. He who has drunk will drink.

Qui a compagnon a maître. He who has a companion has a master.

Qui a de l’argent a des pirouettes. He who has money has capers.

Qui a froid souffle le feu. Let him who is cold blow the fire.

Qui a honte de manger a honte de vivre. He that is ashamed to eat is ashamed to live.

Qui aime Bertrand aime son chien. Love Bertrand love his dog.

Qui aime bien châtie bien. Who loves well chastises well.

Qui aime bien tard oublie. Who loves well is slow to forget.

Qui a la bourse pleine prêche au pauvre. He who has his purse full preaches to the poor man.

Qui a tête de cire ne doit pas s’approcher du feu. He that hath a head of wax must not approach the fire.

Qui attend les souliers d’un mort risque d’aller pieds nus. He who waits for a dead man’s shoes is in danger of going barefoot.

Qui cache peut trouver. He that hides can find.

Qui casse les verres les paye. He pays for the glasses who breaks them.

Qui cesse d’être ami ne l’a jamais été. He never was a friend who has ceased to be one.

Qui chapon mange chapon lui vient. Who eats capon, capon comes to him.

Qui choisit, prend le pire. He who chooses takes the worst. (Pick and choose, and take the worst.)

Qui commence et ne parfait, sa peine perd. He who begins and does not finish loses his labour.

Qui compte sans son hôte, compte deux fois. He that reckons without his host must reckon again.

Qui court deux lièvres, n’en prendra aucun. He that hunts two hares will catch neither.

Qui crache contre le ciel, il lui tombe sur la tête. Who spits against heaven, it falls on his head.

Qui craint de souffrir, souffre de crainte. He who fears to suffer, suffers from fear.

Qui cuir voit tailler, courroye en demande. He who sees leather cut asks for a thong.

Qui dit averti, dit muni. Forewarned, forearmed.

Qui donner peut, il a maint bon voisin. He who can give has many a good neighbour.

Qui doute ne se trompe point. Who doubts errs not.

Qui écoute aux portes, entend plus qu’il ne désire. He who listens at doors hears more than he desires.

Qui en dit du mal, veut l’acheter. He who dispraises a thing, wants to buy it.

Qui épargne, gagne. Saving is getting.

Qui épargne le vice, fait tort à la vertu. He who spares vice wrongs virtue.

Qui est avec les loups, il lui faut hurler. He who kennels with wolves must howl.

Qui est bien, qu’il s’y tienne. Whose is well let him keep so.

Qui est sur la mer, il ne fait pas des vents ce qu’il veut. He who is at sea does not direct the winds.

Qui femme a, noise a. He that hath a wife is sure of strife.

Qui femme croit et âne mène, son corps ne sera jamais sans peine. He who trusts a woman and leads an ass will never be free from plague.

Qui gagne, joue bien. He plays well that wins.

Qui juge entre deux amis, perdra l’un ou l’autre. He who judges between two friends loses one of them.

Qui mal cherche, mal trouve. Harm watch harm catch.

Qui mange de l’oye du roi, chiera une plume quarante ans après. He who eats of the king’s goose will void a feather forty years after.

Qui mange la vache du roi maigre, la paie grasse. He who eats the king’s cow lean, pays for it fat.

Qui menace, a peur. He who threatens is afraid.

Qui monte la mule, la ferre. He who rides the mule shoes her.

Qui mouche trop son nez, en tire du sang. Who blows his nose too hard makes it bleed.

Qui naît le dimanche, jamais ne meurt de peste. A Sunday’s child never dies of the plague.

Qui n’amorce pas son haim, pèche en vain. He who does not bait his hook fishes in vain.

Qui n’a, ne peut. Who has not, cannot.

Qui n’a pas argent en bourse, ait miel en bouche. He that has not money in his purse should have honey in his mouth.

Qui naquit chat, court après les souris. Who is born of a cat will run after mice. (An allusion to one of Æsop’s fables.)

Qui n’a qu’un ”oe]il, bien le garde. A man who has but one eye must take good care of it.

Qui n’a rien, ne craint rien. He who has nothing fears nothing.

Qui n’a santé, n’a rien. He who has not health has nothing.

Qui ne châtie culot, ne châtie culasse. He that corrects not youth controls not age.

Qui ne dit mot, consent. Silence gives consent.

Qui ne fait pas quand il peut, il ne fait pas quand il veut. He that will not when he may, when he will shall have nay.

Qui ne fait rien, fait mal. He who does nothing does ill.

Qui ne gagne, perd. He who does not gain loses.

Qui ne hasarde rien, n’a rien. Nothing venture, nothing have.

Qui n’entend qu’une cloche, n’entend qu’un son. Who hears but one bell hears but one sound.

Qui ne parle, n’erre. He who holds his tongue does not commit himself.

Qui ne peut faire son salut par c”oe]ur, ne le fera par livre. Who cannot work out his salvation by heart will not do it by book.

Qui ne peut mordre, ne doit pas montrer les dents. Don’t show your teeth if you can’t bite.

Qui ne regarde pas en avant, se trouve en arrière. He who looks not before finds himself behind.

Qui ne retire de sa vache que la queue, ne perd pas tout. He who recovers but the tail of his cow does not lose all.

Qui ne sait bien parler de son métier, il ne le sait pas. He who cannot speak well of his trade does not understand it.

Qui ne s’aventure, n’a ni cheval ni mule; et qui trop s’aventure, perd cheval et mule. Who does not venture gets neither horse nor mule, and who ventures too much loses horse and mule.

Qui ne se lasse pas, lasse l’adversité. He who does not tire, tires adversity.

Qui ne sort que de jour, n’a que faire de lanterne. He who goes abroad by day has no need of a lantern.

Qui ne souffre pas seul, ne souffre pas tant. Company in distress makes trouble less.

Qui ne veut parler, ne veut gagner. Spare to speak and spare to speed.

Qui n’y va, n’y chet. He that ventures not fails not.

Qui parle, sème; qui écoute, recueille. Who speaks, sows; who listens, reaps.

Qui partout va, partout prend. He who goes everywhere gains everywhere.

Qui passe un jour d’hiver, il passe un de ses ennemis mortels. He who passes a winter’s day passes one of his mortal enemies.

Qui paye, a bien le droit de donner son avis. He who pays is fairly entitled to speak his mind.

Qui paye bien, est bien servi. He who pays well is well served.

Qui paye tôt, emprunte quand il veut. Who pays soon borrows when he will.

Qui perd, pèche. He who loses sins.

Qui peut lécher, peut mordre. He who can lick can bite.

Qui plus qu’il n’a vaillant dépend, il fait la corde à quoi se pend. He that spends more than he is worth spins a rope for his own neck.

Qui plus sait, plus se tait. Who knows most says least.

Qui porte un fardeau, en portera bientôt cent. He who carries one burden will soon carry a hundred.

Qui pourrait vivre sans espoir? Who could live without hope?

Qui prend femme, prend maître. He who takes a wife takes a master.

Qui prend une femme pour sa dot, à la liberté tourne le dos. Who wives for a dower, resigns his own power.

Qui prête à l’ami, perd au double. Who lends to a friend loses doubly.

Qui prouve trop, ne prouve rien. Who proves too much proves nothing.

Qui quitte sa place, la perd. He who quits his place loses it.

Qui refuse, muse. Who refuses, muses.

Qui répond, paye. Who answers for another pays.

Qui reste dans la vallée ne passera jamais la montagne. He that stays in the valley will not get over the hill.

Qui rien ne porte, rien ne lui chet. He who carries nothing loses nothing.

Qui s’acquitte, s’enrichit. He who gets out of debt enriches himself.

Qui s’arrête à chaque pierre, n’arrive jamais. He who stops at every stone never gets to his journey’s end.

Qui s’attend à l’écuelle d’autrui, dîne souvent par c”oe]ur. He who waits for another man’s trencher often dines in imagination (or with Duke Humphrey).

Qui saurait les aventures, ne serait jamais pauvre. Could a man foresee events he would never be poor.

Qui se couche avec des chiens, se lève avec des puces. He who lies down with dogs gets up with fleas.

Qui se détourne, évite le danger. He who turns aside avoids danger.

Qui se fâche, a tort. He who loses his temper is in the wrong.

Qui se fait brebis, le loup le mange. Make yourself a sheep and the wolf will eat you.

Qui se marie à la hâte, se repent à loisir. Marry in haste and repent at leisure.

Qui se marie par amours, a bonnes nuits et mauvais jours. He who marries for love has good nights and bad days.

Qui sème des chardons, recueille des épines. He who sows thistles reaps thorns.

Qui sème épines, n’aille déchaux. Who sows thorns should not go barefoot.

Qui sème, recueille. Who sows reaps.

Qui se remue, Dieu l’adjue. God helps him who helps himself.

Qui se ressemble s’assemble. Like will to like.

Qui sert commun, nul ne le paye, et s’il défaut, chacun l’abbaye. Who serves the mass is thanked by none, but cursed if aught be left undone.

Qui se sent galeux, se gratte. Let him that itches scratch himself.

Qui se sent morveux, se mouche. Let him who feels he has a dirty nose wipe it.

Qui se tient à Paris, ne sera jamais pape. He who never budges from Paris will never be pope.

Qui s’excuse, s’accuse. He who excuses himself accuses himself.

Qui s’y frotte, s’y pique. No jesting with edged tools.

Qui terre a, guerre a. Whoso hath land hath war.

Qui tient la poële par la queue, il la tourne là où il veut. He who holds the handle of the frying-pan turns it as he pleases.

Qui tient le fil, tient le peloton. He who holds the thread holds the ball.

Qui tôt donne, deux fois donne. He gives twice who gives in a trice.

Qui tourmente les autres, ne dort pas bien. He who torments others does not sleep well.

Qui trébuche et ne tombe pas, avance son chemin. He that stumbles and falls not, mends his pace.

Qui trop change, empire. Who often changes, damages.

Qui trop embrasse, mal étreint. He who grasps too much holds not firmly.

Qui trop se hâte en cheminant, en beau chemin se fourvoye souvent. He that is too much in haste, may stumble on a good road.

Qui un punit, cent menace. Who punishes one threatens a hundred.

Qui va chercher de la laine, revient tondu. He who goes to collect wool may come back shorn.

Qui va et retourne, fait bon voyage. Who goes and returns makes a good journey.

Qui va, il lèche; qui repose, il sèche. He who bestirs himself sucks up, he who lies still dries up.

Qui veut apprendre à prier, aille souvent sur la mer. If a man would learn to pray let him go often to sea.

Qui veut être riche en un an, au bout de six mois est pendu. He who wants to be rich in a year is hanged at six months’ end.

Qui veut faire une porte d’or, il y met tous les jours un clou. He who wishes to make a golden door drives a nail into it every day.

Qui veut noyer son chien, l’accuse de rage. A man who wants to drown his dog says he is mad.

Qui veut plaire à tout le monde, doit se lever de bonne heure. He had need rise early who would please everybody.

Qui veut prendre un oiseau, qu’il ne l’effarouche. To scare a bird is not the way to catch it.

Qui veut tenir nette maison, il n’y faut prêtre ni pigeon. He that would keep his house clean must not let priest or pigeon into it.

Qui veut vivre à Rome, ne doit pas se quereller avec le pape. He who wishes to live at Rome must not quarrel with the pope.

Qui veut voyager loin, ménage sa monture. He who wants to travel far takes care of his beast.

Qui vient, est beau; qui apporte, est encore plus beau. Fair is he that comes, but fairer he that brings.

Qui vit à compte, vit à honte. Who lives on the score has shame evermore.

Qui vit longtemps, sait ce qu’est douleur. He who lives long knows what pain is.

Qui vivra, verra. Who lives will see.

Qui voit une épingle et ne la prend, vient un temps qu’il s’en repent. See a pin and let it lie, you’ll want a pin before you die.

Quoique fol tarde, jour ne tarde. Though the fool waits, the day does not.

R

Raison contre le fort est un trepiteux port. Reason not with the great, ’tis a perilous gate.

Renard qui dort la matinée, n’a pas la langue emplumée. The fox that sleeps in the morning has not his tongue feathered.

Rendre à quelqu’un la monnaie de sa pièce. To give change out for his coin.

Rendre pois pour fève. To give a pea for a bean. (A Rowland for an Oliver.)

Ressembler aux bahutiers, qui font plus de bruit que de besogne. Like box-makers, more noise than work.

Rien n’a qui assez n’a. He has nothing who has not enough.

Rien n’arrive pour rien. Nothing happens for nothing.

Rien ne pèse tant qu’un secret. Nothing is so burthensome as a secret.

Rien ne ressemble plus à un honnête homme qu’un fripon. Nothing is more like an honest man than a rogue.

Rien ne se donne si libéralement que les conseils. Nothing is so liberally given as advice.

Rien n’est bon comme le fruit défendu. Nothing so good as forbidden fruit.

Rien ne vaut poulain s’il ne rompt son lien. A colt is good for nothing if it does not break its halter.

Rien ne vieillit plus vite qu’un bienfait. Nothing grows old sooner than a kindness.

Rira bien qui rira le dernier. He’ll laugh well that laughs longest.

Rome n’a pas été faite en un jour. Rome was not built in a day.

S

Saint ne peut, si Dieu ne veut. Saint cannot if God will not.

Saint qui ne guérit de rien, n’a guère de pélerins. The saint who works no cures has few pilgrims to his shrine.

Sans pain, sans vin, amour n’est rien. Without bread and wine even love will pine.

Sauter de la poële sur la braise. To jump out of the frying pan into the fire.

Secret de deux, secret de Dieu; secret de trois, secret de tous. The secret of two is God’s secret, the secret of three is everybody’s secret.

Se faire d’évêque meunier. From bishop to turn miller.

Se faire marchand de poissons la veille de Pâques. To turn fishmonger on Easter-eve.

Se jeter dans l’eau de peur de la pluie. To jump into the water for fear of the rain.

Selon le bras la saignée. According to the arm be the bleeding.

Selon le saint l’encens. Like saint like incense.

Selon le vent la voile. As the wind so the sail. (Set your sail to the wind.)

Sers comme serf, ou fuy comme cerf. Serve as a serf or fly like a deer.

Service de grands n’est pas héritage. Service is no inheritance.

Si ce n’était le si et mais, nous serions tous riches à jamais. Were it not for “if” and “but,” we should all be rich for ever.

Si c’était un loup, il vous sauterait au cou. Were it a wolf it would spring at your throat.

Si enfer n’est plein, jamais n’y aura d’avocat sauvé. Unless hell is full no lawyer will ever be saved.

Signer pour les deux parties. To sign for both parties.

Si jeunesse savait! si vieillesse pouvait! If youth knew! if age could!

Si le ciel tombait il y aurait bien des alouettes prises. If the sky were to fall we should catch plenty of larks.

Si le diable sortait de l’enfer pour combattre, il se présenterait aussitôt un Français pour accepter le défi. Were the devil to come from hell to fight, there would forthwith be a Frenchman to accept the challenge.

S’il est vrai, il peut être. ’Tis possible if true.

S’il fait beau, prends ton manteau; s’il pleut, prends-le si tu veux. If the weather is fine, put on your cloak; if it rains, do as you please.

S’il ne tient qu’à jurer, la vache est à nous. If it only depends on swearing, the cow is ours.

Si nous payons la musique, nous voulons aussi danser. If we pay for the music we will join in the dance.

Si souhaits fussent vrais, pastoureaux rois seraient. If wishes were true, shepherds would be kings. (If wishes would bide, beggars would ride.)

Si tu as la tête de beurre, ne te fais pas boulanger. If your head is made of butter, don’t be a baker.

Si tu ne le peux dire, si le monstre au doigt. If you cannot say it, point to it with your finger.

Si vous lui donnez un pied, il vous en prendra quatre. Give him a foot and he’ll take four.

Six choses au monde n’ont mestier: prestre hardy, coüard chevalier, juge convoiteux, puant barbier, mère piteuse, rogneux boulengier. Six things have no business in the world: a fighting priest, a coward knight, a covetous judge, a stinking barber, a soft-hearted mother, and an itchy baker.

Sois vraiment ce que tu veux qu’on te croie. Be truly what thou wouldst be thought to be.

Soleil qui luisarne au matin, femme qui parle latin, enfant nourri de vin, ne viennent point à bonne fin. A glaring sunny morning, a woman that talks Latin, and a child reared on wine, never come to a good end.

Son cheval a la tête trop grosse, il ne peut sortir de l’écurie. His horse’s head is too big, it cannot get out of the stable.

Songes sont mensonges. Dreams are lies.

Soubs ombre d’asne entre chien en moulin. The dog gets into the mill under cover of the ass.

Souffler le chaud et le froid. To blow hot and cold.

Soupçon est d’amitié poison. Suspicion is the poison of friendship.

Souris qui n’a qu’un trou est bientôt prise. The mouse that has but one hole is soon caught.

Souvent les railleurs sont raillés. The biter is often bit.

Suivez la rivière et vous gagnerez la mer. Follow the river and you will reach the sea.

Surement va qui n’a rien. He goes safely who has nothing.

Sur un ”oe]uf pond la poule un ”oe]uf. Upon an egg the hen lays an egg.

T

Tant doit-on le chien blandir qu’on ait la voie passée. One must talk soothingly to the dog until one has passed him.

Tant va la cruche à l’eau qu’à la fin elle se brise. The pitcher goes often to the well and gets broken at last.

Tant vaut l’homme, tant vaut sa terre. As the man is worth his land is worth.

Tard donner, c’est refuser. To give tardily is to refuse.

Tel a beaux yeux qui n’y voit goutte. Some have fine eyes and can’t see a jot.

Tel a du pain qui n’a plus de dents. Some have bread who have no teeth left.

Tel croit se chauffer qui se brûle. Some who mean only to warm, burn themselves.

Tel cuide avoir fait qui commence. Some think they have done when they are only beginning.

Tel cuide venger sa honte qui l’accroît. Some thinking to avenge their shame increase it.

Tel en pâtit qui n’en peut mais. Many a one suffers for what he can’t help.

Tel maître, tel valet. Like master, like man.

Tel menace, qui a peur. A man may threaten yet be afraid.

Tel menace, qui est battu. The threatener sometimes gets a beating.

Tel qui rit vendredi, dimanche pleurera. He that laughs on Friday may cry on Sunday.

Tel vend, qui ne livre pas. Some sell and don’t deliver.

Temps, vent, femme, et fortune, changent comme la lune. Weather, wind, women, and fortune change like the moon.

Tendresse maternelle toujours se renouvelle. Mother’s love is ever in its spring.

Tenir le loup par les oreilles. To hold the wolf by the ears.

Tête de fou ne blanchit jamais. A fool’s head never whitens.

Tirer le diable par la queue, ne mène loin jeunes ni vieux. Pulling the devil by the tail does not lead far young or old.

Tirer les marrons du feu avec la patte du chat. To take the chesnuts out of the fire with the cat’s paw.

Tôt gagné, tôt gaspillé. Soon gained soon squandered.

Toujours amoureux, jamais marié. Always in love, never married.

Toujours ne frappe-t-on pas ce à quoy l’on vise. One does not always hit what one aims at.

Toujours pêche qui en prend un. He fishes on who catches one.

Toujours truye songe bran. A sow is always dreaming of bran.

Tout bec crochu de proye est soustenu. Every hooked beak is maintained by prey.

Tout bois n’est pas bon à faire flèche. Not every sort of wood is fit to make an arrow.

Tout ce qui branle ne tombe pas. Every thing does not fall that totters.

Tout ce qui reluit n’est pas or. All is not gold that glitters.

Tout chemin mène à Rome. Every road leads to Rome.

Toute chair n’est pas venaison. All flesh is not venison.

Toute chose qui est bonne à prendre est bonne à rendre. What is worth receiving is worth returning.

Toute comparaison est odieuse. Comparisons are odious.

Toute eau éteint feu. Any water puts out fire.

Toutes les clefs ne pendent pas à une ceinture. All the keys don’t hang at one girdle.

Toutes têtes ne sont pas coffres à raison. All heads are not sense-boxes.

Toutes vérités ne sont pas bonnes à dire. All truths are not good to be uttered.

Tout état, et rien au plat. All state, and nothing on the plate.

Tout fait ventre, pourvu qu’il entre. A bellyful is a bellyful.

Tout le monde est sage après l’événement. Everybody is wise after the thing has happened.

Tout paraît jaune à qui a la jaunisse. To the jaundiced all things seem yellow.

Tout passe, tout casse, tout lasse. Everything passes, everything breaks, everything wearies.

Tout va à qui n’a pas besoin. Everything goes to him who does not want it.

Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre. Everything in time comes to him, who knows how to wait.

Tout y va par compère et commère. Everything goes by favour and cousinship.

Tricherie revient à son maître. Trickery comes back to its master.

Triste est la maison où le coq se tait et la poule chante. It is a sorry house in which the cock is silent and the hen crows.

Trois déménagements valent un incendie. Three removals are as bad as a fire.

Trois frères, trois châteaux. Three brothers, three castles.

Trop achète le miel qui le lèche sur les épines. He pays dear for honey who licks it off thorns.

Trop de zèle gâte tout. Too much zeal spoils all.

Trop gratter cuit, trop parler nuit. Too much scratching smarts, too much talking harms.

Trop tard crie l’oiseau quand il est pris. It is too late for the bird to scream when it is caught.

Trop tranchant ne coupe pas, trop pointu ne perce pas. Too keen an edge does not cut, too fine a point does not pierce.

Truie aime mieux bran que roses. A sow prefers bran to roses.

Tuer la poule pour avoir l’”oe]uf. To kill the hen by way of getting the egg.

Tuer un mercier pour un peigne. To kill a mercer for a comb.

U

Un ami de table et de vin, tenir ne faut pour bon voisin. A friend to my table and wine, is no good neighbour.

Un âne ne trébuche pas deux fois sur la même pierre. An ass does not stumble twice over the same stone.

Un apothicaire ne doit être longtemps cocu. An apothecary ought not to be long a cuckold.

Un aveugle mène l’autre en la fosse. One blind man leads another into the ditch.

Un barbier en rase un autre. One barber shaves another.

Un bienfait reproché tint toujours lieu d’offense. Upbraiding makes a benefit an injury.

Un boiteux ne veut aller avec un plus boiteux que lui. A lame man won’t walk with one who is lamer.

Un bon avis vaut un ”oe]il dans la main. A good advice is as good as an eye in the hand.

Un bon bailleur en fait bailler deux. A good gaper makes two gapers.

Un bon renard ne mange pas les poules de son voisin. A good fox does not eat his neighbour’s fowls.

Un bon repas doit commencer par la faim. A good repast ought to begin with hunger.

Un brochet fait plus qu’une lettre de recommandation. A jackfish does more than a letter of recommendation.

Un cerveau ne vaut guère sans langue. A brain is worth little without a tongue.

Un chien regarde bien un évêque. A dog may look at a bishop.

Un clou chasse l’autre. One nail drives out another.

Un coup de langue est pire qu’un coup de lance. The tongue wounds more than a lance.

Un courtisan doit être sans humeur et sans honneur. A courtier should be without feeling and without honour.

Une chandelle à Saint Michel et une à son diable. One candle for St. Michael, and another for his devil.

Une conscience pure est un bon oreiller. A clear conscience is a good pillow.

Une faute niée est deux fois commise. A fault denied is twice committed.

Une femme ne cèle que ce qu’elle ne sait pas. A woman conceals only what she does not know.

Une fleur ne fait pas une guirlande. One flower does not make a garland.

Une fois n’est pas coutume. Once is no custom.

Une hirondelle ne fait pas le printemps. One swallow does not make a spring.

Une once de faveur vaut mieux qu’une livre de justice. An ounce of favour goes further, or is worth more, than a pound of justice.

Une poule aveugle peut quelquefois trouver son grain. A blind hen can sometimes find her corn.

Une science requiert tout son homme. An art requires a whole man.

Une tromperie en attire une autre. One deceit brings on another.

Un fou avise bien un sage. A wise man may learn of a fool.

Un fou fait toujours commencement. A fool is always beginning.

Un homme averti en vaut deux. A man warned is as good as two.

Un homme bien monté est toujours orgueilleux. A man well mounted is always proud.

Un homme de paille vaut une femme d’or. A man of straw is worth a woman of gold.

Un homme mort n’a ni parents ni amis. A dead man has neither relations nor friends.

Un homme, nul homme. One man, no man.

Un homme qui se noie s’attache à un brin d’herbe. A drowning man clings to a blade of grass.

Un homme riche n’est jamais laid pour une fille. A rich man is never ugly in the eyes of a girl.

Un jour en vaut deux pour qui fait chaque chose en son lieu. One day is as good as two for him who does everything in its place.

Un malheur ne vient jamais seul. Misfortunes never come single.

Un marteau d’argent rompt une porte de fer. A silver hammer breaks an iron door.

Un mauvais accommodement vaut mieux qu’un bon procès. A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit.

Un moineau dans la main vaut mieux qu’une grue qui vole. A sparrow in the hand is better than a crane on the wing.

Un noble prince ou roy n’a jamais pille ne croix. A noble prince or king never has a coin to bless himself.

Un petit homme projette parfois une grande ombre. A little man sometimes casts a long shadow.

Un peu d’absence fait grand bien. A little absence does much good.

Un peu d’aide fait grand bien. A little help does a great deal.

Un peu de fiel gâte beaucoup de miel. A little gall spoils a great deal of honey.

Un seigneur de paille mange un vassal d’acier. A lord of straw devours a vassal of steel.

Un seul homme ne peut suffire à tout. No living man all things can.

Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l’admire. One fool always finds a greater fool to admire him.

Un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l’auras. One take-this is better than two thou-shalt-haves.

Un ver se recoquille quand on marche dessus. Tread on a worm and it will turn.

Un vieux four est plus aisé à chauffer qu’un neuf. An old oven is easier to heat than a new one.

V

Vache de loin a lait assez. A cow from afar gives plenty of milk.

Vache ne sait ce que vaut sa queue jusqu’à ce qu’elle l’ait perdue. A cow does not know what her tail is worth until she has lost it.

Valet devant, maître derrière, en pont, en planche, en rivière. At a bridge, a plank, a river, the servant foremost, the master behind.

Vent au visage rend un homme sage. Adversity makes a man wise.

Ventre affamé n’a point d’oreilles. A hungry belly has no ears.

Ventre plein conseille bien. A full belly counsels well.

Veux-tu meilleur pain que de froment? Do you want better bread than wheaten?

Viande d’ami est bientôt prête. A friend’s meat is soon ready.

Vides chambres font femmes folles. Empty rooms make giddy housewives.

Vie de pourceau, courte et bonne. A pig’s life, short and sweet.

Vieilles amours et vieux tisons s’allument en toutes saisons. Old love and old brands kindle at all seasons.

Vieux amis et comptes nouveaux. Old friends and new reckonings.

Vieux b”oe]uf fait sillon droit. An old ox makes a straight furrow.

Vieux chien n’aboie pas en vain. An old dog does not bark for nothing.

Vilain affamé, demi enragé. A hungry clown is half mad.

Vilain enrichi ne connaît parent ni ami. A clown enriched knows neither relation nor friend.

Vilain ne sçait qu’esperon vaut. A churl knows not the worth of spurs (i. e. honour).

Ville qui parlemente est moitié rendue. The town that parleys is half surrendered.

Vin versé n’est pas avalé. Wine poured out is not wine swallowed.

Vivre au jour la journée. To live from hand to mouth.

Voix du peuple, voix de Dieu. The people’s voice, God’s voice.

Voler un voleur n’est pas voler. To rob a robber is not robbing.

Vouloir, c’est pouvoir. Will is power.

Vraie noblesse nul ne blesse. True nobility is invulnerable.

ITALIAN PROVERBS

A

Abbiamo pur fiorini che troveremo cugini. Let us have florins and we shall find cousins.

Abbi piuttosto il piccolo per amico, che il grande per nemico. Rather have a little one for your friend, than a great one for your enemy.

Abbondanza genera fastidio. Plenty makes daintiness.

A bisogni si conoscon gli amici. Friends are known in time of need. (Friends in need are friends indeed.)

A buona derrata pensaci su. At a good bargain pause and ponder.

A buon cavaliere non manca lancia. A good cavalier never lacks a lance.

A buon cavallo non manca sella. A good horse never lacks a saddle.

A buon cavallo non occorre dirgli trotta. No need to say “trot” to a good horse.

A buon intenditor poche parole. A word to the wise is enough.

A buon vino non bisogna frasca. Good wine needs no bush.

A cader va chi troppo in alto sale. He who climbs too high is near a fall.

A can che fugge, dagli, dagli. When a dog runs away, hit him! hit him!

A can che lecchi cenere, non gli fidar farina. The dog that licks ashes is not to be trusted with flour.

A cane scottato l’acqua fredda pare calda. A scalded dog thinks cold water hot.

A cattiva vacca Dio dà corte corna. God gives a curst cow short horns.

A cattivo cane corto legame. A mischievous dog must be tied short.

A causa perduta, parole assai. Plenty of words when the cause is lost.

A caval donato, non guardar in bocca. Look not a gift horse in the mouth.

A caval donato, non si mira il pelo. Never heed the colour of a gift horse.

A cavalli tristi o buoni, sempre porta i tuoi sproni. Be the horse good or bad always wear your spurs.

A caval magro vanno le mosche. Flies flock to the lean horse.

A cavar di casa un morto, ci voglion quattro vivi. It takes four living men to carry one dead man out of a house.

Accasca in un punto quel che non accasca in cento anni. That happens in a moment which may not happen in a hundred years.

Accenna al savio e lascia far a lui. Give the wise man a hint and leave him to act.

Accordatevi, dice Arlotto, ed io farò piovere. Agree between yourselves (as to the time), quoth Arlotto, and I will make it rain.

Accosta più la camicia che il giubbone. The shirt is nearer than the doublet.

Accostati a’ buoni e sarai uno di essi. Associate with the good and you will be one of them.

A chi compra non bastan cent’occhi, e à chi vende ne basta un solo. For the buyer a hundred eyes are too few, for the seller one is enough.

A chi dici il tuo secreto, doni la tua libertà. To whom you tell your secret you surrender your freedom.

A chi fa male, mai mancano scuse. The wrong-doer never lacks excuses.

A chi fugge, ogni cosa dà impaccio. The fugitive finds everything impede him.

A chi ha testa, non manca cappello. He who has a head won’t want for a hat.

A chi la riesce bene, è tenuto per savio. He who succeeds is reputed wise.

A chi non si lascia consigliare, non si può aiutare. There is no helping him who will not be advised.

A chi parla poco, gli basta la metà del cervello. Half a brain is enough for him who says little.

A chi piace il bere, parla sempre di vino. He who likes drinking is always talking of wine.

A chi ti dà un porco, tu gli puoi ben dar una carbonata. To him who gives you a pig you may well give a rasher.

A chi ti può torre ciò che hai, dagli ciò che ti chiede. To him who can take what thou hast, give what he asks.

A chi troppo ride gli duole il cuore. He who laughs overmuch may have an aching heart.

A chi veglia tutto si rivela. To him who watches, everything reveals itself.

A chi vuole, non è cosa difficile. Nothing is difficult to a willing mind.

A chi vuole, non mancano modi. Where there’s a will there’s a way.

A chi vuol fare, non manca che fare. To him who is determined it remains only to act.

A colomba pasciuta la vescia par amara. Vetches seem bitter to the full-cropped pigeon.

A conti vecchi contese nuove. Old reckonings, new disputes.

Acqua che corre non porta veleno. Running water carries no poison.

Acqua cheta vermini mena. Still water breeds vermin.

Acqua, fumo, e mala femmina, cacciano la gente di casa. Water, smoke, and a vicious woman, drive men out of the house.

Acqua lontana non spegne fuoco vicino. Water afar does not quench a fire at hand.

Acqua passata non macina più. Water past will not turn the mill.

Acqua torbida non fa specchio. Muddy water won’t do for a mirror.

Acqua torbida non lava. Dirty water does not wash clean.

Acquista buona fama e mettiti à dormire. Get a good name and go to sleep.

A cuor vile forza non giova. Strength avails not a coward.

Adagio a’ mal passi. Go softly at bad bits of road.

Ad albero caduto accétta, accétta. To the fallen tree, hatchets! hatchets!

Ad arbor che cade ognun grida dàgli, dàgli. When a tree is falling, every one cries, down with it.

Ad arca aperta il giusto pecca. At an open chest the righteous sins.

A dono nuovo non convien grazia vecchia. Old thanks are not for new gifts.

Ad occhio infermo nuoce la luce. The light is painful to sore eyes.

Ad ogni santo la sua torcia. To every saint his torch.

Ad ogni santo vien la sua festa. Every saint has his festival.

Ad ogni uccello suo nido par bello. Every bird thinks its own nest beautiful.

Ad ogni volpe piace il pollaio. Every fox likes a henroost.

Ad ognuno par più grave la croce sua. Every one thinks his own cross the heaviest.

Ad ora ad ora vola tutto il tempo. Hour by hour time departs.

Ad un cieco mal può mostrarsi il cammino. It is not easy to show the way to a blind man.

Ad un colpo non cade à terra l’albero. The tree is not felled at one blow.

Ad un popolo pazzo, un prete spiritato. A mad parish, a mad priest.

Ad un uomo dabbene avanza la metà del cervello; ad un tristo non basta neanche tutto. For an honest man half his wits are enough; the whole is too little for a knave.

A fiume famoso non andar a pesca. Don’t go a-fishing to a famous stream.

A gatta che lecca spiedo non fidar arrosto. A cat that licks the spit is not to be trusted with roast meat.

A giovane cuor tutto è giuoco. To a young heart everything is sport.

A giovano soldato vecchio cavallo. An old horse for a young soldier.

Agli uomini ogni peccato mortale è veniale, alle donne ogni veniale è mortale. In men every mortal sin is venial, in women every venial sin is mortal.

A goccia à goccia s’incava la pietra. Drop by drop wears away the stone.

A gran ruscello passate l’ultimo. At a great river be the last to pass.

A gran salita gran discesa. The higher the rise the greater the fall.

A grassa cucina povertà è vicina. A fat kitchen is next door to poverty.

Ai mali estremi, estremi rimedi. For extreme ills extreme remedies.

A la barba de’ pazzi il barbier impara a radere. On a fool’s beard the barber learns to shave.

Albero spesso trapiantato mai di frutti è caricato. A tree often transplanted is never loaded with fruit.

Al bugiardo non si crede la verità. The liar is not believed when he speaks the truth.

Al cattivo cane tosto vien la coda. A cur’s tail grows fast.

Al confessore, medico, e avvocato, non tenere il ver celato. Hide not the truth from your confessor, your doctor, or your lawyer.

Al fin del giuoco si vede chi guadagna. At the end of the game we see who wins.

Al ladro fa paura anche un sorcio. The thief is frightened even by a mouse.

Al molino ed alla sposa, sempre manca qualche cosa. A mill and a wife are always in want of something.

Alla fama si va per varie strade. Various are the roads to fame.

All’amico mondagli il fico, all’inimico il persico. Peel a fig for your friend, a peach for your enemy.

Alla pace si può sacrificar tutto. Anything for a quiet life.

Alla pignatta che bolle non s’accostano le mosche. Flies don’t light on a boiling pot.

Alla porta chiusa il diavolo volge le spalle. The devil turns away from a closed door.

Alle belle donno le più volte toccano i brutti uomini. Handsome women generally fall to the lot of ugly men.

Alle volte più vale la feccia che il vino. Sometimes the lees are better than the wine.

Alle volte si dà un uovo per un bue. Sometimes an egg is given for an ox.

All’impossibile nessuno è tenuto. No one is bound to do impossibilities.

All’onor chi manca d’un momento, non lo ripara in anni cento. A hundred years cannot repair a moment’s loss of honour.

All’opera si conosce il maestro. The workman is known by his work.

All’orsa paiono belli i suoi orsatti. The she-bear thinks her cubs pretty.

Al lume di lucerna ogni rustica par bella. By lamplight every country wench seems handsome.

Al nimico che fugge il ponte d’oro. For the flying enemy a golden bridge.

Al più potente ceda il più prudente. The most prudent yields to the strongest.

Al più triste porco vien la meglior pera. The worst pig gets the best pear.

Al primo colpo non casca l’albero. The tree does not fall at the first stroke.

Altra cosa è il dire, altra il fare. Saying is one thing, doing another.

Altri tempi altri costumi. Different times different manners.

A Lucca ti vidi, a Pisa ti conobbi. I saw you at Lucca, I knew you at Pisa.

A lunga corda tira chi la morte altrui desidera. He hauls at a long rope who expects another’s death.

Al villano, se gli porgi il dito, ei prende la mano. Give a clown your finger he’ll grasp your fist.

Ama l’amico tuo col vizio suo. Love your friend with his faults.

A mal passo l’onore. At a dangerous passage yield precedence.

Amami, poco, ma continua. Love me little and love me long.

Amante non sia che coraggio non ha. Let him not be a lover who has not courage.

Amato non sarai, se à te solo penserai. You will not be loved if you think of yourself alone.

Ambasciator non porta pena. An ambassador beareth no blame.

Amicizia de’grandi vicinanza di leoni. The friendship of the great is fraternity with lions.

Amicizia riconciliata piaga mal saldata. Reconciled friendship is a wound ill salved.

Amico da sternuti, il più che se ne cava è un Dio ti aiuta. He’s a friend at sneezing-time, – the most that can be got from him is a “God bless you.”

Amico d’ognuno, amico di nessuno. Everybody’s friend, nobody’s friend.

Amico, e guardati. A friend, and look to thyself.

A molti puzza l’ambra. Many stop their noses at ambergris.

Amor dà per mercede gelosia e rotta fede. Love’s merchandise is jealousy and broken faith.

Amor è cieco ma vede da lontano. Love is blind but sees afar.

Amor è il vero prezzo con cui si compra amore. Love is the true price at which love is bought.

Amor e signoria non voglion compagnia. Love and lordship like not fellowship.

Amor non conosce travaglio. Love knows not labour.

Amor regge il suo regno senza spada. Love rules his kingdom without a sword.

Amor regge senza legge. Love rules without law.

Amor, tosse, e fumo malamente si nascondono. Love, a cough, and smoke, are hard to hide.

Amor vero non diventa mai canuto. True love never grows old.

Amor vuol fede, e fede vuol fermezza. Love demands faith, and faith firmness.

A nave rotta ogni vento è contrario. To a crazy ship every wind is contrary.

Anche delle pecore contate ne mangia il lupo. Even counted sheep are eaten by the wolf.

Anche delle volpi si pigliano. Even foxes are caught.

Anche i boschi hanno l’orecchie. Even woods have ears.

Anche il diritto ha bisogno d’aiuto. Even the just has need of help.

Anche il mar, che è si grande, si pacifica. Even the sea, great as it is, grows calm.

Anche il pazzo talvolta dice qualche parola da savio. Even the fool says a wise word sometimes.

Anche il sole passa sopra il fango, e non s’imbratta. The sun passes over filth and is not defiled.

Anche la mosca ha la sua collera. Even a fly has its anger.

Anche la rana morderebbe se avesse denti. Even a frog would bite if it had teeth.

Anch’io so menar le oche a bere quando piove. I too can lead the geese to water when it rains.

Anco gli apostoli ebbero un Giuda. Even among the apostles there was a Judas.

Anco il cane col dimenar la coda si guadagna le spese. Even the dog gets bread by wagging his tail.

Anco il cavallo si stanca, sebben ha quattro piedi. Even a horse, though he has four feet, stumbles.

Ancor le volpi vecchie rimangono al laccio. Even old foxes are caught in the snare.

Anco trà le spine nascono le rose. Among thorns grow roses.

A nessun confortator mai duole la testa. No comforter’s head ever aches.

A nessuno piace la giustizia à casa sua. No one likes justice brought home to his own door.

Anni e peccati sempre sono più che non si dice. Years and sins are always more than owned.

A penna a penna si pela l’oca. Feather by feather the goose is plucked.

Aperta ha la porta chiunque apporta. Whoever brings finds the door open for him.

Apri bocca, e fa ch’io ti conosca. Open thy mouth that I may know thee.

Arco per rallentar, piaga non sana. Unbending the bow does not heal the wound.

Arditamente batte alla porta chi buone nuove apporta. He knocks boldly at the door who brings good news.

Arte o sorte ne cava macchia. Skill or fortune will efface the spots.

A’segnali si conoscono le balle. By their marks the bales are known.

Asino che ha fame mangia d’ogni strame. A hungry ass eats any straw.

Asino che ragghia poco fieno mangia. A braying ass eats little hay.

Asino punto convien che trotti. A goaded ass must needs trot.

A’sottili cascano le brache. Cunning men’s cloaks sometimes fall.

Aspetta il porco alla quercia. Look for the hog at the oak.

Aspettare e non venire, stare in letto e non dormire, ben servire e non gradire, son tre cose da morire. To expect what never comes, to lie in bed and not sleep, to serve well and not be advanced, are three things to die of.

Aspetta tempo e loco à far la tua vendetta, che la non si fa mai ben in fretta. Wait time and place to take your revenge, for it is never well done in a hurry.

Assai acqua passa per il molino, che il molinaio non se n’accorge. Much water passes by the mill that the miller perceives not.

Assai basta, e troppo guasta. Enough is enough, and too much spoils.

Assai ben balla à chi fortuna suona. He dances well to whom fortune pipes.

Assai dimanda chi ben serve e tace. Who serves well and says nothing makes claim enough.

Assai è ricco à chi non manca. He is rich enough who does not want.

Assai guadagna, chi vano sperar perde. He gains much who loses a vain hope.

Assai presto si fa quel che si fa bene. That is done soon enough which is well done.

Assai romor e poca lana, disse colui che tosava la porca. Great cry and little wool, as the man said who shaved the sow.

Assai sa, chi non sa, se tacer sa. He who knows nothing knows enough, if he knows how to be silent.

Assenza nemica di amore; quanto lontan dall’occhio, tanto dal cuore. Absence is a foe to love; out of sight out of mind.

A tal labbra, tal lattuga. Like lips, like lettuce.

A tal pozzo, tal secchio. Like well, like bucket.

A tal santo, tal offerta. Like saint, like offering.

A tavola non vi vuol vergogna. At table bashfulness is out of place.

A tela ordita Dio manda il filo. For a web begun God sends thread.

A torto si lamenta del mare, chi due volte ci vuol tornare. He ought not to complain of the sea who returns to it a second time.

Attacca il majo ad ogni uscio. He hangs the May-branch at every door. (Alluding to the Italian custom of young men hanging out May-branches overnight before the door of their mistress.)

A tutti non si adatta una sola scarpa. The same shoe does not fit every foot.

A un gran bugiardo ci vuol buona memoria. A great liar has need of good memory.

Aver sentito dire è mezza bugia. To have “heard say” is half a lie.

Aver un occhio alla gatta, e l’altro alla padella. To have one eye on the cat and another on the frying-pan.

A veste logorata poca fede vien prestata. A ragged coat finds little credit.

B

Baldezza di signor, cappel da matto. Faith in a lord, a cap for the fool.

Bandiera vecchia, onor di capitano. An old flag is an honour to its captain.

Barba bagnata è mezza rasa. A beard well lathered is half-shaved.

Basta un matto per casa. One fool is enough in a house.

Batti il buono e’ megliora, batti il cattivo e’ peggiora. Chastise the good and he will mend, chastise the bad and he will grow worse.

Batti il ferro quando è caldo. Strike while the iron is hot.

Batti il villano, e lo avrai per amico. Beat the churl and he will be your friend.

Beata colei che di vecchio pazzo s’innamora. Happy is she who is in love with an old dotard.

Bel colpo non ammazzò mai uccello. A fine shot never killed a bird.

Bella cosa tosto è rapita. All that’s fair must fade.

Bella femmina che ride, vuol dire borsa che piange. A beautiful woman smiling, bespeaks a purse weeping.

Bella promessa lega il matto. Fair promises bind fools.

Belle parole e mele fracide. Fair words and rotten apples.

Belle parole, ma guarda la borsa. Fair words, but look to your purse.

Belle parole non pascon i gatti. Fair words won’t feed a cat.

Bellezza e follia sovente in compagnia. Beauty and folly are often companions.

Ben ama chi non oblia. He loves well who does not forget.

Benchè la bugia sia veloce, la verità l’arriva. Though a lie be swift, truth overtakes it.

Benchè la volpe corra, i polli hanno le ale. Though the fox runs, the pullets have wings.

Ben è cieco chi non vede il sole. He is very blind who cannot see the sun.

Benedetto è quel male che vien solo. Blessed is the misfortune that comes alone.

Ben faremo, ben diremo, mal va la barca senza remo. Say what we will, do what we will, the boat goes but sorrily without oars.

Ben perduto è conosciuto. A good thing lost is valued.

Berretta in mano non fece mai danno. Cap in hand never did any harm.

Bevendo vien la sete. Thirst comes from drinking.

Bevi del vino, e lascia andar l’acqua al mulino. Drink wine and let water go to the mill.

Biasimare i principi è pericolo, e il lodarli è bugia. To censure princes is perilous, and to praise them is lying.

Bisogna unger le ruote, chi vuol che il carro corra. You must grease the wheels if you would have the car run.

Bisogna voltar la vela secondo il vento. You must shift your sail with the wind.

Bocca chiusa ed occhi aperti. Mouth shut and eyes open.

Bocca unta non può dir di no. A greased mouth cannot say no.

Brutta cosa è il povero superbo e ’l ricco avaro. A proud pauper and a rich miser are contemptible beings.

Bue vecchio, solco diritto. An old ox makes a straight furrow.

Bugie hanno corte le gambe. Lies have short legs.

Buona incudine non tema martello. A good anvil does not fear the hammer.

Buon appetito non vuol salsa. A good appetite does not want sauce.

Buona quella lima che doma il ferro senza strepito. It is a good file that cuts iron without making a noise.

Buona vita non può tenere, quel che serve senz’avere. He cannot lead a good life who serves without wages.

Buon cavallo e mal cavallo vuole sproni; buona femmina e mala femmina vuol bastoni. A good horse and a bad horse need the spur; a good woman and a bad woman need the stick.

Buon cavallo non ha bisogno de’ sproni. Never spur a willing horse.

Buon pagatore dell’altrui borsa è signore. He who pays well is master of other men’s purses.

Buon pagatore non si cura di dar buon pegno. A good paymaster does not hesitate to give good security.

Buon principio è la metà dell’opra. Well begun is half done.

Buon principio fa buon fine. A good beginning makes a good ending.

Buon vino fa buon sangue. Good wine makes good blood.

C

Cader della padella nelle bragie. To fall out of the frying-pan into the fire.

Cade un cavallo, che ha quattro gambe. A horse falls though he has four legs.

Cadono le miglior pere in bocca a’ porci. The best pears fall into the pigs’ mouths.

Calcio di cavalla non fece mai male a poledro. The kick of a mare never hurt a colt.

Can ch’abbaia non morde. A barking cur does not bite.

Can che morde non abbaia in vano. The dog that bites does not bark in vain.

Can dell’ortolano non mangia la lattuga, e non la lascia mangiare agli altri. The gardener’s dog does not eat lettuce and will not let others eat it.

Cane abbaia, e bue pasce. The dog barks and the ox feeds.

Cane affamato non ha paura di bastone. A hungry dog does not fear the stick.

Cane di cucina non fu mai buon per la caccia. A kitchen dog never was good for the chase.

Cane vecchio non abbaia indarno. An old dog does not bark for nothing.

Can ringhioso e non forzoso, guai alla sua pelle. The dog that is quarrelsome and not strong, woe to his hide.

Can vecchio non s’avvezza a portar collare. An old dog does not grow used to the collar.

Capo grasso, cervello magro. Fat head, lean brains.

Carestia prevista non venne mai. Dearth foreseen never came.

Carica volontaria non carica. A voluntary burthen is no burthen.

Caro costa quel che con preghi si compra. That costs dear which is bought with begging.

Caro mi vendi, e giusto mi misura. Sell me dear, and measure me fair.

Casa fatta, possession disfatta. The house completed, possession defeated.

Casa il figlio quando vuoi, e la figlia quando puoi. Marry your son when you please, your daughter when you can.

Casa mia, casa mia, per piccina che tu sia, tu mi sembri una badìa. Home, dear home, small as thou art, to me thou art a palace.

Castello che dà orecchia si vuol rendere. The fortress that parleys soon surrenders.

Cattiva è quella lana che non si può tingere. Bad is the wool that cannot be died.

Cattive nuove presto corrono. Ill news travels fast.

Cattivo è quel sacco che non si può rappezzare. Bad is the sack that will not bear patching.

Cavallo che corre non ha bisogna di sproni. Spur not a willing horse.

Cavallo ingrassato tira calci. A horse grown fat kicks.

Cavallo magro non tira calci. A lean horse does not kick.

Cavallo scappato da sè si gastiga. A runaway horse punishes himself.

Cava un chiodo, e pianta un cavicchio. He takes out a nail and puts in a pin.

Cerca cinque piedi al montone. He is in search of a ram with five feet.

Che ne può la gatta se la massaia è matta? How can the cat help it if the maid be a fool?

Che sarà, sarà. What will be, will be.

Chi abbisogna, non abbia vergogna. He that wants should not be bashful.

Chi affoga, grida ancor che non sia udito. He that is drowning shouts though he be not heard.

Chi altri giudica, sè condanna. Who judges others, condemns himself.

Chi altri tribola, sè non posa. Who troubles others has no rest himself.

Chi ama, crede. Who loves, believes.

Chiama l’arbore, ama il ramo. Who loves the tree loves the branch.

Chi ama me, ama il mio cane. Love me, love my dog.

Chi ama, teme. Who loves, fears.

Chi asino è, e cervo esser si crede, al saltar del fosso sè ne avvede. He who is an ass and thinks himself a stag, finds his mistake when he comes to leap the ditch.

Chi aspettar puole, ha ciò che vuole. He who can wait obtains what he wishes.

Chiave d’oro apre ogni porta. A gold key opens every door.

Chi ben ama, ben gastiga. Who loves well chastises well.

Chi ben comincia ha la metà dell’opra. Well begun is half done.

Chi ben congettura, bene indovina. He who guesses well prophesies well.

Chi ben dona, caro vende, se villano non è chi prende. Who gives well, sells dear, if the receiver be not a churl.

Chi ben dorme, non sente le pulci. He who sleeps well does not feel the fleas.

Chi ben vive, ben predica. He preaches well who lives well.

Chi biasima, vuol comprare. He who decries, wants to buy.

Chi burla, si confessa. He that jokes, confesses.

Chi burla, vien burlato. The biter is sometimes bit.

Chi butta via oro con lo mani lo cerca co’ piedi. He who throws away money with his hands will seek it with his feet.

Chi canta, i suoi mali spaventa. He who sings drives away sorrow.

Chi cerca mal, mal trova. Harm watch, harm catch.

Chi cerca, trova, e talor quel che non vorrebbe. He that seeks, finds, and sometimes what he would rather not.

Chi colomba si fa, il falcon se la mangia. He who makes himself a dove is eaten by the hawk.

Chi compra a tempo, compra a buon mercato. He who buys betimes buys cheaply.

Chi compra ciò che pagar non può, vende ciò che non vuole. He who buys what he cannot pay for, sells what he would rather not.

Chi compra il magistrato, forza è che venda la giustizia. He that buys the office of magistrate must of necessity sell justice.

Chi compra la scopa, può anche comprar il manico. He who buys the broom can also buy the handle.

Chi compra terra, compra guerra. Who buys land buys war.

Chi con l’occhio vede, di cuor crede. Seeing is believing.

Chi contra il cielo getta pietra, in capo gli ritorna. Who throws a stone at the sky, it falls back on his head.

Chi dà del pane a’ cani d’altri, spesso viene abbaiato da suoi. He who gives bread to others’ dogs is often barked at by his own.

Chi dà, insegna a rendere. Who gives, teaches a return.

Chi dà presto, dà il doppio. He gives twice who gives in a trice.

Chi della serpa è punto, ha paura della lucertola. He who has been stung by a serpent is afraid of a lizard.

Chi dice i fatti suoi, mal tacerà quelli d’altrui. He who tells his own affairs will hardly keep secret those of others.

Chi dimanda non commanda. He who demands does not command.

Chi dinanzi mi pinge, di dietro mi tinge. Who paints me before blackens me behind.

Chi di venti non è, di trenta non sa, di quaranta non ha, mai non sarà, nè mai saprà, nè mai havra. He that at twenty is not, at thirty knows not, and at forty has not, will never be, nor ever know, nor ever have.

Chi divide il miele con l’orso ha la minor parte. Who divides honey with the bear, will be like to get the lesser share.

Chi dorme con cani si leva con pulci. Who lies down with dogs gets up with fleas.

Chi dorme non piglia pesci. He who sleeps catches no fish.

Chi due lepri caccia, l’una non piglia e l’altra lascia. He who hunts two hares does not catch the one and lets the other escape.

Chi due padroni ha da servire, ad uno ha da mentire. He who serves two masters must lie to one of them.

Chi è al coperto quando piove, è ben matto se si muove. He who is under cover when it rains is a great fool if he stirs.

Chi è causa del suo male, pianga se stesso. He who is the cause of his own misfortune may bewail it himself.

Chi è dell’arte ne può ragionare. He who is of the craft can discourse about it.

Chi è diffamato, è mezzo impiccato. He who hath an ill name is half hanged. (Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.)

Chi è imbarcato col diavolo, ha da passar in sua compagnia. He who is embarked with the devil must make the passage in his company.

Chi è in difetto, è in sospetto. He that is in fault is in suspicion.

Chi è in inferno non sà ciò che sia cielo. He who is in hell knows not what heaven is.

Chi è in peccato, crede che tutti dicano male di lui. He who is guilty believes that all men speak ill of him.

Chi è nato per la forca mai s’annegherà. He that is born to be hanged will never be drowned.

Chi è ritto può cadere. He that stands may fall.

Chi erra nelle decine, erra nelle migliaja. Who errs in the tens errs in the thousands.

Chi esce di commissione, paga del suo. He that exceeds his commission must answer for it at his own cost.

Chi fa à suo modo, non gli duole il capo. He who does as he likes has no headache.

Chi fabbrica su quel d’altri, perde la calcina e le pietre. He who builds on another’s ground loses his stone and mortar.

Chi fabbrica vicino alla strada, ha molti sindicatori. He who builds by the roadside has many surveyors.

Chi fa il conto senza l’oste, gli convien farlo due volte. He that reckons without his host must reckon again.

Chi fa la casa in piazza, o la fa troppo alta o troppo bassa. He who builds a house in the market-place, builds either too high or too low.

Chi fa li fatti suoi, non s’imbratta le mani. He who doth his own business defileth not his fingers.

Chi fa quel ch’e’ può, non fa mai bene. Who does all he may never does well.

Chi fonda in sul popolo, fonda in sulla rena. Who builds on the mob builds on sand.

Chi frequenta la cucina, sente di fumo. Who frequents the kitchen smells of smoke.

Chi giura, è bugiardo. He who swears is a liar.

Chi ha buon cavallo in stalla, può andare a piedi. He who has a good horse in his stable may go on foot.

Chi ha buon vicino, ha buon mattino. He who has a good neighbour has a good morning.

Chi ha capo di cera, non vada al sole. He who has a head of wax must not walk in the sun.

Chi ha cattivo nome, è mezzo impiccato. He who has a bad name is half hanged.

Chi ha coda di paglia, ha sempre paura che gli pigli fuoco. He who has a straw tail is always in fear of its catching fire.

Chi ha compagno, ha padrone. He who has a mate has a master.

Chi ha da esser zanaiuolo, nasce col manico in mano. He who is meant to be a basket-carrier is born with the handle in his hand.

Chi ha danari da buttar via, metta gli operaj, e non vi stia. He who has money to throw away, let him employ workmen, and not stand by.

Chi ha denti, non ha pane; e chi ha pane, non ha denti. He who has teeth has no bread, and he who has bread has no teeth.

Chi ha de’ pani, ha de’ cani. He who has loaves has dogs.

Chi ha, è. Who has, is.

Chi ha il lupo per compagno, porti il cane sotto il mantello. Who makes the wolf his companion should carry a dog under his cloak.

Chi ha l’amor nel petto, ha lo sprone a’ fianchi. Who has love in his heart has spurs in his sides.

Chi ha lingua in bocca, può andar per tutto. Who has a tongue in his head can go all the world over.

Chi ha mala lingua, bisogna che abbia buone reni. He who has a bad tongue should have good loins.

Chi ha mangiato il diavolo, mangia anche le corna. He that has swallowed the devil may swallow his horns.

Chi ha passato il guado, sa quant’acqua tiene. He who has crossed the ford knows how deep it is.

Chi ha pazienza, ha i tordi grassi a un quattrin l’uno. Who has patience may get fat thrushes at a farthing apiece.

Chi ha pazienza, vede la sua vendetta. Who has patience sees his revenge.

Chi ha paura del diavolo, non fa roba. He that is afraid of the devil does not grow rich.

Chi ha paura d’ogni fronde, non vada al bosco. Who is in fear of every leaf must not go into the wood.

Chi ha poca vergogna, tutto il mondo è suo. Who hath little shame the world is all his own.

Chi ha qualche cosa, è qualche cosa. Who has something is something.

Chi ha ragion, teme; chi ha torto, spera. Who is in the right fears, who is in the wrong hopes.

Chi ha sospetto, di rado è in difetto. He who suspects is seldom at fault.

Chi ha tegoli di vetro, non tiri sassi al vicino. He who has a glass roof should not throw stones at his neighbour’s.

Chi ha terra, ha guerra. He who has land has war.

Chi ha un sol porco, facilmente l’ingrassa. He that has but one pig easily fattens it.

Chi la fa, se la dimentica, ma non chi la riceve. He who does the wrong forgets it, but not he who receives it.

Chi lingua ha, a Roma va. He who has a tongue, may go to Rome.

Chi mal comincia, peggio finisce. He who begins ill finishes worse.

Chi mal pensa, mal abbia. Evil be to him who evil thinks.

Chi mal semina, mal raccoglie. Who sows ill reaps ill.

Chi mangia peri col suo signore, non sceglie i migliori. He who eats pears with his master should not choose the best.

Chi molte cose comincia, poche ne finisce. He who begins many things finishes few.

Chi mostra i quattrini, mostra il giudizio. He that shows his money shows his judgment.

Chi muta paese, muta ventura. Who changes country changes luck.

Chi muta stato, muta fortuna. Who changes his condition changes fortune.

Chi nasce bella, nasce maritata. She who is born a beauty is born betrothed.

Chi nasce matto, non guarisce mai. Who is born a fool is never cured.

Chi nel fango casca, quanto più si dimena, più s’imbratta. When a man has fallen into the mire, the more he flounders the more he fouls himself.

Chi niente dice, mai non mente. He who says nothing never lies.

Chi niente sa, di niente dubita. He who knows nothing never doubts.

Chi non arde, non accende. Who glows not burns not.

Chi non dà fine al pensare, non dà principio al fare. Who has never done thinking never begins doing.

Chi non fallisce, non arricchisce. He that never fails never grows rich.

Chi non fa quando può, non fa quando vuole. He who does not when he can, cannot when he will.

Chi non ha cuore, abbia gambe. Who hath no courage must have legs.

Chi non ha danari in borsa, abbia miel in bocca. Who has no money in his purse must have honey in his mouth.

Chi non ha debito, non ha credito. He who is without debt is without credit.

Chi non ha figliuoli, non sa che cosa sia amore. Who has no children does not know what love is.

Chi non ha niente, non teme niente. Who has nothing fears nothing.

Chi non ha, non è. Who has not is not.

Chi non ha nulla, non è nulla. Who has nothing is nothing.

Chi non ha piaghe, se ne fa. Who has no plagues makes himself some.

Chi non ha quattrini, non abbia voglie. Who has no money must have no wishes.

Chi non ha testa, abbia gambe. Who has no head should have legs.

Chi non ha vergogna, tutto il mondo è suo. Who has no shame all the world is his own.

Chi non può batter il cavallo, batte la sella. Who cannot beat the horse let him beat the saddle.

Chi non può far la sua vendetta è debole, chi non vuole è vile. He who cannot revenge himself is weak, he who will not is contemptible.

Chi non può, sempre vuole. He who is unable is always willing.

Chi non rompe le uova, non fa la frittata. There is no making pancakes without breaking the eggs.

Chi non sa adulare, non sa conversare. Who knows not how to flatter knows not how to talk.

Chi non sa dissimulare, non sa regnare. Who knows not how to dissemble knows not how to reign.

Chi non sa orare, vada in mare a navigare. Who knows not how to pray let him go sail the sea.

Chi non s’arrischia non guadagna. He who risks nothing can gain nothing. (Nothing venture nothing have.)

Chi non stima altri che sè, è felice quanto un re. He who esteems none but himself is as happy as a king.

Chi non va, non vede; chi non prova, non crede. Who goes not, sees not; who proves not, believes not.

Chi non vede il fondo, non passi l’acqua. Don’t cross the water unless you see the bottom.

Chi non vuol affaticarsi in questo mondo, non ci nasca. He that will not strive in this world should not have come into it.

Chi non vuol piedi sul collo, non s’inchini. Who would not have feet set on his neck, let him not stoop.

Chi non vuol rassomigliarsi al lupo, non porti la sua pelle. Who does not wish to be like the wolf let him not wear its skin.

Chi non vuol servir ad un sol signore, a molti ha da servire. He who will not serve one master must needs serve many.

Chiodo con chiodo da se si cava. One nail drives out another.

Chi offende, non dimentichi. Let the injurer not forget.

Chi offende, non perdona mai. The injurer never forgives.

Chi offende, scrive nella rena; chi è offeso nel marmo. Who offends writes on sand; who is offended, on marble.

Chi paga debito, fa capitale. Who pays a debt creates capital.

Chi paga innanzi, è servito indietro. Who pays beforehand is served behindhand.

Chi parla, semina; chi tace, raccoglie. The talker sows, the listener reaps.

Chi perde, ha sempre torto. He who loses is always in fault.

Chi piglia l’anguilla per la coda, e la donna per la parola, può dir che non tiene niente. Who takes an eel by the tail and a woman at her word, may say he holds nothing.

Chi piglia leone in assenza, teme la talpa in presenza. Who takes a lion at a distance fears a mole present.

Chi pinge il fiore, non gli dà l’odore. He that paints a flower does not give it perfume.

Chi più intende, più perdona. Who knows most, forgives most.

Chi più sa, meno crede. Who knows most believes least.

Chi più sa, meno parla. Who knows most says least.

Chi pratica co’grandi, l’ultimo è a tavola, e’l primo a’strapazzi. Who dangles after the great is the last at table and the first to be cuffed.

Chi prende, si vende. Who accepts, sells himself.

Chi primo arriva al molin, primo macina. The first at the mill grinds first.

Chi raro viene, vien bene. Who comes seldom, is welcome.

Chi ride del mal d’altri, ha il suo dietro l’uscio. Who laughs at others’ ills, has his own behind the door.

Chi s’aiuta, Dio l’aiuta. God helps him who helps himself.

Chi sa la strada, può andar di trotto. He who knows the road can ride full trot.

Chi sa meglio nuotare, è il primo a sommergersi. The best swimmer is the first to drown himself.

Chi sa poco, presto lo dice. He who knows but little quickly tells it.

Chi semina spine, non vada scalzo. Who sows thorns should not go barefoot.

Chi serba, serba al gatto. Who saves, saves for the cat.

Chi serve al commune, ha cattivo padrone. He who serves the public has a sorry master.

Chi serve al commune, serve nessuno. Who serves the public, serves no one.

Chi servo si fa, servo s’aspetta. He who makes himself a servant is expected to remain a servant.

Chi si affoga, s’attaccherebbe a’ rasoj. A drowning man would catch at razors.

Chi si è scottato una volta, l’altra vi soffia su. He who has scalded himself once blows the next time.

Chi si fa fango, il porco lo calpestra. He that makes himself dirt is trod on by the swine.

Chi si fa pecorella, i lupi la mangiano. Make yourself a sheep and the wolves will eat you.

Chi si lascia mettere in spalla la capra, indi a poco è sforzato a portar la vacca. He who lets the goat be laid on his shoulders is soon after forced to carry the cow.

Chi si loda, s’imbroda. He who praises himself befouls himself.

Chi si marita in fretta, stenta adagio. Marry in haste, repent at leisure.

Chi si scusa, s’accusa. Who excuses himself accuses himself.

Chi si scusa senz’esser accusato, fa chiaro il suo peccato. Who excuses himself without being accused makes his fault manifest.

Chi soffia nella polvere, se ne empie gli occhi. He who blows upon dust fills his eyes with it.

Chi sta a vedere, ha due terzi del gioco. He who looks on has two-thirds of the game.

Chi sta bene, non si muova. Let him who is well off stay where he is.

Chi tace, acconsente. Silence gives consent.

Chi tardi arriva, mal alloggia. The late comer is ill lodged.

Chi tocca la pece, s’imbratta. He who touches pitch defiles himself.

Chi troppo abbraccia, nulla stringe. He who grasps too much holds nothing fast.

Chi tutto nega, tutto confessa. He who denies all confesses all.

Chi tutto vuole, tutto perde. All covet, all lose.

Chi un ne castiga, cento ne minaccia. He who chastises one threatens a hundred.

Chi va al mulino, s’infarina. He who goes to the mill gets befloured.

Chi va, lecca, e chi sta, secca. Who moves picks up, who stands still dries up.

Chi va piano, va sano, e chi va sano, va lontano. Who goes softly goes safely, and he that goes safely goes far.

Chi va, vuole; chi manda, non se ne cura. Who goes himself is in earnest, who sends is indifferent.

Chi vien dietro, serra l’uscio. The last comer shuts the door.

Chi vive a minuto, fà le spese a’ suoi ed agli altri. He who buys by the pennyworth keeps his own house and other men’s too.

Chi vive tra lupi, impara a urlare. He who lives among wolves learns to howl.

Chi vuol amici assai, ne pruovi pochi. Who would have many friends let him test but few.

Chi vuol ammazzar il suo cane, basta che dica ch’è arrabbiato. He who wants his dog killed has only to say he’s mad.

Chi vuol andar salvo per lo mondo, bisogna aver occhio di falcone, orecchio d’asino, viso di scimia, bocca di porcello, spalle di camello, e gambe di cervo. To go safely through the world you must have the eye of a falcon, the ear of an ass, the face of an ape, the mouth of a pig, the shoulders of a camel, and the legs of a deer.

Chi vuol arricchire in un anno, è impiccato in sei mesi. He who would be rich in a year gets hanged in six months.

Chi vuol assai, non dimandi poco. He who wants a good deal must not ask for a little.

Chi vuol con piacer mangiare, non veda cucinare. He who would relish his food must not see it cooked.

Chi vuol dar al cane, trova facilmente il bastone. He that would beat his dog can easily find a stick.

Chi vuol dell’acqua chiara, vada alla fonte. He who would have clear water should go to the fountain head.

Chi vuol esser lungo tempo vecchio, bisogna cominciar a buon’ora. He who would be long an old man must begin betimes.

Chi vuol esser mal servito tenga assai famiglia. He that would be ill served should keep plenty of servants.

Chi vuol goder la festa, digiuni la vigilia. He who would enjoy the feast should fast on the eve.

Chi vuol il lavoro mal fatto, paghi innanzi tratto. If you would have your work ill done, pay beforehand.

Chi vuol molti amici, non n’ha nessuno. He that seeks to have many friends never has any.

Chi vuol presto e ben, faccia da se. He that would have a thing done quickly and well must do it himself.

Chi vuol Quaresima corta, faccia debiti da pagar a Pasqua. Who wishes for a short Lent let him contract debts to be paid at Easter.

Chi vuol riposare, convien travagliare. He who would rest must work.

Chi vuol saldar piaga, non la maneggi. He that would heal a wound must not handle it.

Chi vuol turar la bocca a tutti, bisogna che abbia assai farina. He who would stop every man’s mouth must have a great deal of meal.

Ciascuno ha un matto nella manica. Every man has a fool in his sleeve.

Ci è chi vede male, e vorrebbe veder peggio. There are some who see ill, and would like to see worse.

Cieco è l’occhio, se l’animo è distratto. The eye is blind if the mind is absent.

Ciò che si usa, non ha scusa. That which is customary requires no excuse.

Città affamata tosto è espugnata. A starved town is soon forced to surrender.

Coda d’asino non fa crivello. An ass’s tail will not make a sieve.

Cogli la rosa, e lascia star le spine. Pluck the rose and leave the thorns.

Colle chiavi d’oro s’apre ogni porta. The golden key opens every door.

Col tempo e con la paglia, si maturan le nespole. With time and straw medlars ripen.

Col Vangelo si può diventare eretici. With the Gospel men may become heretics.

Come l’arbore è caduto, ognun vi corre colla scure a far legna. When the tree is down every one runs to it with a hatchet to cut wood.

Comincia a diventar cattivo chi si tien buono. He begins to grow bad who believes himself good.

Compra il letto d’un gran debitore. Buy the bed of a great debtor.

Con arte e con inganno si vive mezzo l’anno; con inganno e con arte si vive l’altra parte. With art and knavery we live through half the year; with knavery and art we live through the other. Con la pelle del cane si sana la morditura. With the skin of the dog its bite is cured.

Con la voglia cresce la doglia. With wishing comes grieving.

Con la volpe convien volpeggiare. With the fox one must play the fox.

Conoscon gl’infelici quali siano i veri amici. The unfortunate know who are their real friends.

Con poco cervello si governa il mondo. The world is governed with little brains.

Contento io, contento il mondo. I being satisfied, the world is satisfied.

Contesa vecchia tosto si fa nuova. An old quarrel is easily renewed.

Contro amore non è consiglio. Counsel is nothing against love.

Corpo satollo non crede al digiuno. The full belly does not believe in hunger.

Corre lontano chi non torna mai. He runs far who never turns.

Corta coda non para mosche. A short tail won’t keep off flies.

Corte Romana non vuol pecora senza lana. The court of Rome likes not sheep without wool.

Corvi con corvi non si cavan gli occhi. Ravens do not peck out ravens’ eyes.

Cosa fatta capo ha. A thing done has a head. (The exultation of an ancient sculptor on his satisfactorily completing the head of his statue.)

Costa men del don quel che si compra. What is bought is cheaper than a gift.

Credenza è morta, il mal pagar l’uccise. Credit is dead, bad pay killed it.

Credi al vantatore come al mentitore. Believe a boaster as you would a liar.

Cuor forte rompe cattiva sorte. A stout heart overcomes ill fortune.

D

Da cattivo pagatore togliete paglia. From a bad paymaster take straw– i.e. any trifle.

Da chi mi fido, mi guardi Iddio; da chi non mi fido, mi guarderò io. From those I trust God guard me, from those I mistrust I will guard myself.

Da chi ti dona, guardati. Beware of him who makes you presents.

Dà del tuo a chi ha del suo. Give to him that has.

Dà tempo al tempo. Give time time.

Dal conto sempre manca il lupo. The wolf is always left out of the reckoning.

Dal detto al fatto vi è un gran tratto. From saying to doing is a long way.

Dall’acqua cheta, mi guardi Iddio; che dalla corrente, mi guarderò io. From still water God keep me; from running water I will keep myself.

Dalla mano alla bocca si perde la zuppa. Between the hand and the month the soup is spilt.

Dalla neve o cotta o pesta non caverai altro che acqua. From snow whether cooked or pounded you will get nothing but water.

Dalla rapa non si cava sangue. There is no getting blood from a turnip.

Dallo stesso fior l’ape cava il miele, e la vespe il fiele. From the same flower the bee extracts honey and the wasp gall.

Dall’unghia si conosce il leone. The lion is known by his claws.

Danari di poveri e arme di poltroni si veggono spesso. Poor men’s money and cowards’ weapons are often flourished.

Dannoso è il dono che toglie la libertà. Injurious is the gift that takes away freedom.

Da stagione tutto è buono. Everything is good in its season.

Date bere al prete, che il chierico ha sete. Give the priest drink, for the clerk is thirsty.

De’ grandi e de’ morti o parla bene, o taci. Of the great and of the dead either speak well or say nothing.

Dei gusti non se ne disputa. There’s no disputing about tastes.

Dell’amico bene; del nemico nè bene nè male. Speak well of your friend; of your enemy neither well nor ill.

Del can che morde, il pelo sana. A hair of the dog cures the bite.

Del cervello ognuno si pensa d’averne più che parte. Every one thinks he has more than his share of brains.

Del cuoio d’altri si fan larghe stringhe. Broad thongs may be cut from other men’s leather.

Del giudizio, ognun ne vende. Of judgment every one has a stock on hand for sale.

Dell’albero, non si giudica dalla scorza. The tree is not to be judged of by its bark.

Della sua istessa colpa amor è scusa. Love is an excuse for its own faults.

Del senno di poi è piena ogni fossa. Every ditch is full of after-wit.

Del tempo passato non vi è appello. There is no appeal from time past.

Del tutto non è savio chi non sa far il pazzo. He is not a thorough wise man who cannot play the fool on occasion.

Del vero s’adira l’uomo. It is truth that makes a man angry.

Dentro da un orecchio e fuori dall’altro. In at one ear and out at the other.

De’ peccati de’ signori fanno penitenza i poveri. Poor men do penance for rich men’s sins.

Di’ all’amico il tuo segreto, e ti terrà il piè sul collo. Tell your secret to your friend and he will set his foot on your neck.

Di buona volontà sta pieno l’inferno. Hell is full of good intentions.

Di casa la gatta il topo non esce a corpo pieno. The mouse does not leave the cat’s house with a bellyful.

Dico a te figliuola, intendilo tu nuora. I speak to you, daughter; hear it daughter-in-law.

Di cosa che non ti cale, non dir nè ben nè male. Of what does not concern you say nothing, good or bad.

Di dove meno si pensa, si leva la lepre. The hare starts from where it is least expected.

Di’ il fatto tuo, e lascia far al diavolo. Tell everybody your business and the devil will do it for you.

Di mal erba non si fà buon fieno. Bad grass does not make good hay.

Dimmi con chi vai, e ti dirò chi sei. Tell me the company you keep, and I’ll tell you what you are.

Di notte tutti i gatti sono neri. By night all cats are black.

Di novello tutto par bello. Everything new is beautiful.

Dio ci manda la carne, ma il diavolo i cuochi. God sends meat and the devil sends cooks.

Dio guarisce, e il medico è ringraziato. God heals and the doctor has the thanks.

Dio manda il freddo secondo i panni. God sends cold according to the clothes.

Dio mi guardi da chi non bee. God save me from one who does not drink.

Dio mi guardi da chi studia un libro solo. God save me from him who studies but one book.

Dio mi guardi da chi ha una faccenda sola. God save me from him who has but one occupation.

Dio non manda se non quel che si può portare. God sends nothing but what can be borne.

Di questo mondo ciascuno n’ha quanto se ne toglie. Of this world each man has as much as he takes.

Dio ti salvi da un cattivo vicino, e da un principiante di violino. God save you from a bad neighbour, and from a beginner on the fiddle.

Di padre santalotto figlio diavolotto. The father a saint the son a devil.

Di picciol uomo spesso grand’ombra. A little man often casts a long shadow.

Di rado il medico piglia medicina. The doctor seldom takes physic.

Di rado visto, presto scordato. Seldom seen soon forgotten.

Dispicca l’impiccato, e impiccherà poi te. Take down a thief from the gallows and he will hang you up.

Di tre cose il diavol si fa insalata: di lingue d’avvocati, di dita di notari, e la terza è riservata. Of three things the devil makes a salad: advocates’ tongues, notaries’ fingers, and a third that shall be nameless.

Di tutte le arti maestro è amore. Love is master of all arts.

Di uovo bianco spesso pulcin nero. Out of a white egg often comes a black chick.

Doglia di moglie morta dura fino alla porta. Grief for a dead wife lasts to the door.

Dolce vivanda vuole salsa acerba. Sweet meat requires sour sauce.

Dolor di capo non toglie la corona reale. A crown is no cure for the headache.

Domanda al mio caro se sono ladro. Ask my chum if I am a thief.

Domandar chi nacque prima, l’uovo o la gallina. Ask which was born first, the hen or the egg.

Donar si chiama pescar. Giving is fishing.

Don differito, e troppo aspettato, non è donato, ma caro venduto. A gift delayed, and long expected, is not given, but sold dear.

Donna che dona di rado è buona; donna che piglia è nell’ altrui artiglia. The woman who gives is seldom good; the woman who accepts is in the power of the giver.

Donna di finestra, uva di strada. A woman who loves to be at the window is like a bunch of grapes on the wayside.

Donna si lagna, donna si duole, donna s’ammala quando la vuole. A woman’s in pain, a woman’s in woe, a woman is ill, when she likes to be so.

Donne, asini, e noci voglion le mani atroci. Women, asses, and nuts, require strong hands.

Donne, preti, e polli non son mai satolli. Women, priests, and poultry, never have enough.

Dopo che i cavalli sono presi, serrar la stalla. To lock the stable after the horses are taken.

Dopo il radere non ci è più che tosare. After shaving there is nothing to shear.

Dopo un papa se ne fa un altro. After one pope another is made.

Dove bisognan rimedj, il sospirar non vale. Where remedies are needed, sighing avails not.

Dove ci manca la pelle di leone, convien cucirvi cuoi di volpe. Where the lion’s skin falls short, piece it out with that of the fox.

Dove è grand’amore, quivi è gran dolore. Where there is great love there is great pain.

Dove è il Papa, ivi è Roma. Where the Pope is there is Rome.

Dov’è l’amore, là è l’occhio. Where love is there the eye is.

Dove è manco cuore, quivi è più lingua. Where there is least heart there is most tongue.

Dove entra il bere, se n’esce il sapere. When the wine’s in the wit’s out.

Dove entra il vino, esce la vergogna. When wine enters modesty departs.

Dove il dente duole, la lingua v’inciampa. The tongue goes to where the tooth aches.

Dove il fiume ha più fondo, fa minor strepito. Where the river is deepest it makes least noise.

Dove la siepe è bassa, ognun vuol passare. Where the hedge is low every one will cross it.

Dove la voglia è pronta, le gambe son leggiere. When the will is prompt the legs are nimble.

Dove l’oro parla, ogni lingua tace. When gold speaks every tongue is silent.

Dove l’uscio è basso, bisogna inchinarsi. He must stoop that has a low door.

Dove non basta la pelle del leone, bisogna attaccarvi quella della volpe. Where the skin of the lion does not suffice, we must join that of the fox.

Dove non è egualità, mai perfetto amor sarà. Where there is not equality there never can be perfect love.

Dove non si crede, l’acqua rompe. The water breaks out where it is not expected.

Dove non sono i cani, la volpe è re. Where there are no dogs the fox is a king.

Dove sono molti cuochi, la minestra sarà troppo salata. Where there are too many cooks the soup will be too salty.

Dove il lupo trovò un agnello, ve ne cerca uno novello. Where the wolf found a lamb he looks for another.

Dove va la nave, può andar il brigantino. Where the ship goes the brig can go.

Due donne e un’oca fanno un mercato. Two women and a goose make a market.

Due teste son migliori che una. Two heads are better than one.

Dura più l’incudine che il martello. The anvil lasts longer than the hammer.

Duro a vecchia licenza nuova legge. Hard is a new law imposed on old licence.

Duro con duro non fece mai buon muro. Hard upon hard never made a good wall.

E

E ardito il gallo sopra il suo letame. The cock is bold on his own dunghill.

E bello predicare il digiuno a corpo pieno. It is easy to preach fasting with a full belly.

E bene aver degli amici per tutto. It is good to have friends everywhere.

E buon comprare quando un altro vuol vendere. It is good to buy when another wants to sell.

E buon tenere i panni a chi nuota. It is good to hold the clothes of one who is swimming.

E come l’ancora, che sta sempre nel mare e non impara mai nuotare. He is like the anchor that is always in the sea, yet does not learn to swim.

E facile far paura al toro dalla finestra. It is easy to threaten a bull from a window.

Egli ben sa dove la spina il punge. He knows well where the thorn pricks him.

Egli dà le pecore in guardia al lupo. He sets the wolf to guard the sheep.

Egli è buono a mandarlo per la morte. He would be a good one to send for death.

Egli ha bel dir bugie chi viene da lontano. He may lie safely who comes from afar.

Egli ha fatto come quel Perugino, che subito che gli fu rotto il capo, corse a casa per la celata. He has done like the Perugian who, when his head was broken, ran home for his helmet.

Egli misura gli altri con la sua canna. He measures others with his own yard.

Egli sa dove il diavolo tiene la coda. He knows where the devil carries his tail.

Egli scannerebbe una cimice per bersi il sangue. He would slaughter a bug to drink its blood.

Egli vende l’uccello in su la frasca. He sells the bird on the branch.

Egli venderebbe sino alla sua parte del sole. He would sell even his share of the sun.

Ei grida pria d’esser battuto. He cries out before he is hurt.

E la peggior ruota quella che fa più rumore. The worst wheel creaks most.

E mala cosa esser cattivo, ma è peggiore esser conosciuto. It is a bad thing to be a knave, but worse to be known for one.

E mal rubare a casa de’ ladri. It is not easy to steal in thieves’ houses.

E meglio aver oggi un uovo che domani una gallina. Better have an egg to-day than a hen to-morrow.

E meglio aver un’ape sola che un esercito di mosche. Better have one bee than a host of flies.

E meglio cader dalla finestra che dal tetto. Better to fall from the window than the roof.

E meglio dare che aver a dare. Better give than have to give.

E meglio dar la lana che la pecora. Better give the wool than the sheep.

E meglio domandar che errare. Better to ask than go astray.

E meglio esser capo di gatto che coda di leone. Better be the head of a cat than the tail of a lion.

E meglio esser capo di lucertola che coda di dracone. Better be the head of a lizard than the tail of a dragon.

E meglio esser solo che mal accompagnato. Better alone than in bad company.

E meglio esser uccel di bosco che di gabbia. Better be a bird of the wood than a bird in the cage.

E meglio il cuor felice che la borsa. A happy heart is better than a full purse.

E meglio invidia che pietà. Better be envied than pitied.

E meglio lasciare che mancare. It is better to leave than to lack.

E meglio perder la sella che il cavallo. Better lose the saddle than the horse.

E meglio piegare che rompere. Better bend than break.

E meglio sdrucciolare col piè che con la lingua. Better slip with the foot than with the tongue.

E meglio sentir cantar il rossignuolo che rodere il topo. It is better to hear the nightingale sing than the mouse gnaw.

E meglio stuzzicare un cane che una vecchia. It is better to irritate a dog than an old woman.

E meglio tardi che mai. Better late than never.

E meglio una volta che mai. Better once than never.

E meglio un magro accordo che una grassa sentenza. Better a lean agreement than a fat sentence.

E meglio un papa vivo che dieci morti. One living pope is better than ten dead.

E meglio un prossimo vicino che un lontano cugino. A near neighbour is better than a distant cousin.

E meglio un uccello in gabbia che cento fuori. A bird in the cage is worth a hundred at large.

E meglio vin torbo che acqua chiara. Thick wine is better than clear water.

E’ non mi morse mai cane ch’io non avessi del suo pelo. A dog never bit me but I had some of his hair.

E’ non si grida mai al lupo che non sia in paese. There is never a cry of “Wolf!” but the wolf is in the district.

E padron del mondo chi lo disprezza, schiavo chi lo apprezza. He is the world’s master who despises it, its slave who prizes it.

E padrone della vita altrui chi la sua sprezza. He is master of another man’s life who is indifferent to his own.

E picciola la punta della spina, ma chi sente il dolore non se ne dimentica. The point of the thorn is small, but he who has felt it does not forget it.

E ricco chi non ha debiti. He is rich who owes nothing.

Erra il prete all’altare. The priest errs at the altar.

Errore non fa pagamento. Error is no payment.

E sempre buono aver due corde al suo arco. It is always good to have two strings to your bow.

E troppo un nemico, e cento amici non bastano. One enemy is too many, and a hundred friends are too few.

E un cattivo boccone quello che affoga. It’s a bad mouthful that chokes.

E un mal giuoco dove nessun guadagna. It is a bad game where nobody wins.

E’ va più d’un asino al mercato. There goes more than one ass to market.

F

Fa bene, e non guardare a chi. Do good, and care not to whom.

Facilmente si trova un bastone per dar ad un cane. It is easy to find a stick to beat a dog.

Fammi indovino, e ti farò ricco. Make me a prophet and I will make you rich.

Fanciulli piccioli, dolor di testa; fanciulli grandi, dolor di cuore. Little children and headaches, great children and heartaches.

Fa quel che devi, e n’arrivi ciò che potrà. Do what you ought come what may.

Far conto dell’uovo non ancor nato. Don’t reckon your eggs before they are laid.

Far due chiodi ad un caldo. To make two nails at one heat.

Far d’una mosca un elefante. To make an elephant of a fly.

Fare e dire son due cose. Saying and doing are two things.

Farò quel che potrò, e un poco manco per potervi durare. I will do what I can, and a little less, to be able to continue at it.

Fatta la legge, trovata la malizia. No sooner is the law made than its evasion is discovered.

Fatti di miele, e ti mangeran le mosche. Make yourself honey and the flies will eat you.

Felice non è chi d’esser non sa. He is not happy who knows it not.

Femmine e galline per troppo andar si perdono. Women and hens are lost by too much gadding.

Fidati era un buon uomo, Nontifidare era meglio. Trust was a good man, Trust-not was a better.

Figlie e vetri son sempre in pericolo. Lasses and glasses are always in danger.

Finche vi è fiato vi è speranza. While there’s life there’s hope.

Fino alla morte non si sa la sorte. Until death there is no knowing what may befall.

Forte è l’aceto di vin dolce. Strong is the vinegar of sweet wine.

Fortuna, e dormi. Fortune, and go to sleep.

Fra dir e far si guastano scarpe assai. Between saying and doing many a pair of shoes is worn out.

Fra galantuomini parola è istrumento. Among men of honour a word is a bond.

Fra gli amici guardami Iddio, che fra’ nemici mi guarderò io. God keep me from my friends, from my enemies I will keep myself.

Frà Modesto non fu mai priore. Friar Modest never was a prior.

Freno indorato non megliora il cavallo. A golden bit makes none the better horse.

G

Gatta inguantata non prese mai topo. A muffled cat is no good mouser.

Gatto rinchiuso doventa leone. A cat pent up becomes a lion.

Gente di confini, o ladri o assassini. Borderers are either thieves or murderers.

Gettar la fune dietro la secchia. To throw the rope after the bucket.

Gettar le margherite ai porci. To cast pearls before swine.

Gli alberi grandi fanno più ombra che frutto. Large trees give more shade than fruit.

Gli errori del medico gli copre la terra. The earth covers the errors of the physician.

Gl’Italiani saggi innanzi il fatto, i Tedeschi nel fatto, i Francesi dopo il fatto. The Italians are wise before the act, the Germans in the act, the French after the act.

Gli onori mutano i costumi. Honours change manners.

Gli stornelli son magri perchè vanno in frotta. Starlings are lean because they go in flocks.

Gli uomini alla moderna, e gli asini all’antica. Men after the modern fashion, and asses after the ancient.

Gli uomini fanno la roba, e le donne la conservano. Men make wealth, and women preserve it.

Gli uomini hanno gli anni ch’e’ sentono, e le donne quelli che mostrano. Men are as old as they feel, and women as they look.

Gola d’adulatori, sepolcro aperto. The flatterer’s throat is an open sepulchre.

Granata nuova spazza ben la casa. New brooms sweep clean.

Granata nuova, tre dì buona. A new broom is good for three days.

Gran chiesa e poca divozione. A great church and little devotion.

Gran fumo, poco arrosto. Great smoke, little roast.

Grassa cucina, magro testamento. A fat kitchen, a lean testament.

Guarda che tu non lasci la coda nell’uscio. Take care you don’t let your tail be caught in the door.

Guarda innanzi che tu salti. Look before you leap.

Guardatevi dal “Se io avessi sospettato.” Beware of “Had I but known.”

Guardati da aceto di vin dolce. Beware of the vinegar of sweet wine.

Guardati da alchimista povero. Beware of a poor alchemist.

Guardati da chi non ha che perdere. Beware of one who has nothing to lose.

Guardati dall’occasione, e ti guarderà Dio da’ peccati. Keep yourself from opportunities and God will keep you from sins.

Guerra cominciata, inferno scatenato. War begun, hell unchained.

I

I bocconi grossi spesso strozzano. Big mouthfuls often choke.

I buoni nuotatori alfin s’affogano. Good swimmers are drowned at last.

I cani abbaiano a chi non conoscono. Dogs bark at those they don’t know.

I cenni de’ padroni sono commandamenti. Masters’ hints are commands.

I colpi non si danno a patti. Blows are not given upon conditions.

I danari del comune sono come l’acqua benedetta, ognun ne piglia. Public money is like holy water, every one helps himself to it.

I danari sono tondi, e girano. Money is round, and rolls.

I frutti proibiti sono i più dolci. Forbidden fruit is the sweetest.

I gran dolori sono muti. Great griefs are mute.

Il bugiardo deve aver buona memoria. Liars should have good memories.

Il buon marinaro si conosce al cattivo tempo. The good seaman is known in bad weather.

Il buono a qualcosa è l’asino del publico. He that is good for something is the ass of the public.

Il buono è buono, ma il miglior vince. Good is good, but better beats it.

Il buon pagatore dell’altrui borsa è signore. He who pays well is master of another’s purse.

Il buon pastore tosa, e non scortica. The good shepherd shears, not flays.

Il buon sangue giammai non può mentire. Good blood never lies.

Il campanello di camera è il peggior suono che si possa avere negli orecchi. The chamber-bell (chamber-clapper, or curtain lecture) is the worst sound one can have in his ears.

Il can battuto dal bastone, ha paura dell’ombra. The dog that has been beaten with a stick is afraid of its shadow.

Il can che vuol mordere, non abbaia. The dog that means to bite don’t bark.

Il cane scottato dall’acqua calda, ha paura della fredda. The scalded dog fears cold water.

Il cieco non dee giudicar dei colori. A blind man is no judge of colours.

Il danaro è fratello del danaro. Money is money’s brother.

Il danaro è un compendio del poter umano. Money is an epitome of human power.

Il diavolo dove non può mettere il capo vi mette la coda. Where the devil cannot put his head he puts his tail.

Il diavolo è cattivo, perchè è vecchio. The devil is bad because he is old.

Il diavolo non è cosi brutto come si dipinge. The devil is not so ugly as he is painted.

Il diavolo, quand’è vecchio, si fa romito. When the devil is old he turns hermit.

Il diavolo tenta tutti, ma l’ozioso tenta il diavolo. The devil tempts all, but the idle man tempts the devil.

Il diavolo vuol tentar Lucifero. The devil will tempt Lucifer.

Il domandar costa poco. Asking costs little.

Il fatto non si può disfare. What’s done can’t be undone.

Il fin del corsare è annegare. The end of the corsair is to drown.

Il fin loda l’opera. The end praises the work.

Il fiume non s’ingrossa d’acqua chiara. The river does not swell with clear water.

Il fuoco fa saltar le vespe fuor del vespaio. Fire drives the wasp out of its nest.

Il fuoco non s’estingue con fuoco. Fire is not quenched with fire.

Il leone ebbe bisogno del topo. The lion had need of the mouse.

Il lungo giorno nò, ma il cuor fa l’opera. It is not the long day, but the heart that does the work.

Il lupo non è sempre lupo. The wolf is not always a wolf.

Il lupo piange la pecora, poi se la mangia. The wolf bemoans the sheep, and then eats it.

Il male per libra viene, va via per once. Ill luck comes by pounds and goes away by ounces.

Il mangiare insegna a bere. Eating teaches drinking.

Il medico pietoso fa la piaga puzzolente. The tender surgeon makes the wound gangrene.

Il meglio è nemico del bene. Better is an enemy to well.

Il migliore è meno caro. The best is the cheapest.

Il mirto è sempre mirto, benchè sia tra l’ortiche. The myrtle is always a myrtle, though it be among nettles.

Il molino non macina senz’acqua. The mill does not grind without water.

Il mondo è dei flemmatici. The world belongs to the phlegmatic.

Il mondo è di chi ha pazienza. The world is for him who has patience.

Il mondo è fatto a scale, chi le scende e chi le sale. The world is like a staircase; some go up, others go down.

Il mondo sta con tre cose: fare, disfare, e dare ad intendere. The world wags on with three things: doing, undoing, and pretending.

Il mortaio sa sempre d’aglio. The mortar always smells of garlic.

Il nemico ti fa savio. Your enemy makes you wise.

Il pane degli altri è troppo salato. Others’ bread is too salt.

Il pane degli altri ha sette croste. Others’ bread has seven crusts.

Il pane mangiato è presto dimenticato. Eaten bread is soon forgotten.

Il parer proprio non ha mai torto. A man’s own opinion is never wrong.

Il pesce grande mangia il picciolo. The big fish eat the little.

Il più difficile è il metter il piè in istaffa. The difficult thing is to get foot in the stirrup.

Il più duro passo è quello della soglia. The hardest step is that over the threshold.

Il più forte ha sempre ragione. The strongest is always in the right.

Il primier colpo per due colpi vale. The first blow is as good as two.

Il riso fa buon sangue. Laughter makes good blood.

Il sacco de’ mendici non ha fondo. The beggar’s wallet has no bottom.

Il sangue del soldato fa grande il capitano. The soldier’s blood exalts the captain.

Il satollo non crede al digiuno. The well-fed man does not believe in hunger.

Il secondo pensiero è il migliore. Second thoughts are best.

Il soldato per far male è ben pagato. The soldier is well paid for doing mischief.

Il tempo buono viene una volta sola. The good time comes but once.

Il tempo è una lima sorda. Time is an inaudible file.

I lupi non si mangiano l’un l’altro. Wolves do not eat each other.

Il veleno si spegne col veleno. Poison quells poison.

I matrimonj sono, non come si fanno, ma come riescono. Marriages are not as they are made, but as they turn out.

I matti fanno le feste, ed i savj le godono. Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them.

I migliori alberi sono i più battuti. The best trees are the most beaten.

I mosconi rompon le tele de’ ragni. Big flies break the spider’s web.

In bocca chiusa non cade pera. No pear falls into a shut mouth.

In bocca chiusa non c’entran mosche. No flies get into a shut mouth.

In cammino battuto erba non cresce. No grass grows on a beaten road.

In casa, Argo; di fuori, talpa. Argus at home, a mole abroad.

Indarno si tende la rete in vista degli uccelli. It is in vain to lay a net in sight of the birds.

In guaina d’oro coltello di piombo. In a golden sheath a leaden knife.

In lungo viaggio, anche una paglia pesa. On a long journey even a straw is heavy.

In picciol tempo passa ogni gran pioggia. A heavy shower is soon over.

In quella casa è poca pace ove la gallina canta, ed il gallo tace. There is little peace in that house where the hen crows and the cock is mute.

Insegnando s’impara. We learn by teaching.

In tempo di guerra ogni cavallo ha soldo. In war time there is pay for every horse.

In terra di ciechi beato chi ha un occhio. In the country of the blind blessed is he that hath one eye.

In un giorno non si fe’ Roma. Rome was not built in a day.

Invano si pesca, se l’amo non ha esca. It is vain to fish if the hook is not baited.

I paragoni son tutti odiosi. Comparisons are odious.

I pazzi crescono senza innaffiarli. Fools grow without watering.

I pazzi per lettera sono i maggiori pazzi. There is no fool like a learned fool.

I piccioli ladri s’impiccano per la gola, i grossi per la borsa. Little thieves are hanged by the neck, great ones by the purse.

I principi hanno le braccia lunghe. Princes have long arms.

I salici son deboli, e pur legano le legne più grosse. Willows are weak, yet serve to bind bigger wood.

L

La barba non fa il filosofo. The beard does not make the philosopher.

L’abito è una seconda natura. Custom is second nature.

L’abito non fa il monaco. The gown does not make the friar.

La bonaccia burrasca minaccia. A calm portends a storm.

La borsa degli amanti va legata con fil di ragno. Lovers’ purses are tied with cobwebs.

La botte non può dare se non del vino ch’ella ha. The cask can give no other wine than that it contains.

La botte piena non fa rumore. The full cask makes no noise.

La buona fama è come il cipresso: una volta tagliato non rinverdisce più. Good repute is like the cypress: once cut, it never puts forth leaf again.

La buona roba non fu mai cara. Good ware was never dear.

La carta non diventa rossa. Paper does not blush.

La chiave d’oro apre ogni porta. The golden key opens every door.

La coda sempre è la più cattiva da scorticare. The tail is always the hardest part to flay.

La commodità fa l’uomo ladro. Opportunity makes the thief.

La coscienza vale per mille testimonj. Conscience is as good as a thousand witnesses.

La diritta è serva della mancina. The right hand is slave to the left.

La donna all’improvviso, e l’uomo a caso pensato. Woman (decides), impromptu; man, on reflection.

La fame caccia il lupo del bosco. Hunger drives the wolf out of the wood.

La fame è il meglior intingolo. Hunger is the best sauce.

La fame muta le fave in mandole. Hunger transmutes beans into almonds.

La forca è fatta per i disgraziati. The gallows was made for the unlucky.

La fortuna aiuta i pazzi. Fortune helps fools.

La fuga del nemico abbi sospetta. Look with suspicion on the flight of an enemy.

La gatta vorrebbe mangiar pesci, ma non pescare. The cat loves fish, but is loth to wet her feet.

Lagrime di donna, fontana di malizia. Women’s tears are a fountain of craft.

La guerra fa i ladri, e la pace gl’impicca. War makes robbers, and peace hangs them.

La luna non cura dell’abbaiar de’ cani. The moon does not heed the baying of dogs.

La madre pietosa fa la figliuola tignosa. A tender-hearted mother makes a scabby daughter.

La mal erba cresce presto. Ill weeds grow apace.

L’amicizia si de’ sdruscire, non istracciare. Friendship should be unpicked, not rent.

L’amico non è conosciuto finchè non è perduto. A friend is not known till he is lost.

L’ammalato dorme quando il debitor non dorme. The sick man sleeps when the debtor cannot.

La moglie e il ronzino piglia dal vicino. For a wife and a horse go to your neighbour.

La mosca che punge la tartaruga si rompe il becco. The fly that bites the tortoise breaks its beak.

La mosca ha la sua milza. Even a fly has its spleen.

La nave non va senza il battello. The ship does not go without the boat.

La necessità torna in volontà. Necessity becomes will.

La nobiltà è una povera vivanda in tavola. High birth is a poor dish on the table.

La padella dice al paiuolo: Fatti in là, che tu mi tigni. The pan says to the pot: Keep off, or you’ll smutch me.

La parola non è mal detta, se non è mal presa. Nothing is ill said if it is not ill taken.

La paura guarda la vigna. Fear guards the vineyard.

La pelle d’asino è usa al bastone. The ass’s hide is used to the stick.

La più lunga strada è la più prossima a casa. The longest way round is the shortest way home.

La porta di dietro è quella che ruba la casa. The back door is the one that robs the house.

La prima scodella piace ad ognuno. The first dish pleases every one.

La Quaresima che par così lunga, alla tavola d’altri poco dura. Lent, which seems so long, is short at other men’s tables.

L’aquila non fa guerra ai ranocchi. The eagle does not war against frogs.

La rana non morde perchè non può. The frog does not bite because it cannot.

L’armi de’ poltroni non tagliano, nè forano. Cowards’ weapons neither cut nor pierce.

L’armi portan pace. Arms carry peace.

La roba non è di chi la fa, ma di chi la gode. Wealth is not his who makes it, but his who enjoys it.

Lascia la burla quando più piace. Drop the jest when it is most amusing.

La scusa non richiesta presuppone errore. An unasked for excuse infers transgression.

L’asino non conosce la coda, se non quando non l’ha più. The ass does not know the worth of his tail till he has lost it.

La superbia andò a cavallo, e tornò a piedi. Pride went out on horseback, and returned on foot.

La veste bianca non fa molinaro. The white coat does not make the miller.

La vita de’ medici, l’anima de’ preti, e la roba de’ legisti sono in gran pericolo. The lives of doctors, the souls of priests, and the property of lawyers, are in great danger.

La volontà è tutto. The will is everything.

La volpe consiglia le altre a tagliarsi la coda, per aver lasciata la propria al laccio. The fox advised the others to cut off their tails, because he had left his own in the trap.

La volpe dice che l’uva è agresta. The fox said the grapes were sour.

Le amicizie son a buon conto quando si comprano a sberrettate. Friendships are cheap when they can he bought by doffing the hat.

Le bestemmie fanno come le processioni: ritornano donde partirono. Curses are like processions: they return to whence they set out.

Le buone derrate vuotano la borsa. Good bargains empty the purse.

Le cattive nuove sono le prime. Bad news is the first to come.

Le cose non sono come sono, ma come si vedono. Things are not as they are, but as they are regarded.

Le disgrazie non vengon mai sole. Misfortunes never come single.

Le donne dicono sempre il vero, ma non lo dicono tutto intero. Women always speak the truth, but not the whole truth.

Le donne sanno un punto più del diavolo. Women know a point more than the devil.

Le donne si fanno rosse per non arrossire. Women rouge that they may not blush.

Le feste sono belle a casa d’altri. ’Tis good feasting in other men’s houses.

Legami mani e piei, e gettami tra’ miei. Tie me hand and foot and throw me among my own people.

Le insalate pazze, le fanno i savj. When wise men play mad pranks they do it with a vengeance.

L’elefante non sente il morso della pulce. The elephant does not feel a flea-bite.

Le leggi sono fatte pei tristi. Laws were made for rogues.

Le lucciole non sono lanterne. Glowworms are not lanterns.

Le minacce son arme del minacciato. Threats are arms for the threatened.

Le parole non pascono i gatti. Words won’t feed cats.

Le parole son femmine, e i fatti son maschi. Words are female, deeds are male.

Le piccole spese son quelle che vuotano la borsa. It is the petty expenses that empty the purse.

Le rose cascano, e le spine rimangono. The roses fall, and the thorns remain.

Le secchie si mettono a combattere col pozzo, e ne portano la testa rotta. The buckets take to fighting with the well, and get their heads broken.

Le siepi non hanno occhi, ma orecchie. Hedges have no eyes, but they have ears.

Le vesti degli avvocati sono foderate dell’ostinazion dei litiganti. Lawyers’ robes are lined with the obstinacy of suitors.

L’hai tolta bella? Tuo danno. You have married a beauty? So much the worse for you.

L’indugiare è pericoloso. Delays are dangerous.

L’infermo ha libertà di dire il tutto. The sick man is free to say all.

L’Inglese italianizzato, un diavolo incarnato. The Italianised Englishman is a devil incarnate.

L’occhio del padrone ingrassa il cavallo. The eye of the master fattens the horse.

Loda il mar, e tienti alla terra. Praise the sea and keep on land.

Lontano dagli occhi, lontano dal cuore. Far from the eyes, far from the heart.

L’oro non compra tutto. Gold does not buy everything.

Lo sparagno è il primo guadagno. Savings are the first gain.

L’ospite, ed il pesce dopo tre dì rincresce. A guest and a fish stink in three days.

L’ultimo vestito ce lo fanno senza tasche. Our last garment is made without pockets.

Lunga lingua, corta mano. Long tongue, short hand.

Lupo non mangia lupo. Wolves don’t eat wolves.

M

Mai si fa cosa ben in fretta, che il fuggir la peste e i rumori, e pigliar pulci. Nothing is ever well done in a hurry, except flying from the plague or from quarrels, and catching fleas.

Mai si serra una porta, che non si apra un’altra. One door never shuts but another opens.

Male in vacche, e peggio in buoi. Ill in kine and worse in beeves.

Mangiando viene l’appetito. Appetite comes in eating.

Mangia tanto una rozza quanto un buon cavallo. A jade eats as much as a good horse.

Matta è quella pecora che si confessa al lupo. ’Tis a silly sheep that confesses to the wolf.

Medico, cura te stesso. Physician, heal thyself.

Meglio è aver il marito senza amore che con gelosia. It is better to have a husband without love than jealous.

Meglio è poco che niente. Better aught than nought.

Meglio tardi che mai. Better late than never.

Meglio un prossimo vicino che un lontano cugino. Better a near neighbour than a distant cousin.

Mentre l’erba cresce il cavallo muore di fame. Whilst the grass grows the steed starves.

Mettersi prima il giuppone che la camicia. To put on one’s doublet before one’s shirt. (To put the cart before the horse.)

Mille verisimili non fanno un vero. A thousand probabilities do not make one truth.

Misura tre volte, e taglia una. Measure three times and cut once.

Molti si fan scrupolo di sputare in chiesa, e poi inbrattano l’altare. Many scruple to spit in church, and afterwards defile the altar.

Molti son bravi quando l’inimico fugge. Many are brave when the enemy flies.

Molti voglion l’albero che fingon di rifiutar il frutto. Many desire the tree who pretend to refuse the fruit.

Molto fumo, e poco arrosto. Much smoke, and little roast.

Monaco vagabondo non disse mai lode del suo monastero. A vagabond monk never spoke well of his convent.

Morso di pecora non passa mai la pelle. A sheep’s bite is never more than skin deep.

Morta la bestia, morto il veleno. The beast once dead, the venom is dead.

Morto io, morto ognun, ed il porco. When I’m dead, everybody’s dead, and the pig too.

Muove la coda il cane, non per te, ma per il pane. The dog wags his tail, not for you, but for bread.

Muraglia bianca, carta di matto. A white wall is the fool’s paper.

N

N’ammazza più la gola che la spada. Gluttony kills more than the sword.

Natale non viene che una volta l’anno. Christmas comes but once a year.

Necessità non ha legge. Necessity has no law.

Nè donna, nè tela a lume di candela. Neither women nor linen by candlelight.

Nei piccioli sacchi sono le migliori spezie. The best spices are in small bags.

Nella coda sta il veleno. The venom is in the tail.

Nella guerra d’amor vince chi fugge. In the war of love who flies conquers.

Nella prosperità non fumano gli altari. In prosperity no altars smoke.

Nella veste più fina fa maggior danno la tarmina. The moth does most mischief to the finest garment.

Nella zuffa il debole è forte. In the fray the weak are strong.

Nessun buon avvocato piatisce mai. No good lawyer ever goes to law himself.

Nessun buon medico piglia mai medicine. No good doctor ever takes physic.

Nessun diventò mai povero per far limosina. No one ever became poor through giving alms.

Nessuno si pentì mai d’aver taciuto. No one ever repented of having held his tongue.

Nessun sente da che parte preme la scarpa, se non chi se la calza. No one perceives where the shoe pinches but he who wears it.

Niuna maraviglia dura più che tre giorni. No wonder lasts more than three days.

Non basta di saper rubare, bisogna anche saper nascondere. It is not enough to know how to steal, one must know also how to conceal.

Non bisogna fasciarsi il capo prima di romperselo. There is no need to bind up one’s head before it is broken.

Non bisogna ripescare tutte le secchie che cascano. It is not necessary to fish up every bucket that falls into the well.

Non c’è amor senza gelosia. There is no love without jealousy.

Non c’è il peggior frutto di quello che non matura mai. There is no worse fruit than that which never ripens.

Non ci è fumo senza fuoco. There’s no smoke without fire.

Non ci è il più cattivo sordo di quel che non vuol udire. None so deaf as he that will not hear.

Non ci è la peggior burla che la vera. There is no worse joke than a true one.

Non credere al santo se non fa miracoli. Don’t believe in the saint unless he works miracles.

Non dar del pane al cane ogni volta che dimena la coda. Do not give the dog bread every time he wags his tail.

Non darebbe il coltello al diavolo per scannarsi. He would not give the devil a knife to cut his throat.

Non dir mal dell’anno finchè passato non sia. Speak not ill of the year until it is past.

Non è bello quel che è bello, ma quel che piace. Handsome is not what is handsome, but what pleases.

Non è buon murator chi rifiuta pietra alcuna. He is not a good mason who refuses any stone.

Non è in alcun luogo chi è per tutto. He is in no place who is everywhere.

Non entra a messa la campana, e pur ognuno ci chiama. The bell does not go to mass, and yet calls every one to it.

Non è onore all’aquila il vincer la colomba. It is no honour for an eagle to vanquish a dove.

Non è scappato chi si strascina la catena dietro. He is not free who drags his chain after him.

Non è tempo da giuocar a scacchi quando la casa brucia. It is no time to play chess when the house is on fire.

Non è tutto butiro che fa la vacca. All is not butter that comes from the cow.

Non è uomo chi non sa dir di nò. He is not a man who cannot say no.

Non si fa ber l’asino quando non ha sete. There’s no making the ass drink when he is not thirsty.

Non fu mai cacciator gatto che miagola. Never was a mewing cat a good mouser.

Non fu mai così bella scarpa che non diventasse brutta ciabatta. There never was a shoe however handsome that did not become an ugly slipper.

Non fu mai sacco sì pieno che non v’entrasse ancor un grano. A sack was never so full but it could hold another grain.

Non fu mai vista capra morta di fame. No one ever saw a goat dead of hunger.

Non giova a dire, per tal via non passerò, nè di tal acqua beverò. There is no use in saying, I will not go such a way, nor drink of such a water.

Non giudicar la nave stando in terra. Do not judge of the ship from the land.

Non gridar i pesci fritti prima d’esser presi. Don’t cry fried fish before they are caught.

Non istanno bene due galli in un cortile. Two cocks in one yard do not agree.

Non ischerzar coll’orso, se non vuoi esser morso. Don’t play with the bear if you don’t want to be bit.

Non lasciar chiodo che non si ributti. Leave no nail unclenched.

Non mi dir oliva prima che mi vedi colta. Call me not olive before you see me gathered.

Non mi punse mai scorpione che io non mi medicassi col suo olio. A scorpion never stung me but I cured myself with its grease.

Non mordere se non sai se è pietra o pane. Don’t bite till you know whether it is bread or a stone.

Non mostrar mai nè il fondo della tua borsa, nè del tuo animo. Never let the bottom of your purse or of your mind be seen.

Non ogni fiore fa buon odore. It is not every flower that smells sweet.

Non ogni giorno è festa. Every day is not a holiday.

Non ogni parola vuol risposta. Not every word requires an answer.

Non pensa il cor tutto quel che dice la bocca. The heart does not think all the mouth says.

Non pianse mai uno che non ridesse un altro. One never wept but another laughed.

Non puoi mal fare a nave rotta. You cannot damage a wrecked ship.

Non può uscir del sacco se non quel che ci è. Nothing can come out of a sack but what is in it.

Non resta mai carne in beccheria per trista ch’ella sia. No meat ever remains in the shambles however bad it may be.

Non ricordare la croce al diavolo. Don’t mention the cross to the devil.

Non ricordar il capestro in casa dell’impiccato. Never speak of a rope in the house of one who was hanged.

Non ride sempre la moglie del ladro. The thief’s wife does not always laugh.

Non scortica la lingua il parlar dolce. Smooth words do not flay the tongue.

Non si crede al santo se non fa miracoli. The saint has no believers unless he works miracles.

Non si deve far male per trarne bene. Never do evil that good may come of it.

Non si dice mai tanto una cosa che non sia qualche cosa. A thing is never much talked of but there is some truth in it.

Non si fa mantello per un’acqua sola. A cloak is not made for a single shower of rain.

Non si offende mai cane gettandogli le ossa. A dog is never offended at being pelted with bones.

Non si può ad un tempo bere e fischiare. One cannot drink and whistle at the same time.

Non si può cavar sangue dalla rapa. You cannot draw blood from a turnip.

Non si può entrare in Paradiso a dispetto de’santi. One can’t enter Paradise in spite of the saints.

Non si può far andar un molino a vento co’ mantici. There’s no turning a windmill with a pair of bellows.

Non si serra mai una porta che non se n’apra un’altra. One door never shuts but another opens.

Non si va in Paradiso in carrozza. There’s no getting to heaven in a coach.

Non si vorria esser solo in Paradiso. One would not be alone in Paradise.

Non son tutti santi quelli che vanno in chiesa. All are not saints who go to church.

Non svegliare il can che dorme. Wake not a sleeping dog.

Non ti metter in dito anello troppo stretto. Don’t put too tight a ring on your finger.

Non tuona mai che non piova. It never thunders but it rains.

Non tutte le pecore sono per il lupo. All the sheep are not for the wolf.

Non tutti dormono quelli che hanno serrati gli occhi. Not all are asleep who have their eyes shut.

Non v’è barba al mondo così ben rasa, che un altro barbier non ci trovi da radere. There is no beard so well shaven but another barber will find something more to shave from it.

Non vender la pelle dell’orso prima di pigliarlo. Don’t sell the bearskin before you have caught the bear.

Non v’è peggior burla della vera. There’s no worse joke than a true one.

Non v’è peggior ladro d’un cattivo libro. There is no worse thief than a bad book.

Non v’è rosa senza spina. No rose without a thorn.

Non v’è sì tristo cane che non meni la coda. There is no dog, be he ever so wicked, but wags his tail.

Non vi è abbastanza se niente avanza. There is never enough where nought is left.

Non vien dì che non venga sera. No day but has its evening.

Novella trista arriva presto. Ill news comes apace.

Nulla nuova, buona nuova. No news is good news.

Nuova rete non piglia uccello vecchio. Old birds are not caught with new nets.

O

O bene o male, tutti dobbiamo vivere. Good or bad we must all live.

Occhio che non vede, cuor che non duole. What the eye sees not the heart rues not.

Odi l’altra parte, e credi poco. Hear the other side, and believe little.

Odio ricominciato è peggio che prima. Hatred renewed is worse than at first.

Odi, vedi, e taci, se vuoi viver in pace. Hear, see, and say nothing, if you would live in peace.

Offerir molto è spezie di negare. Extravagant offers are a kind of denial.

Ogni acqua estingue il fuoco. Any water will put out fire.

Ogni acqua va al mare. All water runs to the sea.

Ogni bottega ha la sua malizia. Every shop has its trick. (There are tricks in all trades.)

Ogni cane è leone a casa sua. Every dog is a lion at home.

Ogni cosa è d’ogni anno. Everything is of every year.

Ogni cosa ha cagione. There is a cause for all things.

Ogni cosa serve a qualche cosa. Everything is good for something.

Ogni cosa si sopporta eccetto il buon tempo. Everything may be borne except good fortune.

Ogni cosa vuol principio. Everything must have a beginning.

Ogni dieci anni un uomo ha bisogno dell’altro. Every ten years one man has need of another.

Ogni dì non è festa. Every day is not a holiday.

Ogni disuguaglianza amore agguaglia. Love levels all inequalities.

Ogni dì vien sera. Every day has its night.

Ogni lucciola non è fuoco. Every glowworm is not a fire.

Ogni medaglia ha il suo rovescio. Every medal has its reverse.

Ogni monte ha la sua valle. Every hill has its valley.

Ogni nave fa acqua: quale a mezzo, quale a proda, e quale in sentina. All ships leak: some amidships, some in the bows, some in the hold.

Ogni pazzo è savio quando tace. Every fool is wise when he holds his tongue.

Ogni pazzo vuol dar consiglio. Every fool wants to give advice.

Ogni pignattaro loda la sua pignatta, e più quella che tiene rotta. Every potter praises his pot, and most of all the one that is cracked.

Ogni promessa è debito. Every promise is a debt.

Ogni rosa ha la sua spina. Every rose has its thorn.

Ogni scusa è buona pur che vaglia. Any excuse is good if it hold good.

Ogni tua guisa non sappia la tua camicia. Let not your shirt know all your thoughts.

Ogni uomo ha buona moglie e cattiva arte. Every man has a good wife and a bad trade.

Ogni vento non scuote il noce. Every wind does not shake down the nut.

Ogni vero non è buono a dire. Every truth is not good to be told.

Ogni vite vuole il suo palo. Every vine must have its stake.

Ogni volpe abbia cura della sua coda. Let every fox take care of his own tail.

Ognun biasima il suo mestiere. Every one finds fault with his own trade.

Ognun crede di aver più cervello che non ha, e meno quattrini. Every one gives himself credit for more brains than he has, and less money.

Ognuno all’arte sua, e il bue all’aratro. Every one to his own calling, and the ox to the plough.

Ognuno ama la giustizia a casa altrui: a nessun piace a casa sua. Every one likes justice in another’s house, none in his own.

Ognuno loda il proprio santo. Every one praises his own saint.

Ognuno sa dove la scarpa lo stringe. Every one knows where his shoe pinches him.

Ognuno si crede senza vizio, perchè non ha quelli degli altri. Every one thinks himself without sin because he has not those of others.

Ognun per sè, e Dio per tutti. Every one for himself and God for us all.

Ognun sa navigar per il buon tempo. Every one can navigate in fine weather.

Ognun si pari le mosche con la sua coda. Let every one keep off the flies with his own tail.

Ognun tira l’acqua al suo molino. Every one draws the water to his own mill.

Ognun va col suo sacco al molino. Every one goes with his own sack to the mill.

Ombra di signore, cappel di matto. The shadow of a lord is a cap for a fool.

Onor di bocca assai giova, e poco costa. Lip courtesy pleases much and costs little.

Oro è che oro vale. That is gold which is worth gold.

Oro non è tutto quel che risplende. All is not gold that glitters.

O sassi o pani, bisogna aver qualcosa in man pei cani. Stones or bread, one must have something in hand for the dogs.

P

Pagar uno della sua moneta. To pay one in his own coin.

Parente, o non parente, mal per quel che non ha niente. Kin or no kin, woe to him who has nothing.

Partoriscono i monti, e nasce un topo. The mountains are in labour, and bring forth a mouse.

Passa la festa, ed il matto resta. The feast passes and the fool remains.

Passato il fiume, è scordato il santo. The river passed the saint forgotten.

Passato il pericolo, gabbato il santo. The danger past, the saint cheated.

Passo a passo si va a Roma. Step by step one goes to Rome.

Patto chiaro, amico caro. A clear bargain, a dear friend.

Pazienza! disse il lupo all’asino. Patience! said the wolf to the ass.

Pazzo chi perde il volo per lo sbalzo. He is a fool who loses the flight for the leap.

Pazzo è chi non sa da che parte vien il vento. He is a fool who does not know from what quarter the wind blows.

Pazzo è colui che di quattro cose si vanta: di buon vino, di buon cavallo, di bella moglie, di danari assai. He is a fool who boasts of four things: that he has good wine, a good horse, a handsome wife, and plenty of money.

Pazzo è quel prete che biasima le sue reliquie. That priest is a fool who decries his relics.

Peccato celato, mezzo perdonato. A sin concealed is half forgiven.

Peccato confessato è mezzo perdonato. A sin confessed is half forgiven.

Pecora che bela perde il boccone. The sheep that bleats loses a mouthful.

Pecora mansueta da ogni agnello è tettata. A mild sheep is sucked by every lamb.

Peggio è la paura della guerra, che la guerra stessa. The fear of war is worse than war itself.

Pegno che mangia niuno lo pigli. No one should take in an eating pawn (or pledge).

Pela la gazza, e non la far strillare. Pluck the magpie, and don’t make her scream.

Pensa molto, parla poco, e scrivi meno. Think much, speak little, and write less.

Pensano gl’innamorati cho gli altri siano ciechi. Lovers think others are blind.

Per amistà conservare, muri bisogna piantare. To preserve friendship one must build walls.

Perchè vada il carro, bisogna unger le ruote. To make the cart go you must grease the wheels.

Perde le lagrime chi piange avanti al giudice. He wastes his tears who weeps before the judge.

Per dir gran mercè, la mia gatta morì. Thank you, pretty pussy, was the death of my cat.

Per diventar ricco in questo mondo, non ci vuol altro che voltar le spalle a Dio. To become rich in this world, it needs only to turn one’s back on God.

Per picciola cagione pigliasi il lupo il montone. On very small pretext the wolf seizes the sheep.

Per più strade si va a Roma. There are many roads to Rome.

Per saper troppo, perdè la sua coda la volpe. Through being too knowing the fox lost his tail.

Per tutto sono de’ tristi e de’ buoni. There are good and bad everywhere.

Per un monaco non si lascia di far l’abbate. The election of the abbot is not stopped for want of a monk.

Per un orecchio entra, per l’altro esce. In at one ear, out at the other.

Piaga antiveduta assai men duole. A wound foreseen pains the less.

Piaga per allentar d’arco non sana. Unbending the bow does not cure the wound.

Pian, barbiere, che l’acqua scotta. Softly, barber, the water scalds.

Piano, che non si levi la polvere. Softly, don’t raise a dust.

Piccola favilla accende gran fuoco. A little spark kindles a great fire.

Piccola pietra rovescia gran carro. A little stone overturns a great cart.

Piccola pioggia fa cessar gran vento. Small rain lays a great wind.

Piega l’albero quando è giovane. Bend the tree while it is young.

Pietra mossa non fa muschio. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Pigliamo prima l’orso, e poi vendiamo la pelle. Let us first catch the bear and then sell its skin.

Pigliar due colombi a una fava. To catch two pigeons with one bean.

Pigliar la lepre col carro. To catch a hare with a cart.

Pignatta rotta non cade mai da uncino. A cracked pot never fell off the hook.

Più che il martello dura l’incudine. The anvil lasts longer than the hammer.

Più lungo d’un dì senza pane. Longer than a day without bread.

Più mi tocca la camicia che la gonnella. Near is my petticoat, but nearer is my smock.

Più ombra che frutto fanno gli arberi grandi. Large trees give more shade than fruit.

Più pazzi che quei da Zago, che davan del letame al campanile perchè crescesse. Greater fools than they of Zago, who dunged the steeple to make it grow.

Più sa il matto in casa sua che, il savio in casa d’altri. The fool knows more in his own house than the sage in other men’s.

Più son i minacciati che gli uccisi. There are more threatened than slain.

Più spegne una buona parola, che un secchio d’acqua. One good word quenches more heat than a bucket of water.

Più sventurato che i cani in chiesa. More unlucky than dogs in church.

Più tosto si arriva un bugiardo, che uno zoppo. A liar is sooner caught than a cripple.

Piuttosto cappello in mano, che mano alla borsa. Rather hat in hand than hand in purse.

Piuttosto un asino che porti, che un cavallo che butti in terra. Rather an ass that carries than a horse that throws.

Più vale guadagnar in loto, che perder in oro. Better gain in mud than lose in gold.

Più vale il fumo di casa mia, che il fuoco dell’altrui. The smoke of my own house is better than another man’s fire.

Più vede un occhio del padrone che quattro del servitore. One eye of the master sees more than four eyes of his servants.

Placato il cane, il rubar è facile. It is easy robbing when the dog is quieted.

Poco fiele fa amaro molto miele. A little gall makes a great deal of honey bitter.

Poichè la casa brucia, io mi scalderò. Since the house is on fire I will warm myself at the blaze.

Porco pigro non mangia pere mature. The lazy pig does not eat ripe pears.

Povero come un topo di chiesa. As poor as a church mouse.

Povertà non ha parenti. Poverty has no kin.

Prega il villano, il mercato è disfatto. Entreat the churl and the bargain is broken off.

Preso il partito, cassato l’affanno. Once resolved, the trouble is over.

Presto e bene non si conviene. Quick and well don’t agree.

Preti, frati, monache e polli non si trovan mai satolli. Priests, friars, nuns, and chickens never have enough.

Prometter più carri che buoi. To promise more carts than oxen.

Protestare e dare del capo nel muro, lo può fare ognuno. To protest and knock one’s head against the wall is what everybody can do.

Provocar il cavallo a correr per il piano. To spur a horse on level ground.

Q

Qual è l’amante, tal è l’amata. As is the lover so is the beloved.

Qual figlia vuoi, tal moglie piglia. As you would have a daughter so choose a wife.

Quando Dio non vuole, i santi non possono. When God will not the saints cannot.

Quando è poco pan in tavola, mettine assai nella scodella. When there is little bread at table put plenty on your plate.

Quando i furbi vanno in processione, il diavolo porta la croce. When rogues go in procession the devil carries the cross.

Quando il leone è morto, le lepri gli saltano addosso. When the lion is dead the hares jump upon his carcase.

Quando il sole ti splende, non ti dèi curar della luna. When the sun shines on thee, thou needest not care for the moon.

Quando il tuo diavol nacque, il mio andava a scuola. When your devil was born, mine was going to school.

Quando i molinari fanno romore, tu lega i sacchi. When the millers are making an uproar, do you tie up your sacks.

Quando la cosa va bene, è buono dar consiglio. It is easy to give advice when all goes well.

Quando la donna regna, il diavolo governa. When woman reigns the devil governs.

Quando la gatta non è in paese, i topi ballano. When the cat’s away the rats dance.

Quando la gatta non v’è, i sorci ballano. When the cat’s away the mice dance.

Quando la pera è matura, convien ch’ella caggia. When the pear is ripe it must fall.

Quando la volpe predica, guardatevi, galline. When the fox preaches, take care of yourselves, hens.

Quando l’incendio è nel vicinato, porta l’acqua a casa tua. When there is a fire in the neighbourhood carry water to your own house.

Quando non c’è, perde la chiesa. When there is nothing the church loses.

Quando puoi aver del bene, pigliane. Never refuse a good offer.

Quando tuona, il ladro divien uomo dabbene. When it thunders, the thief becomes honest.

Quando tutti ti dicono briaco, va a dormire. When everybody says you are drunk, go to sleep.

Quando tu vedi il lupo, non ne cercar le pedate. When you see the wolf, do not look for his track.

Quando viene la fortuna, apri le porte. When fortune comes, open your doors.

Quanto più la volpe è maladetta, tanto maggior preda fa. The more the fox is cursed, the more prey he catches.

Quanto più si frega la schiena al gatto, più leva la coda. The more you stroke the cat’s back the more she sets up her tail.

Quattrini e amicizia rompon le braccia alla giustizia. Money and friendship break the arms of justice.

Quattrino risparmiato, due volte guadagnato. A farthing saved is twice earned.

Quel che è fatto non si può disfare. What’s done can’t be undone.

Quel che fa il pazzo all’ultimo, lo fa il savio alla prima. A wise man does at first what a fool must do at last.

Quel che non ammazza, ingrassa. What does not poison, fattens.

Quel che non è stato, può essere. What has not been, may be.

Quel che non puoi aver, biasima. What you can’t have, abuse.

Quel che pare burla, ben sovente è vero. Many a true word is spoken in jest.

Quel che ripara il freddo, ripara il caldo. What keeps out the cold keeps out the heat.

Quello che costa poco, si stima meno. What costs little is little esteemed.

Quello è dolce a ricordare, che fu duro a sopportare. That is pleasant to remember which was hard to endure.

R

Ragazzi savj e vecchi matti non furon mai buoni a nulla. Wise lads and old fools were never good for anything.

Ragghio d’asino non arriva al cielo. The braying of an ass does not reach heaven.

Rete nuova non piglia uccello vecchio. A new net won’t catch an old bird.

Ride bene chi ride l’ultimo. He laughs well who laughs last.

Ritornan molti dalla guerra che non sanno raccontar la battaglia. Many return from the war who cannot give an account of the battle.

Romper la casa per vender il calcinaccio. To pull down the house for the sake of the mortar.

Rompe una pietra una goccia d’acqua. A drop of water breaks a stone.

Rotta la testa, si mette la celata. When his head is broken he puts on his helmet.

Rubar il porco, e darne i piedi per l’amor di Dio. To steal the pig, and give away the pettitoes for God’s sake.

S

Sacco pieno rizza l’orecchio. A full sack pricks up its ear.

Sacco rotto non tien miglio, il pover uom non va a consiglio. A ragged sack holds no grain, a poor man is not taken into counsel.

Sacco vuoto non sta ritto. An empty sack won’t stand upright.

Sa dove il diavolo tien la coda. He knows where the devil has his tail.

Sa meglio i fatti suoi un matto, che un savio quei degli altri. A fool knows his own business better than a wise man knows that of others.

San Francesco prima si faceva la barba per sè, poi la faceva a’ suoi frati. St. Francis shaved himself first, and then he shaved his brethren.

Sanità senza quattrini è mezza malattia. Health without money is a half-malady.

S’annegherebbe in un cucchiar d’acqua. He would drown in a spoonful of water.

Sanno più un savio ed un matto, che un savio solo. A wise man and a fool together, know more than a wise man alone.

Sa più il papa e un contadino che il papa solo. The pope and a peasant know more than the pope alone.

Savie all’impensata, alla pensata pazze son le donne. Women are wise impromptu, fools on reflection.

Savio è colui che impara a spese altrui. He is wise who learns at another’s cost.

Schiaffo minacciato non è mai ben dato. A threatened buffet is never well given.

Sciocco è chi pensa che un altro non pensi. He is a fool who thinks that another does not think.

Scoprire un altare per ricoprirne un altro. To strip one altar to cover another.

Scorticar il cane scorticato. To flay the flayed dog.

Sdegno cresce amore. Anger increases love.

Sdegno d’amante poco dura. A lover’s anger is short-lived.

Se ben ho perso l’anello, ho pur anche le dita. If I have lost the ring I still have the fingers.

Segreto confidato non è più segreto. A secret imparted is no longer a secret.

Se il giovane sapesse, se il vecchio potesse, e’ non c’è cosa che non si facesse. If the young man knew, if the old man could, there is nothing but would be done.

Se io andassi al mare, lo troverei secco. If I went to sea I should find it dry.

Se la moglie pecca, non è il marito innocente. If the wife sins the husband is not innocent.

Se la superbia fosse arte, quanti dottori avremmo. If pride were an art, how many doctors we should have.

Se ’l sol mi splende, non curo la luna. If the sun shines on me I care not for the moon.

Sempre ha torto il più debole. The weakest goes to the wall.

Sempre ne va il meglio. The best always goes first.

Se non puoi mordere, non mostrar mai i denti. If you can’t bite, don’t show your teeth.

Senza debiti, senza pensieri. Without debt without care.

Se piovesser maccheroni, che bel tempo pei ghiottoni! If it rained maccaroni, what a fine time for gluttons!

Servizio de’ grandi non è eredità. Service is not inheritance.

Se sorcio sei, non seguitar rane. If you are a mouse don’t follow frogs.

Se tacesse la gallina, non si saprebbe che ha fatto l’uovo. If the hen had not cackled we should not know she had laid an egg.

Se ti lasci metter in spalla il vitello, quindi a poco ti metteranno la vacca. If you let them put the calf on your shoulders, it will not be long before they clap on the cow.

Si arriva più presto un bugiardo che un zoppo. A liar is sooner caught than a cripple.

Si dice è mentitore. They say, is a liar.

Si dice sempre il lupo più grande che non è. The wolf is always said to be bigger than he is.

Simili con simili vanno. Like will to like.

S’io dormo, dormo a me; s’io lavoro, non so a che. If I sleep, I sleep for myself; if I work, I know not for whom.

Si può pagar l’oro troppo caro. One may buy gold too dear.

Si romperebbe il collo in un filo di paglia. He would break his neck against a straw.

Si trovano molti asini che non portano mai sacco. There are more asses than carry sacks.

Si trovano più ladri che forche. There are more thieves than gibbets.

Si vive bene all’ombra del campanile. It is good living under the shadow of the belfry.

Sorte, e dormi. Have luck, and sleep.

Sotto la bianca cenere sta la brace ardente. Under white ashes there is glowing coal.

Sotto l’istesso fuoco si purifica l’oro, e si consuma la paglia. The same fire purifies gold and consumes straw.

Spegner il fuoco con la stoppa. To put out the fire with tow.

Spesso chi crede fuggir il fumo, cade nel fuoco. They who shun the smoke often fall into the fire.

Spesso chi troppo fa, poco fa. Who does too much often does little.

Spesso d’un gran male nasce un gran bene. Out of a great evil often comes a great good.

Spesso i doni sono danni. Gifts are often losses.

Spogliar Pietro per vestir Paolo. To strip Peter to clothe Paul.

Sproni proprii e cavalli d’altri fanno corte le miglia. One’s own spurs and another’s horse make the miles short.

Suocera e nuora, tempesta e gragnuola. Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, storm and hail.

Suon di campana non caccia cornacchia. The sound of the bell does not drive away rooks.

Superbo è quel cavallo che non si vuol portar la biada. It’s a very proud horse that will not carry his oats.

T

Taglia la coda al cane, e’ riman cane. Cut off the dog’s tail, he remains a dog.

Tal canta che allegro non è. Some sing who are not merry.

Tal ha belli occhi che niente vi vede. One may have good eyes and see nothing.

Tal ha paura che minacciar osa. Many a one threatens and yet is afraid.

Tal lascia l’arrosto, che poi ne brama il fumo. Many a one leaves the roast who afterwards longs for the smoke of it.

Tal padrone, tal servitore. Like master like man.

Tal si burla che si confessa. Some who jest tell tales of themselves.

Tal sprezza la superbia con una maggior superbia. There are some who despise pride with a greater pride.

T’annoia il tuo vicino? Prestagli uno zecchino. Does your neighbour bore you? Lend him a sequin.

Tante teste, tanti cervelli. So many heads, so many brains.

Tanti paesi, tante usanze. So many countries, so many customs.

Tanto buono che non val niente. So good that he is good for nothing.

Tanto è morir di male quanto d’amore. It is all one whether you die of sickness or of love.

Tanto va la secchia al pozzo che vi lascia il manico. The bucket goes so often to the well that it leaves its handle there.

Tanto vale il mio nò, quanto il tuo sì. My No is as good as your Yes.

Tardi furon savj i Troiani. The Trojans were wise too late.

Tardi si vien con l’acqua quando la casa è arsa. It is too late to come with water when the house is burnt down.

Tosto si trova il bastone per dare al cane. A stick is soon found to beat a dog.

Tra asino e asino, non corron se non calci. Nothing passes between asses but kicks.

Tra corsale e corsale, non si guadagna se non barili vuoti. Corsairs against corsairs, there is nothing to win but empty barrels.

Tra due poltroni, il vantaggio è di chi prima conosce l’altro. Between two cowards, he has the advantage who first detects the other.

Traduttori, traditori. Translators, traitors.

Tra la briglia e lo sprone consiste la ragione. Reason lies between bridle and spur.

Tra ’l cuoco e il canovaio non è mai nimicizia. There is never enmity between the cook and the butler.

Trar la cavezza dietro all’asino. To throw the halter after the ass.

Tre cose cacciano l’uomo di casa: fumo, goccia, e femmina arrabbiata. Three things drive a man out of doors: smoke, dropping water, and a shrew.

Tre donne e un papero fanno un mercato. Three women and a goose make a market.

Tre fratelli, tre castelli. Three brothers, three castles.

Tre lo sanno, tutti lo sanno. Three know it, all know it.

Trista è quella casa ove le galline cantano, e ’l gallo tace. It is a sorry house where the hens crow and the cock is silent.

Tristo è quel barbiere che ha un sol pettine. He is a sorry barber who has but one comb.

Trotto d’asino poco dura. An ass’s trot does not last long.

Tua camicia non sappia il secreto. Let not your shirt know your secret.

Tutte le chiavi non pendono ad una cintura. All the keys do not hang at one girdle.

Tutte le dita non son pari. All the fingers are not alike.

Tutte le parole non voglion risposta. Not all words require an answer.

Tutte le strade conducono a Roma. All roads lead to Rome. (There are more ways to the wood than one.)

Tutte le volpi alla fine si riveggono in pellicceria. At last the foxes all meet at the furrier’s.

Tutti i gusti son gusti. All tastes are tastes. (There’s no disputing about tastes.)

Tutti i santi non fanno miracoli. All saints do not work miracles.

Tutti son bravi quando l’inimico fugge. All are brave when the enemy flies.

Tutto è bene che riesce bene. All’s well that ends well.

Tutto il cervello non è in una testa. All the brains are not in one head.

Tutto quello che crolla non cade. Not all that shakes falls.

Tutto s’accommoda eccetto l’osso del collo. Everything may be repaired except the neckbone.

Tutto sapere è niente sapere. To know everything is to know nothing.

U

Una aiuta a maritare l’altra. One daughter helps to marry the other.

Una bugia ne tira dieci. One lie draws ten after it.

Una campana fa a un comune. One bell serves a parish.

Una mano lava l’altra, e tutt’e due lavano il viso. One hand washes the other, and both wash the face.

Una parola tira l’altra. One word brings on another.

Una pecora rognosa ne guasta un branco. One scabby sheep spoils a flock.

Una pulce non leva il sonno. One flea does not hinder sleep.

Una rondine non fa l’estate. One swallow does not make a summer.

Una sella non s’adatta ad un dosso solo. A saddle fits more backs than one.

Una spina non fa siepe. One briar does not make a hedge.

Un avvertito ne val due. A man warned is as good as two.

Un buon boccone, e cento guai. One good morsel and a hundred vexations.

Un canestro d’uva non fa vendemmia. One basket of grapes does not make a vintage.

Un chiodo caccia l’altro. One nail drives out another.

Un coltello aguzza l’altro. One knife whets another.

Un coltello fa tener l’altro nella guaina. One knife keeps another in its sheath.

Un demonio non fa l’inferno. One devil does not make hell.

Un diavol conosce l’altro. One devil knows another.

Un diavol scaccia l’altro. One devil drives out another.

Un fior non fa ghirlanda. One flower does not make a garland.

Un male ed un frate rare volte soli. A misfortune and a friar seldom go alone.

Un matto sa più domandare che sette savj rispondere. A fool can ask more questions than seven wise men can answer.

Un nemico è troppo, e cento amici non bastano. One enemy is too much, and a hundred friends are not enough.

Uno leva la lepre, un altro la piglia. One starts the hare, another catches it.

Un pajo d’orecchie seccherebbero cento lingue. One pair of ears would exhaust a hundred tongues.

Un pazzo getta una pietra nel pozzo, e vi voglion cento savii a cavarnela. A fool throws a stone into a well, and it requires a hundred wise men to get it out again.

Un peccato confessato è mezzo perdonato. A sin confessed is half forgiven.

Un poco di vero fa creder tutta la bugia. A little truth makes the whole lie pass.

Un sorcio mette paura ad un ladro. A mouse will scare a thief.

Unto alle ruote. Grease to the wheels.

Un uomo di paglia vuole una donna d’oro. A man of straw needs a woman of gold.

Uomo amante, uomo zelante. A loving man, a jealous man.

Uomo ammogliato, uccello in gabbia. A married man is a caged bird.

Uomo lento non ha mai tempo. A slothful man never has time.

Uomo morto non fa guerra. A dead man does not make war.

Uomo ozioso è il capezzale del diavolo. An idle man is the devil’s bolster.

Uomo solitario, o bestia o angiolo. A solitary man is either a brute or an angel.

Uscito è dal fango, ed è cascato nel rio. He got out of the mud and fell into the river.

V

Va al mare, se ben vuoi pescare. Go to the sea if you would fish well.

Val più un asino vivo che un dottore morto. A living ass is better than a dead doctor.

Val più un’oncia di discrezione che una libra di sapere. An ounce of discretion is better than a pound of knowledge.

Vaso che va spesso al fonte, ci lascia il manico o la fronte. The pitcher that goes often to the fountain leaves there either its handle or its spout. (A pitcher that goes oft to the well is broken at last.)

Vaso vuoto suona meglio. Empty vessels make most noise.

Vedi Napoli e poi muori. See Naples and then die.

Vedon più quattr’occhi che due. Four eyes see more than two.

Vender il miele a chi ha le api. To sell the honey to one who has the bees.

Vender la pelle dell’orso innanzi che sia preso. To sell the skin of the bear before it is caught.

Vender l’uccello in su la frasca. To sell the bird in the bush.

Vendetta di cent’anni ha ancora i lattaiuoli. Revenge a hundred years old has still its milk-teeth.

Ventre digiuno non ode nessuno. A hungry belly has no ears.

Ventura aver poco senno basta. To have luck needs little wit.

Vicino alla chiesa, lontan da Dio. Near the church far from God.

Vien la fortuna a chi la procura. Fortune comes to him who strives for it.

Vino dentro, senno fuora. When the wine is in the wit is out.

Virtù di silenzio è gran scienza. The virtue of silence is a great piece of knowledge.

Vivendo s’impara. Live and learn.

Vive più il minacciato che l’impiccato. A threatened man lives longer than one that is hanged.

Vivi, e lascia vivere. Live and let live.

Voce di popolo, voce di Dio. The people’s voice, God’s voice.

Voce d’uno, voce di niuno. One voice, no voice.

Voler lasciar andare dodici danari al soldo. To be content to let twelve pennies pass for a shilling.

GERMAN PROVERBS

A

Abends wird der Faule fleißig. At evening the sluggard is busy.

Adam muß eine Eva haben, die er zeiht was er gethan. Adam must have an Eve, to blame for his own faults.

Adler brüten keine Tauben. Eagles do not breed doves.

Aendern und bessern sind zwei. To change and to better are two different things.

Affen bleiben Affen, wenn man sie auch in Sammet kleidet. Apes remain apes, though you clothe them in velvet.

”Alle Frachten lichten,” sagte der Schiffer, da warf er seine Frau über Bord. “All freight lightens,” said the skipper, when he threw his wife overboard.

Alle Freier sind reich, und alle Gefangenen arm. All wooers are rich, and all captives poor.

Alle wissen guten Rath, nur der nicht, der ihn nöthig ist. Everybody knows good counsel except him that has need of it.

Aller Anfang ist schwer, sprach der Dieb und zuerst stahl einen Amboß. Every beginning is hard, said the thief, when he began by stealing an anvil.

Alles wäre gut, wär kein “aber” dabei. Everything would be well were there not a “but.”

Allzuviel ist nicht genug. Too much is not enough.

Allzuviel zerreißt den Sack. Too much bursts the bag.

Als Adam henkte und Eva spann, wer war denn da der Edelmann? When Adam delved and Eve span, where was then the gentleman?

Als Christus allein war, versuchte ihn der Teufel. When Christ was alone, the devil tempted him.

Als David kam ins Alter, sang er fromme Psalter. When David grew old he sang pious psalms.

Alte Bäume lassen sich nicht biegen. Old trees are not to be bent.

Alte Kirchen haben dunkle Fenster. Old churches have dark windows.

Alte Krähen sind schwer zu fangen. Old crows are hard to catch.

Alte Leute sehen am Besten in die Ferne. Old people see best in the distance.

Alte Liebe rostet nicht. Old love does not rust.

Alte Ochsen treten hart. Old oxen tread hard.

Alte Schweine haben harte Mäuler. Old pigs have hard snouts.

Alte Vögel sind schwer zu rupfen. Old birds are hard to pluck.

Alte Wunden bluten leicht. Old wounds easily bleed.

Amt ohne Sold macht Diebe. Office without pay makes thieves.

An armer Leute Bart lernt der Junge scheeren. On poor people’s beards the young barber learns his trade.

An der Armuth will jeder den Schuh wischen. Every one likes to wipe his shoes on poverty.

Andere Städtchen, andere Mädchen. Other towns, other lasses.

Anfang heiß, Mittel lau, Ende kalt. The beginning hot, the middle lukewarm, the end cold.

Anfang und Ende reichen einander die Hände. Beginning and ending shake hands.

Armer Leute Reden gehen viel in einen Sack. Poor people’s words go many to a sackful.

Armuth ist der sechste Sinn. Poverty is the sixth sense.

Armuth ist listig, sie fängt auch einen Fuchs. Poverty is cunning; it catches even a fox.

Armuth und Hunger haben viel gelehrte Jünger. Poverty and hunger have many learned disciples.

Arzt hilf dir selbst. Physician heal thyself.

Auch der beste Gaul stolpert einmal. Even the best hack stumbles once.

Auch der Löwe muß sich vor der Mücke wehren. Even the lion must defend himself against the flies.

Auch ein Haar hat seinen Schatten. Even a hair casts its shadow.

Auf heiler Haut ist gut schlafen. It is good to sleep in a whole skin.

Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben. Forbearance is no acquittance.

Auf den Abend soll man den Tag loben. In the evening one may praise the day.

Auf einen guten Bissen gehört ein guter Trunk. To good eating belongs good drinking.

Auf Regen folget Sonnenschein. After rain comes sunshine.

Auf seinem Miste ist der Hahn ein Herr. The cock is a lord on his own dunghill.

Aus andrer Leuten Häuten ist gut Riemen schneiden. Good thongs may be cut out of other people’s hides.

Aus dem Regen unter die Traufe kommen. To get out of the rain under the spout.

Aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn. Out of sight, out of mind.

Aus des Esels Wadel wird kein Sieb. You cannot make a sieve of an ass’s tail.

Aus klattrigen Fohlen werden die schönsten Hengste. Ragged colts make the handsomest stallions.

Aus ungelegten Eiern werden spät junge Hühner. Unlaid eggs are a long time becoming chickens. (Count not your chickens before they are hatched.)

B

Bär und Büffel können keinen Fuchs fangen. Bear and bull catch no fox.

Bald geben ist doppelt geben. To give quickly is to give doubly.

Begonnen ist halb gewonnen. Begun is half done.

Behaupten ist nicht beweisen. Assertion is no proof.

Bei großen Herren muß man fünf gerade sein lassen. With great men one must allow five to be an even number.

Bei Nacht sind alle Katzen grau. By night all cats are grey.

Beinahe bringt keine Mücke um. Almost never killed a fly.

Beleidigst du einem Mönch, so knappen alle Kuttenzipfel bis nach Rom. Offend one monk, and the lappets of all cowls will flutter as far as Rome.

Bellende Hunde beißen nicht. Barking dogs don’t bite.

Bellet ein alter Hund, so soll man aufschauen. When an old dog barks, look out.

Besser allein, als in schlechter Gesellschaft. Better alone than in bad company.

Besser: Da läuft er, als: Da hängt er. Better, There he goes, than, There he hangs.

Besser einäugig als gar blind. Better one-eyed than stone-blind.

Besser ein Flick als ein Loch. Better a patch than a hole.

Besser ein halb Ei als eitel Schale. Better half an egg than empty shells.

Besser ein lebender Hund als ein todter Löwe. Better a living dog than a dead lion.

Besser ein lebendiges Wort als hundert todte. Better one living word than a hundred dead ones.

Besser ein magrer Vergleich als ein fetter Proceß. Better a lean agreement than a fat lawsuit.

Besser frei in der Fremde als Knecht daheim. Better free in a foreign land than a serf at home.

Besser freundlich versagen, als unwillig gewähren. Better a friendly denial than an unwilling compliance.

Besser ist besser. Better is better.

Besser was als gar nichts. Better something than nothing at all.

Besser nichts geben als geraubtes Almosen. Better give nothing than stolen alms.

Besser ohne Abendessen zu Bette gehen als mit Schulden. Better to go to bed supperless than run in debt.

Betrug ist der Krämer Wagen und Pflug. Cheating is the chapman’s cart and plough.

Betrügen ist ehrlicher als stehlen. Cheating is more honourable than stealing.

Bettelsack ist bodenlos. The beggar’s bag is bottomless.

Bezahlen wir die Musik, so wollen wir dabei auch tanzen. If we pay for the music we will take part in the dance.

Bist du Amboß, sei geduldig; bist du Hammer, schlage zu. If you are an anvil, be patient; if you are a hammer, strike hard.

Bittre Pillen vergoldet man. Bitter pills are gilded.

Bliebe der Wolf im Walde, so würd er nicht beschreien. If the wolf had stayed in the wood there would have been no hue and cry after him.

Blinder Gaul geht geradezu. A blind horse goes straightforward.

Blödes Herz buhlt keine schöne Frau. Faint heart never won fair lady.

Blut ist dicker als Wasser. Blood is thicker than water.

Böser Brunnen, da man Wasser muß eintragen. It is a bad well into which one must put water.

Böser Vögel, böses Ei. Bad bird, bad egg.

Böser Pfennig kommt immer wieder. A bad penny always comes back.

Borgen thut nur einmal wohl. Borrowing does well only once.

Böse Augen sehen nie nichts Gutes. Bad eyes never see any good.

Böse Waare muß man aufschwatzen. Bad ware must be cried up.

Bricht ein Ring, so bricht die ganze Kette. One link broken, the whole chain is broken.

C

Christen haben keine Nachbarn. Christians have no neighbours.

D

Das Amt lehrt den Mann. The office teaches the man.

Das Auge des Herrn schafft mehr als seine beiden Hände. The master’s eye does more than both his hands.

Das Auge sieht sich nimmer satt. The eye is never satiated with seeing.

Das Bessere ist ein Feind des Guten. Better is an enemy to good.

Das Beste ist was man in der Hand hat. The best is what one has in his hand.

Das Beste kauft man am Wohlfeilesten. The best is the cheapest.

Das Ei will klüger sein als die Henne. The egg will be more knowing than the hen.

Das Glück giebt Vielen zu viel, aber Keinem genug. Fortune gives many too much, but no one enough.

Das Glück hat Weiberart; liebt Jugend und wechselt gern. Fortune is like women: loves youth and is fickle.

Das Huhn legt gern ins Nest, worin schon Eier sind. The hen likes to lay in a nest where there are eggs already.

Das Leder stehlen, und die Schuhe um Gottes willen vergeben. To steal the leather, and give away the shoes for God’s sake.

Das Nächste das Liebste. The nearest the dearest.

Das Papier ist geduldig. Paper is patient.

Das Pferd, das am Besten zieht, bekömmt die meisten Schläge. The horse that draws best is the most whipped.

Das Recht hat eine wächserne Nase. Justice has a waxen nose.

Das Roß wird nicht nach dem Sattel beurtheilt. The horse is not judged of by the saddle.

Das schlechtestes Rad am Wagen knarrt am meisten. The worst wheel creaks most.

Das Werk lobt den Meister. The work praises the workman.

Dem alten Hunden ist schwer bellen lehren. It is hard to teach old dogs to bark.

Dem einen Hund ist es leid wenn der andere in die Küche geht. One dog growls to see another go into the kitchen.

Dem fliehenden Feinde baue goldene Brücken. Build golden bridges for the flying foe.

Dem Hungrigen ist: harr’, ein hart Wort. Wait, is a hard word to the hungry.

Dem Zuschauer ist keine Arbeit zu viel. To the looker-on no work is too hard.

Den Baum muß man biegen, weil er jung ist. The tree must be bent while it is young.

Den Brunnen decken, so das Kind ertrunken ist. To cover the well after the child has been drowned in it.

Den Hungrigen ist nicht gut predigen. There is no good in preaching to the hungry.

Den Kranken ärgert die Fliege an der Wand. The sick man is vexed with the flies on the wall.

Den letzten beißen die Hunde. The dogs bite the last.

Den todten Löwen kann jeder Hase an der Mähne zupfen. Every hare may pluck the dead lion’s mane.

Der Adler fängt nicht Fliegen. The eagle does not catch flies.

Der alter Fuhrmann hört gern Knallen. An old coachman loves the crack of the whip.

Der Amboß ist des Lärms gewohnt. The anvil is used to noise.

Der Amboß fürchtet den Hammer nicht. The anvil is not afraid of the hammer.

Der Bauch ist ein böser Rathgeber. The belly is a bad adviser.

Der Bauch läßt sich nichts vorlügen. There’s no putting off a lie upon the belly.

Der beste Prediger ist die Zeit. Time is the best preacher.

Der Eine fängt den Hasen, der Andere ißt ihn. One catches the hare, and another eats it.

Der Eine schlagt den Nagel ein, der Andere hängt den Hut daran. One man knocks in the nail, and another hangs his hat on it.

Der Eine schlagt auf den Busch, der Andere kriegt den Vogel. One beats the bush, and another catches the bird.

Der Esel trägt das Korn in die Mühle, und bekommt Disteln. The ass carries corn to the mill, and gets thistles.

Der Esel und sein Treiber denken nicht überein. The ass and his driver do not think alike.

Der Fisch fängt am Kopf an zu stinken. Fish begin to stink at the head.

Der Fisch will dreimal schwimmen; im Wasser, im Schmalz, und im Wein. A fish should swim thrice: in water, in sauce, and in wine.

Der Fuchs ändert den Pelz und behält den Schalk. The fox changes his skin, but keeps the rogue.

Der Geiß sammelt sich arm, die Milde giebt sich reich. Charity gives itself rich, covetousness hoards itself poor.

Der größte Schritt ist der aus der Thür. The greatest step is out of doors.

Der Hahn ist König auf seinem Miste. The cock is king on his own dunghill.

Der Hahn schließt die Augen, wann er krähet, – weil er es auswendig kann. The cock shuts his eyes when he crows, because he knows it by heart.

Der Henker ist ein scharfer Barbier. The executioner is a keen shaver.

Der Hund, der den Hasen ausspürt, ist so gut wie der ihn fängt. The dog that starts the hare is as good as the one that catches it.

Der Hund raset wider den Stein, und nicht wider den, so geworfen. The dog rages at the stone, not at him that throws it.

Der Hunger treibt dem Wolf aus dem Walde. Hunger drives the wolf out of the wood.

Der Junge kann sterben, der Alte muß sterben. The young may die, the old must die.

Der König kann nicht allweg regieren wie er will. The king cannot always rule as he wishes.

Der Krieg ist lustig den unerfahrnen. War is pleasant to those who have not tried it.

Der Krug geht so lange zum Wasser bis er zerbricht. The pitcher goes so often to the well, that it gets broken at last.

Der leere Wagen muß dem vollen ausweichen. The empty waggon must make room for the full one.

Der Letzte hat den Sack gestohlen. The last stole the sack.

Der Letzte thut die Thür zu. The last shuts the door.

Der liebe Niemand ist an allem schuld. Honest Nobody is to blame for all.

Der Mann im Monde hat das Holz gestohlen. The man in the moon stole the wood.

Der Mensch denkt’s, Gott lenkt’s. Man proposes, God disposes.

Der Mensch liebt nur einmal. Man loves but once.

Der Mönch antwortet, wie der Abt singt. The monk responds as the abbot chants.

Der Müller ist fromm, der Haare auf den Zähnen hat. That miller is honest who has hair on his teeth.

Der Narben lacht, wer Wünden nie gefühlt. He laughs at scars who never felt a wound.

Der Neutrale wird von oben begossen, von unten gesengt. Neutrals are soused from above, and singed from below.

Der Pabst frißt Bauern, säuft Edelleute, und schießt Mönche. The pope eats peasants, gulps gentlemen, and voids monks.

Der Pfaff liebt seine Heerde, doch die Lämmlein mehr als die Wedder. The priest loves his flock, but the lambs more than the wethers.

Der Schlüssel, den man braucht, wird blank. The key that is used grows bright.

Der Stärkste hat Recht. Right is with the strongest.

Der Teufel ist nie so schwarz, als man ihn mahlt. The devil is never so black as he is painted.

Der Teufel ist artig, wenn man ihm schmeichelt. The devil is civil when he is flattered.

Der Teufel gießt gern was schon naß ist. The devil likes to souse what is already wet.

Der Wald hat Ohren, das Feld hat Augen. The wood has ears, the field has eyes.

Der Weg zum Verderben ist mit guten Vorsätzen gepflastert. The road to ruin is paved with good intentions.

Der Weise hat die Ohren lang, die Zunge kurz. The wise man has long ears and a short tongue.

Der Wille giebt dem Werke den Namen. The will gives the work its name.

Der Wille ist des Werkes Seele. The will is the soul of the work.

Des Königs Spreu gilt mehr, als andere Leute Korn. The king’s chaff is better than other folk’s corn.

Des Mannes Mutter ist der Frau Teufel. The husband’s mother is the wife’s devil.

Des Menschen Angesicht ist eines Löwen. A man’s face is a lion’s.

Des Schulzen Kuh und eines Andern Kuh sind zweierlei Kühe. The bailiff’s cow and another’s cow are two different cows.

Des Volkes Stimme ist Gottes Stimme. The people’s voice is God’s voice.

Dickkopf, Dummkopf. Big head, little wit.

Die Aemter sind Gottes; die Amtleute des Teufels. Places are God’s; placemen are the devil’s.

Die ärgsten Studenten werden die frömmsten Prediger. The most disorderly students make the most pious preachers.

Die Augen glauben sich selbst, die Ohren andern Leuten. The eyes believe themselves; the ears other people.

Die Augen sind weiter dann der Bauch. The eye is bigger than the belly.

Die Armen müssen tanzen wie die Reichen Pfeiffen. The poor must dance as the rich pipe.

Die Bärenhaut soll man nicht verkaufen ehe der Bär gestochen ist. Don’t sell the bear-skin before you have killed the bear.

Die Bauern bitten nichts so sehr von Gott, als daß den Junkern die Rosse nicht Sterben, sonst würden sie die Bauern mit Sporen reiten. There is nothing for which the boors pray so much to God as that the horses of the squirearchy may not die, for otherwise they would ride the boors with spurs.

Die Besen kann man am wohlfeilsten geben, die man fertig stiehlt. Those besoms can be sold cheapest which are stolen ready made.

Die besten Freunde stehen im Beutel. The best friends are in one’s purse.

Die Beute soll man nicht vor dem Siege theilen. Do not divide the spoil till the victory is won.

Die Ehe ist Himmel und Hölle. Marriage is heaven and hell.

Die Fische haben gut leben, die trinken wann sie wollen. The fish lead a pleasant life, they drink when they like.

Die Gaben sind wie die Geber. Gifts are according to the giver.

Die gelehrte Narren sind über alle Narren. Learned fools exceed all fools.

Die gezählten Schafe frißt der Wolf auch. Even counted sheep are eaten by the wolf.

Der Katzen Scherz, der Mäuse Tod. What is sport to the cat is death to the mouse.

Die Katze möchte die Fische wohl, sie mag aber die Füße nicht naß machen. The cat loves fish, but is loth to wet her feet.

Die Kleinen reden gar so gern von dem, was die Großen thun. Little folks are fond of talking about what great folks do.

Die Kühe, die am meisten brüllen, geben am wenigsten Milch. The cows that low most give the least milk.

Die Kuh leckt kein fremdes Kalb. The cow licks no strange calf.

Die Kuh milcht durchs Maul. The cow gives milk through her mouth.

Die Schlüssel hängen nicht alle an einem Gürtel. All the keys do not hang at one girdle.

Die Schönheit ist ein guter Empfehlungsbrief. Beauty is a good letter of introduction.

Die Schönste putzt das Licht. The handsomest snuffs the candle.

Die Schulden sind der nächste Erbe. The debts go to the next heir.

Die Sonnenuhr zählt nur die heitern Stunden. The sun-dial counts only the bright hours.

Die Sonne wirds bringen an den Tag, was unterm Schnee verborgen lag. The sun will bring to light what lay under the snow.

Die süßesten Trauben hängen am höchsten. The sweetest grapes hang highest.

Die Wände haben Ohren. Walls have ears.

Die Welt will Nachteulen haben, sich zu verwundern. The world likes to have night-owls, that it may have matter for wonder.

”Die Worte sind gut,” sprach jener Wolf, “aber ich komm ins Dorf nicht.” “Your words are fair,” said the wolf, “but I will not come into the village.”

Doktor Luthers Schuhe sind nicht allen Dorfpriestern gerecht. Doctor Luther’s shoes do not fit every parish priest.

Draußen hat man hundert Augen, daheim keine. Abroad one has a hundred eyes, at home not one.

Drei Frauen, drei Gänse, und drei Frösche, machen einen Jahrmarkt. Three women, three geese, and three frogs, make a fair.

Dreimal umgezogen ist einmal abgebrannt. Three removes are as bad as a fire.

Dreizehn Nonnen, vierzehn Kinder! Thirteen nuns, fourteen children!

Ducaten werden beschnitten, Pfennige nicht. Ducats are clipped, pence are not.

E

Edel ist, der edel thut. Noble is, that noble does.

Edel macht das Gemüth, nicht das Geblüt. ’Tis the mind ennobles, not the blood.

Ehrlich währt am längsten. Honesty lasts longest. (Honesty is the best policy.)

Eifersucht ist eine Leidenschaft, die mit Eifer sucht, was Leiden schaft. Jealousy is a pain which eagerly seeks what causes pain.

Eigenliebe macht die Augen trübe. Self-love is bad, and makes the eyes sad.

Eigenlob stinkt, Freundes Lob hinkt, Fremd Lob ist wahr und dauert wohl ein Jahr. Self-praise stinks, friends praise hinks, the stranger’s is sincere, and may last for a year.

”Ei ist Ei,” sagte der Küster, aber er nahm das Gans Ei. “An egg is an egg,” said the beadle, but he took the goose-egg.

Eile mit Weile. Hasten at leisure.

Eilte die Hündin nicht, so würfe sie nicht blinde Junge. If the bitch were not in such haste, she would not litter blind puppies.

Ein Advokat und ein Wagenrad wollen geschmiert sein. A lawyer and a cart-wheel must be greased.

Ein alter Fuchs läuft nicht zum zweiten Mal in’s Garn. An old fox does not run twice into the snare.

Ein Blinder schluckt manche Fliege mit herunter. A blind man swallows many a fly.

Ein bös Auge verdirbt das andere. One bad eye spoils the other.

Ein Brand allein brennt nicht lange. One log does not burn long by itself.

Ein Dieb stiehlt sich selten reich. A thief seldom grows rich by thieving.

Ein Dienst ist des andern Werth. One good turn deserves another.

Ein Ding ist nicht bös, wenn man es gut versteht. A thing is not bad if well understood.

Ein Doktor und ein Bauer wissen mehr als ein Doktor allein. A doctor and a boor know more than a doctor alone.

Eine Biene ist so gut als eine Handvoll Fliegen. One bee is as good as a handful of flies.

Eine Blume macht keinen Kranz. One flower makes no garland.

Einen Nackten kann man nicht ausziehen. There is no stripping a naked man.

Einer kann reden und Sieben können singen. One can speak and seven can sing.

Ein ersparter Pfennig ist zweimal verdient. A penny saved is two-pence got.

Ein Esel schimpft den andern “Lang-ohr.” One ass nicknames another “Longears.”

Ein faules Ei verdirbt den ganzen Brei. One rotten egg spoils the whole pudding.

Ein Feind ist zu viel, und hundert Freunde sind zu wenig. One foe is too many, and a hundred friends are too few.

Ein Frauenhaar zieht mehr als ein Glockenseil. One hair of a woman draws more than a bell-rope.

Ein guter Name ist ein reiches Erbtheil. A good name is a rich inheritance.

Ein guter Weg um, ist nicht krumm. The farthest way about is the nearest way home.

Ein gutes Mahl ist Henkenswerth. A good meal is worth hanging for.

Eine Hälfte der Welt verlacht die andere. One half the world laughs at the other half.

Eine Handvoll Gewalt ist besser als ein Sackvoll Recht. A handful of might is better than a sack full of right.

Eine Hand wäscht die andere. One hand washes the other.

Ein Heute ist besser als zehn Morgen. One to-day is better than ten to-morrows.

Ein hungriger Magen hat keine Ohren. A hungry belly has no ears.

Ein jeder ist Kaiser in seinem Lande. Every one is emperor on his own ground.

Eine Katze hat neun Leben, wie die Zwiebel sieben Häute. A cat has nine lives, as the onion seven skins.

Eine Krähe hackt der anderen die Augen nicht aus. One crow does not peck another’s eye out.

Eine Krähe macht keinen Winter. One crow does not make a winter.

Eine Nadel in’s Heu suchen. To look for a needle in a bottle of hay.

Einen Mohren kann man nicht weiß waschen. One cannot wash a blackamoor white.

Eine Nothlüge schadet nichts. A necessary lie is harmless.

Ein Sack voll Flöhe ist leichter zu hüten wie ein Weib. A sack full of fleas is easier to watch than a woman.

Ein schlechter Schmidt, der den Rauch nicht vertragen kann. He is a bad smith who cannot bear smoke.

Ein schlechter Schütz, der keine Ausrede findet. He is a bad shot who cannot find an excuse.

Ein schlechtes Pferd, das sein Futter nicht verdient. It is a bad horse that does not earn his fodder.

Eine Schwalbe macht keinen Frühling. One swallow does not make a spring.

Eines Mannes Rede ist keine Rede, man muß sie hören beide. One man’s story is no story; hear both sides. (One story is good till another is told.)

Eine Stunde Schlaf vor Mitternacht, ist besser als zweie darnach. One hour’s sleep before midnight is better than two after it.

Eine Unze Mutterwitz ist besser als ein Pfund Schulwitz. An ounce of mother-wit is worth a pound of school-wit.

Ein Keil treibt den andern. One wedge drives another.

Ein Krämer, der nicht Mausdreck für Pfeffer aufschwatzen kann, hat sein Handwerk nicht gelernt. A huckster who cannot pass off mouseturd for pepper, has not learned his trade.

Ein leerer Sack steht nicht aufrecht. An empty sack will not stand upright.

Ein Loth Märzenstaub ist einen Ducaten werth. A load of March dust is worth a ducat.

Ein magerer Vergleich ist besser denn ein fetter Proceß. A lean compromise is better than a fat lawsuit. (Agree, for the law is costly.)

Einmal in der Leute Mund, kommt man übel wieder heraus. Once in people’s mouths, ’tis hard to get well out of them.

Einmal, Keinmal. Once upon a time, no time.

Ein Mann, ein Wort; ein Wort, ein Mann. A man, a word; a word, a man.

Ein Mensch ist des andern Teufel. One man is another’s devil.

Ein Messer wetzt das andere. One knife whets another.

Ein Mühlstein wird nicht moosig. A millstone gathers no moss.

Ein Nagel erhällt ein Eisen, das Eisen ein Roß, das Roß den Mann, der Mann eine Burg und die Burg das ganze Land. A nail secures the horse-shoe, the shoe the horse, the horse the man, the man the castle, and the castle the whole land.

Ein Narr kann mehr fragen, als sieben Weise antworten. One fool may ask more questions than seven wise men can answer.

Ein Narr lobt den andern. One fool praises another.

Ein: “Nimm hin” ist besser, als zehn: “Helf Gott!” One “take this” is better than ten “God help you!”

Ein Pfennig mit Recht, ist besser denn tausend mit Unrecht. A single penny fairly got, is worth a thousand that are not.

Ein Quentlein Klugheit ist besser denn ein Pfund Weisheit. A dram of discretion is worth a pound of wisdom.

Ein Schuh ist nicht Jedem gerecht. One shoe will not fit every foot.

Ein Schwert hält das andere in der Scheide. One sword keeps another in the sheath.

Ein Sperling in der Hand ist besser denn eine Taube auf dem Dache. A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the roof.

Ein Weib verschweigt nur, was sie nicht weiß. A woman keeps secret only what she does not know.

Ein wenig zu spät ist viel zu spät. A little too late is much too late.

Einer Frau und einem Glas drohet jede Stunde was. A woman and a glass are ever in danger.

Eines Narren Bolzen ist bald verschossen. A fool’s bolts is soon shot.

Ein Trunk auf Salat schadet dem Doctor einen Ducat; ein Trunk auf ein Ei schadet ihm zwei. Drink upon salad costs the doctor a ducat; drink upon eggs costs him two.

Ein Vater ernährt eher zehn Kinder, denn zehn Kinder einen Vater. A father maintains ten children better than ten children one father.

Ein Vogel in der Schüssel ist besser als hundert in der Luft. One bird in the dish is better than a hundred in the air.

Ein Weib mit vielfältigem Rock hat einfältigen Kopf. A woman strong in flounces is weak in the head.

Ein Zaun dazwischen mag die Liebe erfrischen. A fence between makes love more keen.

Ein Zaun währt drei Jahre, ein Hund überwährt drei Zäune, ein Pferd drei Hunde, ein Mensch drei Pferde. A fence lasts three years, a dog lasts three fences, a horse three dogs, and a man three horses.

Ende gut, alles gut. All’s well that ends well.

Er geht herum, wie die Katze um den heißen Brei. He goes about it like a cat round hot milk.

Er geht so gern als der Dieb an den Galgen. He goes as willingly as a thief to the gallows.

Er hat Bohnen in den Ohren. He has beans in his ears. (Who so deaf as he that will not hear.)

Er hat die Henne für das Ei gegeben. He has given the hen for the egg.

Er ist ein armer Fuchs, der nur ein Loch hat. It is a poor fox that has but one hole.

Er muß ein scharf Gesicht haben, der eine Jungfrau kennen woll. He must have keen eyes that would know a maid at sight.

Er stecht seine Nase in Alles. He sticks his nose in everything. (He has his finger in every pie.)

Erfahrung ist die beste Lehrmeisterin. Experience is the best teacher.

Ersparter Pfennig ist so gut wie der erworbene. A penny saved is a penny gained.

Erst besinn’s, dann beginn’s. Look before you leap.

Erst wieg’s, dann wag’s. First weigh, then venture.

Erziehst du dir einen Raben, so wird er dir die Augen ausgraben. Bring up a raven and he will peck out your eyes.

Es fällt keine Eiche vom ersten Streiche. Never fell oak at the very first stroke.

Es findet jeder seinen Meister. Every one has his master.

Es flog ein Gänschen über den Rhein, es kam ein Gigack wieder heim. A gosling flew over the Rhine, and came home a goose.

Es geschieht nichts Neues unter der Sonne. There’s nothing new under the sun.

Es giebt mehr alte Weintrinker als alte Aerzte. There are more old tipplers than old doctors.

Es giebt nur zwei gute Weiber auf der Welt: die Eine ist gestorben, die Andere nicht zu finden. There are only two good women in the world; the one is dead, the other not to be found.

Es hilft keine Krone für das Hauptweh. A crown is no cure for the headache.

Es ist besser das Kind weine, denn der Vater. It is better the child should cry than the father.

Es ist besser mit ’nem ganzen Narren handeln, denn mit ’nem halben. It is better to deal with a whole fool than half a fool.

Es ist ein böser Vogel, der in sein Nest hofirt. It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest.

Es ist ein schlechter Arbeitsmann, der nicht vom Handwerk reden kann. He is a bad workman who cannot talk of work.

Es ist ein weises Kind das seinen Vater kennt. It is a wise child that knows its own father.

Es ist geschrieben: “Was nicht dein ist, das laß liegen.” ’Tis written, “What’s not your own, that let alone.”

Es ist kein Gesetz es hat ein Loch, wer’s finden kann. There is no law but has a hole in it, for those who can find it out.

Es ist kein Heiliger so klein, er will seine eigene Kerze haben. There is no saint so petty but claims his own candle.

Es ist kein Kinderspiel, wenn ein altes Weib tanzt. It is no child’s play when an old woman dances.

Es ist leichter einen Scheffel voll Flöhe hüten als ein Weib. It is easier to guard against a bushel of fleas than a woman.

Es ist leichter zwei Herde bauen, als auf einem immer Feuer haben. It is easier to build two hearths than always to keep fire on one.

Es ist nicht Alles Gold, was glänzt. All is not gold that glitters.

Es ist nicht gut der Poet im Dorfe zu sein. It is not good to be the poet of a village.

Es ist nicht noth daß die Pfaffen heirathen, so lange die Bauern Weiber haben. There is no occasion for priests to marry, while peasants have wives.

Es ist nöthiger den Mund zu bewahren, denn die Kiste. It is more necessary to guard the mouth than the chest.

Es ist schwer stehlen, wo der Wirth selbst ein Dieb ist. It is hard to steal where the host himself is a thief.

Es ist zu viel von einer Katze begehrt, daß sie bei der Milch sitze, und nicht davon schlecke. It is too much to expect of a cat that she should sit by the milk and not lap it.

Es kommen eben so viel Kalbshäute zu Markt als Kuhhäute. There come just as many calf-skins as cow-skins to market.

Es kommt allzeit Pharao, der Joseph nicht kennt. There is always a Pharaoh who does not know Joseph.

Es müssen starke Beine sein, die glückliche Tage ertragen können. They must be strong legs that can support prosperous days.

Es nimmt kein Weib einen alten Mann um Gottes willen. No woman marries an old man for God’s sake.

Es reitet ein jeder sein Steckenpferd. Every man rides his own hobby.

Es schlafen nicht alle, welche die Augen zu haben. All are not asleep who have their eyes shut.

Es schlägt nicht immer ein wenn’s donnert. A bolt does not always fall when it thunders. (There are more threatened than struck.)

Es sind nicht alle frei, die ihrer Kette spotten. All are not free who mock their chains.

Es sind nicht alle Jäger, die das Horn gut blasen. All are not hunters that blow the horn.

Es sind nicht alle Köche, die lange Messer tragen. All are not cooks who carry long knives.

Es sind so gute Katzen, die die Mäuse verjagen, als die sie fangen. The cats that drive away mice are as good as those that catch them.

Es steckt nicht im Spiegel, was man im Spiegel sieht. That is not in the looking-glass which is seen in the looking-glass.

Es trinken tausend sich den Tod, ehe einer stirbt vor Durstes Noth. Thousands drink themselves to death before one dies of thirst.

Es verdirbt viel Witz in eines Armen Mannes Beutel. Much wit is lost in a poor man’s purse.

Es weht nicht allezeit derselbe Wind. The wind does not always blow from the same quarter.

Es weiß Niemand besser wo der Schuh drückt als der ihn trägt. No one knows better where the shoe pinches than he who wears it.

Es will dem Diebe kein Baum gefallen, daran er hänge. The thief cannot find any tree that suits him for a gallows.

Es will keiner der Katze die Schellen anhängen. No one likes to bell the cat.

Es wird kein blöder Hund fett. A bashful dog never fattens.

Es wird keine Hochzeit vollbracht, es wird eine andere dabei erdacht. One marriage is never celebrated but another grows out of it.

Esel singen schlecht, weil sie zu hoch anstimmen. Asses sing badly, because they pitch their voices too high.

Essen und Trinken muß seyn und wären alle Bäume Galgen. We must eat and drink though every tree were a gallows.

Etwas ist besser als gar nichts. Better aught than nought.

F

Faulheit ist der Schlüssel zur Armuth. Sloth is the key to poverty.

Fette Hühner legen wenig Eier. Fat hens lay few eggs.

Fette Küche, magere Erbschaft. A fat kitchen makes a lean will.

Feuer im Herzen bringt Rauch in den Kopf. Fire in the heart sends smoke into the head.

Feuer und Wasser sind gute Diener, aber schlimme Herren. Fire and water are good servants, but bad masters.

Fleiß ist des Glückes Vater. Industry is the parent of fortune.

Fliege nicht eher, als bis dir die Federn gewachsen sind. Don’t fly till your wings are feathered.

Frauen und Jungfrauen soll man loben, es sei wahr oder erlogen. Women and maidens must be praised, whether truly or falsely.

Freie um die Wittwe, dieweil sie noch trauert. Woo the widow whilst she is in weeds.

Freier Mann, freies Gut. Free man, free goods. (So: Free ships, free goods. —American.)

Fremdes Pferd und eigene Sporen haben bald den Wind verloren. Another man’s horse and your own spurs outrun the wind.

Freud’ und Leid sind nahe Nachbarn. Joy and sorrow are next-door neighbours. (Joy and sorrow are to-day and to-morrow.)

Frisch gewagt ist halb gewonnen. Boldly ventured is half won.

Fromm, klug, weis und mild, gehört in des Adels Schild. Piety, prudence, wit, and civility, are the elements of true nobility.

Fromme Leute wohnen weit auseinander. Good people live far asunder.

Früh auf und spät nieder, bringt verlorenes Gut wieder. Early to rise and late to bed, lifts again the debtor’s head.

Früh zu Bett und früh wieder auf, macht gesund und reich in Kauf. Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Frühe Hochzeit, lange Liebe. Early marriage, long love.

Fünf Finger fassen mehr als zwei Gabeln. Five fingers hold more than two forks.

Für Gerechte giebt es keine Gesetze. For the upright there are no laws.

Fürsten-Gunst, Aprillenwetter, Frauenlieb und Rosenblätter, Würfelspiel und Kartenglück, ändern sich all’ Augenblick. Royal favour, April weather, woman’s love, rose-leaves, dice, and card-luck, change every moment.

Fürsten haben lange Hände und viele Ohren. Princes have long hands and many ears.

G

Gäb es keine Narren, so gäb es keine Weisen. Were there no fools, there would be no wise men.

Gebet dem Kaiser was des Kaisers ist, und Gott was Gottes ist. Give unto the king what is the king’s, and unto God what is God’s.

Gebranntes Kind fürchtet das Feuer. A burnt child dreads the fire.

Gebrauchter Pflug blinkt, stehend Wasser stinkt. A used plough shines, standing water stinks.

Gedanken sind zollfrei, aber nicht Höllenfrei. Thoughts are toll-free, but not hell-free.

Gefährte munter kürzet die Meilen. Cheerful company shortens the miles.

”Gehe hin, werd ein Krämer, ein Schalk,” sagt der Henker zu seinem Knecht. “Away with you, be a pedlar, a knave,” says the hangman to his man.

Geld genommen, um Freiheit gekommen. Money taken, freedom forsaken.

Geld im Beutel vertreibt die Schwermuth. Money in the purse dispels melancholy.

Geld ist der Mann. Money makes the man.

Gelegenheit macht den Dieb. Opportunity makes the thief.

Gelehrte Narren sind über alle Narren. Learned fools are the greatest fools.

Gelehrten, ist gut predigen. A word is enough to the wise.

Gemalte Blumen riechen nicht. Painted flowers are scentless.

Gemein Geplärr ist nie ganz leer. Common fame is seldom to blame.

Gemiethet Roß und eigene Sporen machen kurze Meilen. A hired horse and one’s own spurs make short miles.

Gemsen steigen hoch und werden doch gefangen. The chamois climbs high and yet is caught.

Genug ist über einen Sack voll. Enough is better than a sackful.

Geredt ist geredt, man kann es mit keinem Schwamme abwischen. What is said is said, and no sponge can wipe it out.

Geschenke halten die Freundschaft warm. Presents keep friendship warm.

Geschenktem Gaul sieht man nicht in’s Maul. Look not a gift horse in the mouth.

Geschrei macht den Wolf größer als er ist. Report makes the wolf bigger than he is.

Getaufter Jude, beschnittener Christ. A baptised Jew is a circumcised Christian.

Gewarnter Mann ist halb gerettet. A man warned is half saved.

Gewohnheit ist ein’ andere Natur. Custom is second nature.

Gieb nie das Fell, wo du mit der Wolle zahlen kannst. Never give the skin when you can pay with the wool.

Giebt es Krieg, so macht der Teufel die Hölle weiter. In time of war the devil makes more room in hell.

Glaub’ ist besser als bares Geld. Credit is better than ready money.

”Gleich und Gleich gesellt sich gern,” sprach her Teufel zum Köhler. “Like will to like,” as the devil said to the coal-burner.

Gleiches Blut, gleiches Gut und gleiche Jahre, machen die besten Heirathspaare. Like blood, like means, and like age, make the happiest marriage.

Glück und Unglück sind zwei Eimer im Galgenbrunnen. Fortune and misfortune are two buckets in a well.

Glück und Weiber haben die Narren lieb. Fortune and women are partial to fools.

”Glück zu! Gott ehre das Handwerk!” sprach der Schinder zum Richter. “Success to you! God speed the craft!” as the hangman said to the judge.

Glücklich ist, wer vergißt, was nicht mehr zu ändern ist. He is lucky who forgets what cannot be mended.

Glücklich über die Bruk, verlacht man San Nepomuck. Safe over the bridge, one laughs at St. Nepomuck.

Gold liegt tief im Berge, aber Koth am Wege. Gold lies deep in the mountain, dirt on the highway.

Golden Gebiß macht’s Pferd nicht besser. A golden bit makes none the better horse.

Goldener Hammer bricht eisernes Thor. A golden hammer breaks an iron gate. (Gold goes in at any gate.)

Gott hilft dem Stärksten. God helps the strongest.

Gott ist überall, außer wo er seinen Statthalter hat. God is everywhere, except where he has his delegate.

Gott macht gesund, und der Doktor kriegt das Geld. God cures the sick, and the doctor gets the money.

Gottes Freund, der Pfaffen Feind. God’s friend, the priest’s foe.

Gottes Mühle geht langsam, aber sie mahlt fein. God’s mill goes slowly, but it grinds well.

Groß sein thut’s nicht allein, sonst holte die Kuh den Hasen ein. Greatness alone is not enough, or the cow would outrun the hare.

Große Bäume geben mehr Schatten als Früchte. Great trees give more shade than fruit.

Große Diebe hängen die kleinen. Great thieves hang little thieves.

Große Fische fängt man in großen Wassern. Great fish are caught in great waters.

Große Herren dürfen mit Heiligen scherzen. Great men may jest with saints.

Große Kirchen, kleine Heiligen. Big churches, little saints.

Große Schwätzer sind gemeiniglich Lügner. Great talkers are commonly liars.

Große Worte und Federn gehen viel auf ein Pfund. Of big words and feathers many go to the pound.

Großer Herren Bitte ist Befehl. Great men’s requests are commands.

Großer Herren Leute lassen sich was bedünken. Great men’s servants don’t think little of themselves.

Großer Prahler, schlechter Zahler. Great say-masters, bad pay-masters.

Grüne Weihnacht, weiße Ostern. Green Christmas, a white Easter.

Gut Gewissen ist ein sanftes Ruhekissen. A good conscience is a soft pillow.

Gut macht Uebermuth, Armuth macht Demuth. Riches cause arrogance; poverty, meekness.

Güte bricht einem kein Bein. Kindness breaks no bones.

Gute Käufe leeren den Beutel. Good bargains empty the purse.

Guter Anfang ist die halbe Arbeit. Well begun is half done.

Guter Rath kommt nie zu spät. Good counsel never comes too late.

Guter Rath kommt über Nacht. Good counsel comes over night.

Guter Wein bedarf keines Kranzes. Good wine needs no bush.

Guter Wein ist der Alten Milch. Good wine is milk for the aged.

Guter Wein verdirbt den Beutel, und Schlechter den Magen. Good wine ruins the purse, and bad the stomach.

Guter Wein verkauft sich selbst. Good wine sells itself.

Gutschmecke macht Bettelsäcke. A lordly taste makes a beggar’s purse.

H

”Hab’ ich” ist ein besserer Vogel als “Hätt’ ich.” “I have” is a better bird than “If I had.”

”Habe gehabt” ist ein armer Mann. “I have had” is a poor man.

Haben ist Haben, komm es woher es wolle. Having is having, come whence it may.

Halbes Haus, halbe Hölle. Half a house is half a hell.

Halt’s mit ben Nachbarn, geh’ es dir wohl oder übel. Keep well with your neighbours, whether right or wrong.

Hans kommt durch seine Dummheit fort. Jack gets on by his stupidity.

Hänschen, lerne nicht zu viel, du mußt sonst viel thun. Don’t learn too much, Jack, else you must do a great deal.

”Hätte ich gewußt” ist ein armer Mann. “Had I known” is a poor man.

Hart gegen hart nimmer gut ward. Hard against hard never was good.

Hast du Geld, so setz dich nieder; hast du keines, so scheer dich wieder. If you’ve money, take a seat; if you’ve none, take to your feet.

”Hast du kein Geld, so werd ein Amtmann!” sagte jener Hofnarr zu seinem Fürsten. “If you have no money, turn placeman!” as the court fool said to his sovereign.

Hast du nicht Pfeile im Köcher, so misch dich nicht unter die Schützen. If you have no arrows in your quiver, go not with archers.

Hast du’s nicht mit Scheffeln, so hast’s doch wohl mit Löffeln. If you can’t get it in bushels, take it in spoonfuls.

Hastiger Mann war nie Verräther. The hasty man was never a traitor.

Hat die Henne ein Ei gelegt, so gacket sie. When the hen has laid an egg she cackles.

Hehler ist so gut wie Stehler. The concealer is as bad as the thief.

Heirathen in Eile, bereut man mit Weile. Marry in haste, repent at leisure.

Heirathen in’s Blut thut selten gut. Marrying in the blood is never good.

Heirathen ist leicht, Haushalten ist schwer. Marrying is easy, but housekeeping is hard.

Heller, steh auf, laß den Gulden niedersitzen. Stand up, farthing, let the florin sit down. (Stand up, cent, let the dollar sit down.)

Henke nicht alles auf einen Nagel. Do not hang all on one nail.

Herodes und Pilatus sind gute Freund’! Herod and Pilate are good friends!

Heut’ im Putz, morgen im Schmutz. To-day in finery, to-morrow in filth.

Heute für Geld, morgen umsonst. To-day for money, to-morrow for nothing.

Heute Kaufmann, morgen Bettelmann. Merchant to-day, beggar to-morrow.

Heute muß dem Morgen nichts borgen. To-day must borrow nothing of to-morrow.

Heute roth, morgen todt. To-day red, to-morrow dead.

Hilf dir selbst, so hilft dir Gott. God helps those who help themselves.

Hin ist hin, da leihet kein Jude mehr darauf. Gone is gone; no Jew will lend upon it.

Hinterm Kreuz versteckt sich der Teufel. The devil lurks behind the cross.

Hochmuth kommt zu Fall. Pride will have a fall.

Hohe Häuser sind gemeinlich unter dem Dache leer. High houses are mostly empty in the upper story.

Hörensagen ist halb gelogen. Hearsay is half lies.

Hunde, die viel bellen, beißen nicht. Dogs that bark much don’t bite.

Hundert Jahre Unrecht macht keine Stunde Recht. A hundred years of wrong do not make an hour of right.

Hundert Jahren Kummer bezahlen keinen Heller Schulden. A hundred years of regret pay not a farthing of debt.

Hunger ist der beste Koch. Hunger is the best cook.

Hungrige Fliegen stechen übel. Hungry flies sting sore.

Hurtig zur Anbiß, hurtig zur Arbeit. Quick at meat, quick at work.

Husaren beten um Krieg, und der Doktor um das Fieber. Hussars pray for war, and the doctor for fever.

Hut in der Hand, geht durch’s ganze Land. Hat in hand goes through the land.

I

Ich brauche keine Hummeln in meinem Bienenkorbe. I want no drones in my bee-hive. (So Shakspeare, “Drones hive not with me.” —Shylock.)

Ich habe den Hund lieber zum Freund als zum Feind. I would rather have a dog my friend than enemy.

Ich möchte wissen wie der hieß, so nie vom Weib sich narren ließ. Who’s the man that was never fooled by a woman.

Ich sehe so tief in einen Mühlstein, als ein Anderer. I can see as far into a mill-stone as another man.

Ich will den Gaul gewinnen, oder den Sattel verlieren. I will win the horse, or lose the saddle.

”Ich will keinen Hund beißen, denn ich muß meine Zähne für den Wolf sparen,” sagt der Schafhund. “I will not bite any dog,” says the shepherd’s dog, “for I must save my teeth for the wolf.”

Im Becher ersaufen mehr als im Meer. More are drowned in the bowl than in the sea.

Im Hause der Gehenkten soll man nicht vom Stricke reden. Never speak of a rope in the house of one who was hanged.

Im Scherz klopft man an, und im Ernst wird aufgemacht. We knock in jest, and it is opened in earnest.

Im Spaß gesagt, im Ernst gemeint. Said in sport, meant in earnest.

Im Spiegel sieht man die Gestalt, im Wein das Herz. In the looking-glass we see our form, in wine the heart.

Immer etwas Neues, selten etwas Gutes. Always something new, seldom something good.

Immer nur ein Haar und der Mann wird kahl. Ever one hair, only one, and the man is bald at last.

In alten Häusern, viele Mäuse; in alten Pelzen, viele Läuse. In old houses many mice, in old furs many lice.

In armer Leute Mund verdirbt viel Weisheit. Much wisdom is lost in poor men’s mouths.

In der einen Hand Brot, in der anderen einen Stein. Bread in one hand, a stone in the other.

In der Mühle ist das Beste, daß die Säcke nicht reden können. The best of the mill is that the sacks can’t speak.

In die Hölle kommt man mit größerer Mühe, als in den Himmel. It is harder work getting to hell than to heaven.

In jedem Pfäfflein steckt ein Päbstlein. Every priestling conceals a popeling.

Indessen das Gras wächst, verhungert der Gaul. Whilst the grass grows the steed starves.

Irren ist menschlich. To err is human (to forgive, divine).

Irrender Hirt, irrende Schaafe. Straying shepherd, straying sheep.

Irrthum ist kein Betrug. Erring is not cheating. (A mistake is no fraud.)

Ist der Mensch geboren so fängt er an zu sterben. As soon as man is born he begins to die.

Ist die Wirthin schön, ist auch der Wein schön. If the landlady is fair, the wine is fair.

J

Jacobs Stimme, Esaus Hände. Jacob’s voice, Esau’s hands.

Je älter der Geck, je schlimmer. The older a fool, the worse he is. (There is no fool like an old fool.)

Je älter, je kälter; je kärger, je ärger. The older, the colder; the more avaricious, the more vicious.

Je ärger der Mahner, je schlimmer der Zahler. The worse the dun, the worse the paymaster.

Je fetter der Floh, je magerer der Hund. The fatter the flea, the leaner the dog.

Je früher reif, je früher faul. Soon ripe, soon rotten.

Je gröter Hast, je minder Spood. (Hamburg.) The more haste, the less speed.

Je höher der Affe steigt, je mehr er den Hintern zeigt. The higher the ape climbs, the more he shows his rump.

Je höher die Glocke hängt, je heller sie klingt. The higher the bell is hung, the shriller it sounds.

Je mehr der Brunnen gebraucht wird, desto mehr giebt er Wasser. The more the well is used, the more water it yields.

Je mehr Gesetze, je weniger Recht. The more law, the less justice.

Je mehr man den Dreck rüttelt, je mehr stinkt er. The more you stir the mire, the more it stinks.

Je näher dem Bein, je süßer das Fleisch. The nearer the bone, the sweeter the flesh.

Je näher der Herberge, je länger der Weg. The nearer the inn, the longer the road.

Je näher der Kirche, je weiter von Gott. The nearer the church, the farther from God.

Je schöner die Wirthin, je schwerer die Zeche. The fairer the hostess, the heavier the reckoning.

Je später der Abend, je schöner die Leute. The later the evening, the fairer the company.

Je voller das Faß, je gelinder der Klang. The fuller the cask, the duller it’s sound.

Je weniger Worte, je besser Gebet. The fewer the words, the better the prayer.

Jedem das Seine ist nicht zu viel. To every one his own is not too much.

Jedem dünket sein’ Eul’ ein Falk. Every one thinks his owl a falcon.

Jedem was, ist gut Theilung. Something to every one is good division.

Jeder Arbeiter ist seines Lohnes werth. Every labourer is worthy of his hire.

Jeder fege vor seiner Thür. Let every one sweep before his own door.

Jeder für sich, Gott für Alle. Every man for himself, and God for us all.

Jeder gilt so viel als er hat. Every one counts for as much as he has.

Jeder hält sein Kupfer für Gold. Every man thinks his own copper gold.

Jeder ist seiner Worte bester Ausleger. Every man is the best interpreter of his own words.

Jeder ist seines Glückes Schmidt. Everybody is the architect of his own fortune.

Jeder ist sich selbst der Nächste. Every man is dearest to himself.

Jeder meint sein Kukuk singe besser denn des andern Nachtigall. Every one thinks his own cuckoo sings better than another’s nightingale.

Jeder meint, was er im Sinne hat, das läuten alle Glocken. Every one thinks that all the bells echo his own thoughts.

Jeder muß der Natur seine Schuld bezahlen. Every one must pay his debt to nature.

Jeder muß ein Paar Narrenschuhen zerreißen, zerreißt er nicht mehr. Everybody must wear out one pair of fool’s shoes, if he wear no more.

Jeder Mutter Kind ist schön. Every mother’s child is handsome.

Jeder weiß es am Besten, wo ihn der Schuh drückt. Everybody knows best where his own shoe pinches. (Also Scotch.)

Jedermann sagt es, Niemand weiß es. Everybody says it, nobody knows it.

Jedermanns Freund, Jedermanns Narr. Everybody’s friend, everybody’s fool.

Jedermanns Gesell ist Niemands Freund. Everybody’s companion is nobody’s friend.

Jedes Weib will lieber schön als fromm Sein. Every woman would rather be handsome than good.

Jucken und Borgen thut wohl – aber nicht lang. Scratching and borrowing do well enough, but not for long.

Jung Weib ist altem Mann, das Postpferd zum Grabe. A young wife is an old man’s post-horse to the grave.

Junger Schlemmer, alter Bettler. A glutton young, a beggar old.

Junger Spieler, alter Bettler. Young gambler, old beggar.

Juristen sind böse Christen. Lawyers are bad Christians.

K

Käs’ ist Morgens Gold, Mittags Silber, Abends Blei. Cheese is gold in the morning, silver at noon, and lead at night.

Käs’] und Brot macht die Wangen roth. Cheese and bread make the cheeks red.

Kalte Hand, warmes Herz. Cold hand, a warm heart.

Kartenspiel ist des Teufels Gebetbuch. A pack of cards is the devil’s prayer-book.

Kauf bedarf hundert Augen, Verkauf hat an einem genug. Buyers want a hundred eyes, sellers only one.

Kauf ist Kauf. A bargain is a bargain.

Kaufe deines Nachbars Rind, und freie deines Nachbars Kind. Buy your neigbour’s ox, and woo your neighbour’s daughter.

Kaufen ist wohlfeiler als Bitten. Buying is cheaper than asking.

Kein Aff’, er schwört, er habe die schönsten Kinder. No ape but swears he has the handsomest children.

Kein Baum fällt auf den ersten Schlag. No tree falls at the first stroke.

Kein Ding ist so schlecht, daß es nicht zu etwas nützen sollte. There is nothing so bad but may be of some use.

Kein Gefängniß schön, und keine Braut häßlich. Never seemed prison fair, or mistress foul.

Kein Haus ohne Maus, keine Scheuer ohne Korn, keine Rose ohne Dorn. No house without a mouse, no barn without corn, no rose without a thorn.

Kein Kreuzer, kein Schweizer. No money, no Swiss.

Kein Panzer hilft wider den Galgen. No armour is proof against the gallows.

Kein Rauch ohne Feuer. No smoke without fire.

Keiner ist so klug, daß er nicht ein wenig Narrheit übrig hätte. Nobody so wise but has a little folly to spare.

Keiner kann Nichts, und Keiner kann Alles. No one can do nothing, and no one can do everything.

Keines Mannes Herr, keines Herrn Mann. No man’s master, no master’s man.

Kinder und Narren sagen die Wahrheit. Children and fools speak the truth.

Kleine Diebe henkt man, vor großen zieht man den Hut ab. We hang little thieves, and take off our hats to great ones.

Kleine Feinde und kleine Wunden sind nicht zu verachten. Little enemies and little wounds are not to be despised.

Kleine Fische machen die Hechte groß. Little fishes make the pike big.

Kleine Häfen laufen bald über. Little pots soon run over.

Kleine Heilige thun auch Zeichen. Small saints too work miracles.

Kleiner Profit und oft, ist besser wie großer und selten. Small profits and often, are better than large profits and seldom.

Kluge Hühner legen auch in die Nesseln. Knowing hens lay even in nettles.

Kluge Männer suchen wirthliche Frauen. Prudent men choose frugal wives.

Könnte man jedes Ding zweimal machen, so stünd es besser in allen Sachen. Could everything be done twice, everything would be done better.

Krankes Fleisch, krankes Geist. Sickly body, sickly mind.

Kraue mich, so krau’ ich dich. Claw me, and I’ll claw thee.

Krummes Holz brennt eben so gut als gerades. Crooked wood burns quite as well as straight.

Küsters Kuh darf auf dem Kirchhof grasen. The beadle’s cow may graze in the churchyard.

Kunst hält bei einem Fest, wenn alles ihn verläßt. Art holds fast when all else is lost.

Kurze Haare sind bald gebürstet. Short hair is soon brushed.

Kurze Rechnung, lange Freundschaft. Short reckoning makes long friends.

L

Lade nicht alles in Ein Schiff. Do not ship all in one bottom.

Ländlich, sittlich. So many countries, so many customs.

Lang geborgt ist nicht geschenkt. Long borrowed is not given.

Lange fasten ist nicht Brotsparen. Long fasting is no economy of food.

Lange ist nicht ewig. Long is not for ever.

Langsam und gut. Slow and sure.

Laß deine Rechte nicht wissen, was deine Linke thut. Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth.

Laß den Gast ziehen ehe das Gewitter ausbricht. Let the guest go before the storm bursts.

Laß die Leute reden und die Hunde bellen. Let people talk and dogs bark.

Läßt man den Teufel in die Kirche, so will er auf den Altar. Let the devil get into the church, and he will mount the altar.

Lasset die Todten ruhen. Let the dead rest.

Leben und leben lassen. Live and let live.

Leere Tonnen geben großen Schall. Empty casks make the most sound.

Leichenpredigt, Lügenpredigt. Funeral sermon, lying sermon.

Leichte Bürden werden ferne schwer. Light burdens carried far become heavy.

Leichte Magen, schwerer Sinn. A light belly, heavy heart.

Licht ist Licht, wenn’s gleich der Blinde nicht sieht. Light is light, though the blind man see it not.

Lieb ohne Gegenliebist wie eine Frage ohne Antwort. Love without return is like a question without an answer.

Liebe deinen Nachbar, reiß aber den Zaun nicht ein. Love your neighbour, but don’t pull down the fence.

Liebe, Diebe und Furchtsamkeit, machen Gespenster. Love, thieves, and fear, make ghosts.

Liebe fängt bei sich selber an. Love begins at home.

Liebe, Feuer, Huften, Krätze, Gicht, lassen sich verbergen nicht. Love, fire, couch, the itch, and gout are not to be concealed.

Liebe kann viel, Geld kann Alles. Love can do much, money can do all.

Lieb wächst durch Kieb. Love grows with obstacles. (A wall between increases love.)

Liebe weiß verborgene Wege. Love knows hidden paths.

Lieben und Husten lassen sich nicht verbergen. Love and a cough cannot be hid.

Lieben und Singen läßt sich nicht zwingen. Loving and singing are not to be forced.

Lieber biegen als brechen. Better bend than break.

Lieber Neid denn Mitleid. Better envy than pity.

Liebeszorn ist neuer Liebeszunder. Love’s anger is fuel to love.

Ließe der Wolf sein Laufen, das Volk ließe sein Rufen. If the wolf would cease his running, the people would cease their shouting.

List gegen List. Trick against trick.

List geht über Gewalt. Cunning surpasses strength.

Loben ist nicht lieben. Praising is not loving.

Lösche das Feuer bei Zeiten, ehe es zum Dache hinausschlägt. Put out the fire betimes, ere it reach the roof.

Lösche das Licht aus, so sind alle Weiber gleich. Put the light out, and all women are alike.

Lüge ist die erste Staffel zum Galgen. Lying is the first step to the gallows.

Lügen haben kurze Beine. Lies have short legs.

Lügen zerschmelzen wie Schnee. Lies melt like snow.

Lügner muß ein gutes Gedächtniß haben. Liars should have good memories.

M

Mach dich nicht zu hoch, die Thür ist niedrig. Don’t carry your head too high, the door is low.

Mädchen sagen Nein und thun es doch. Maidens say no, and mean yes. (Maids say nay, and take.)

Man darf nur sterben um gelobt zu werden. One has only to die to be praised.

Man disputirt mehr über die Schaal, als über den Kern. There is more disputing about the shell than the kernel.

Man giebt dem Hunde nicht so oft Brot, als er mit dem Schwanze wedelt. The dog does not get bread every time he wags his tail.

Man kann durch eine Wand sehen, wenn ein Loch darin ist. One may see through a wall, if there’s a hole in it.

Man kann Gold zu theuer kaufen. One may buy gold too dear.

Man küßt das Kind wegen der Mutter und die Mutter wegen des Kindes. One kisses the child for the mother’s sake, and the mother for the child’s sake.

Man murmelt so lange von einem Dinge, bis es geschieht. Long-talked-of (or looked-for) comes at last.

Man muß das Eisen schmieden wann es warm ist. Strike while the iron is hot.

Man muß die Katze nicht im Sacke kaufen. Don’t buy a cat in a bag.

Man muß entweder ein König oder ein Narr geboren werden. One should be born either a king or a fool.

Man muß Heu machen, weil die Sonne scheint. Make hay while the sun shines.

Man muß mit den Pferden pflügen, die man hat. One must plough with the horses one has.

Man muß mit Pfaffen nicht anfangen oder sie todtschlagen. Either fight not with priests or beat them to death.

Man muß sein Licht nicht unter Scheffel stellen. Hide not your light under a bushel.

Man muß sich strecken nach der Decken. Stretch your legs according to your coverlet.

Man muß unreines Wasser nicht eher weggießen bis man reines hat. Don’t throw away your dirty water till you have got clean.

Man schlägt auf der Sack und meint den Müller. We beat the sack and mean the miller.

Man soll die Beute nicht vor dem Siege theilen. Don’t divide the spoil before the victory is won.

Man soll die Zeche nicht ohne den Wirth machen. Don’t reckon without your host.

Man soll nicht aus der Schule schwatzen. Tell no tales out of school.

Man soll nicht mehr Teufel rufen als man bannen kann. Raise no more devils than you can lay.

Man spart am Zapfen und läßt’s am Spundloch auslaufen. To save at the spiggot, and let it run out at the bung-hole. (Also Scotch.)

Man spricht, an vielerlei Leuten ist Mangel auf Erden: an Pfaffen, sonst dürfte einer nicht sechs bis sieben Pründen; an Adelichen, sonst wollte nicht jeder Bauer ein Junker sein; an Huren, sonst würden das Handwerk Eheweiber und Nonnen nicht treiben; an Juden, sonst würden Christen nicht wuchern. Folks say there is a lack of four sorts of people on earth: of priests, else one would not have six or seven benefices; of gentlemen, else every boor would not want to be a squire; of whores, else married women and nuns would not carry on the trade; of Jews, else Christians would not practise usury. (Trench quotes this as the longest Proverb known.)

Man verändert sich oft und bessert sich selten. People often change and seldom for the better.

Mann kann nicht länger Frieden halten, als der Nachbar will. One cannot keep peace longer than his neighbour will let him.

Mann muß kaufen wenn es Markt ist. Buy when it is market time.

Mann ohne Weib, ist Haupt ohne Leib; Weib ohne Mann, ist Leib ohne Haupt daran. Man without woman, is head without body; woman without man, is body without head.

Man muß sammeln wenn die Ernte da ist. One must glean at harvest time.

Man thut geschwind was lange gereut. We do in haste what we repent at leisure. (Marry in haste, and repent at leisure.)

Man weiß wohl was man hat, aber nicht was man bekommt. We know what we have, but not what we shall get.

Manche gute Kuh hat ein übel Kalb. Many a good cow has a bad calf.

Mancher droht und zittert vor Furcht. Many a one threatens, while he quakes for fear.

Mancher flieht einen Bach, und fällt in den Rhein. Many shun the brook, and fall into the river.

Mancher geht nach Wolle aus und kommt geschoren selbst nach Haus. Many go out for wool, and come home shorn.

Mancher hat was Gutes im Sinne, dem was Schlechtes in den Weg kommt. Many have good intentions, but something comes across them.

Mancher hütet sich vor dem Schwert und kommt an den Galgen. Many shun the sword, and come to the gallows.

Mancher nimmt mit Scheffeln und giebt mit Löffeln. Many take by the bushel, and give with the spoon.

Mancher sieht mit einem Auge mehr als ein Anderer mit zweien. Many see more with one eye than others with two.

Mancher sucht einen Pfennig, und verbrennt dabei ein Pfund. Penny wise, and pound foolish.

Maulesel treiben viel Parlaren daß ihre Voreltern Pferde waren. Mules make a great fuss about their ancestors having been horses.

Meines Freundes Feind ist oft mein bester Freund. My friend’s enemy is often my best friend.

Mißrechnung ist keine Zahlung. Misreckoning is no payment.

”Mit allem Pläsir,” sagt der Bauer, wenn er muß. “With great pleasure,” says the boor, when he must.

Mit beiden Beinen im Stock oder mit Einem, ist gleich viel. Both legs in the stocks or only one, ’tis all the same.

Mit dem Pfeiflein gewonnen, mit dem Trommlein verthan. Got with the fife, spent with the drum.

Mit der Mutter soll beginnen, wer die Tochter will gewinnen. Who the daughter would win, with mamma must begin.

Mit einem Handwerk kommt man weiter als mit tausend Gulden. A good trade will carry farther than a thousand florins.

Mit einem Tropfen Honig fängt man mehr Fliegen als mit einem Oxhoft Essig. A drop of honey catches more flies than a hogshead of vinegar.

Mit Geduld und Zeit wird’s Maulbeerblatt zum Atlas-Kleid. With patience and time the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.

Mit gleicher Münze zahlen. Pay in like coin.

Mit großen Herren ist nicht gut Kirschen essen, sie werfen Einem die Stein’ und Stiel’ ins Angesicht. They who eat cherries with the great, are like to have the stones and stalks flung in their face.

Mit Hunden fängt man Hasen, mit Lob die Narren und mit Geld die Frauen. Hares are caught with hounds, fools with praise, and women with gold.

Mit leerer Hand ist schwer Vögel fangen. It is hard to catch birds with an empty hand.

Mit Schweigen verräth sich Niemand. No one betrays himself by silence.

Mit Worten richtet man mehr aus als mit Händen. More is done with words than with hands.

Mittelweg ein sichrer Steg. The middle path is the safe path.

Mönch ins Kloster, Fisch ins Wasser, Dieb an’n Galgen. A monk in his cloister, a fish in the water, a thief on the gallows.

Mönche, Mäuse, Ratten, Maden, scheiden selten ohne zuschaden]. Monks, mice, rats, and vermin, seldom sunder without harming.

Morgenstunde hat Gold im Munde. The morning hour has gold in its mouth.

Müde Ochsen treten hart. Tired oxen tread hard.

Müller, Schneider und Weber, werden nicht gehenkt, das Handwerk gienge sonst aus. Millers, tailors, and weavers are not hanged, or the trade would soon be extinct.

Müller und Bäcker stehlen nicht, man bringt’s ihnen. Millers and bakers do not steal, people bring to them.

Müllers Henn’ und Wittwers Magd hat selten über Noth geklagt. The miller’s hen and widower’s maid, of want need never be afraid.

Mund und Herz sind eine ganze Spanne von einander. Mouth and heart are wide apart.

Muß ist eine harte Nuß. Must is a hard nut.

Müßiggang ist aller Laster Anfang. Idleness is the root of all evil.

Müßiggang ist des Teufels Ruhebank. An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.

Mutter, ich muß einen Mann ha’n, oder ich zünd’s Haus an. Mother, I must have a husband, or I shall set fire to the house.

Muttertreu wird täglich neu. Mother’s truth keeps constant youth.

N

Nach dem Essen sollst du stehen, oder tausend Schritte gehen. After dinner stand a while, or walk nearly half a mile.

Nach Regen kommt Sonnenschein. After rain comes sunshine.

Nach Weihnachten kommt Fasten. After Christmas comes Lent.

Nachbar über den Zaun, Nachbar wieder herüber. Neighbour once over the hedge, neighbour over it again.

Nachgeben stillt allen Krieg. Yielding stays war.

Nachher ist jeder klug. Every one is wise after the event.

Narren bauen Häuser, der Kluge kauft sie. Fools build houses, wise men buy them.

Narren Bolzen ist bald verschossen. A fool’s bolt is soon shot.

Narren soll man nicht auf Eier setzen. Fools must not be set on eggs.

Narren wachsen unbegossen”P2: old/typo: unbegießen? P3: unbegossen]. Fools grow without being watered.

Natur begiert wenig, Wahn viel. Nature requires little, fancy much.

Natur und Liebe lassen sich nicht bergen. Nature and love cannot be hid.

Natur zieht stärker denn sieben Ochsen. Nature draws stronger than seven oxen.

Neben dem Fluß einen Brunnen bohren. To sink a well by the river side.

Neid neidet sich selbst. Envy envies itself.

Neue Besen kehren gut. New brooms sweep clean.

Neue Kirchen und neue Wirthshäuser stehen selten leer. New churches and new taverns are seldom empty.

Neue Liedlein singt man gern. New songs are eagerly sung.

Neuem Gesetze folgt neuer Betrug. New laws, new roguery.

Neuer Arzt, neuer Kirchhof. New doctor, new churchyard.

Neukommen, willkommen. New come, welcome.

Neutrale wollen auf Eiern gehen und keines zertreten. Neutrals think to tread on eggs and break none.

Nicht alle Blumen taugen zum Sträußchen. Not all flowers are fit for nosegays.

Nicht alle Kugeln treffen. Not every ball hits.

Nicht alle sind Diebe, die der Hund anbellt. All are not thieves whom the dog barks at.

Nicht jeder Glühwurm ist Feuer. Every glow-worm is not fire. (Every light is not the sun.)

Nicht jedes Land hat alles zur Hand. Not every land has all at hand.

Nicht zu wenig, nicht zu viel. Not too little, not too much.

Nichts braucht keine Schlupfwinkel. Nought needs no hiding-place.

Nichts ist gut für die Augen, aber nicht für den Magen. Nought is good for the eyes, but not for the stomach.

Nichts ist so neu, als was längst vergessen ist. Nothing is so new as what has long been forgotten.

Nichts kühner als der Müller Hemd, das jeden Morgen einen Dieb beim Kragen nimmt. Nothing bolder than the miller’s shirt, that every morning collars a thief.

Nichts mit Hast als Flöhe fangen. Nothing should be done in a hurry except catching fleas.

Nichts sieht einem gescheidten Mann ähnlicher als ein Narr der das Maul hält. Nothing looks more like a man of sense than a fool who holds his tongue.

Nichts thun lehrt Uebel thun. Doing nothing teaches doing ill.

Nichts vertrocknet balder als Thränen. Nothing dries sooner than tears.

Nichts wiegt leichter als ein Versprechen. Nothing weighs lighter than a promise.

Niemand hat sich über’s Meer zu beklagen, der zum zweiten Male Schiffbruch litt. No one can complain of the sea who twice suffers shipwreck.

Niemand ist klug genug sich zu rathen. No one is wise enough to advise himself.

Niemand kann zugleich blasen und schlucken. No one can blow and swallow at the same time.

Niemand kann zweien Herren dienen. No man can serve two masters.

Niemand sieht seine eigene Fehler. No one sees his own faults.

Nimm die Welt wie sie ist, nicht wie sie seyn sollte. Take the world as it is, not as it ought to be.

Nimmer Geld, nimmer Gesell. No penny, no paternoster.

Noth bricht Eisen. Necessity breaks iron.

Noth kennt kein Gebot. Necessity has no law.

Noth lehrt auch den Lahmen tanzen. Necessity teaches even the lame to dance.

Noth lehrt Künste. Necessity teaches arts.

Noth sucht Brod wo es sich findet. Necessity seeks bread where it is to be found.

Noth vereinigt Herzen. Necessity unites hearts.

Nüchtern gedacht, voll gesagt. Thought when sober, said when drunk.

Nur Einer kann Kaiser sein. Only one can be emperor.

Nürenberger Witz und künstliche Hand finden Wege durch alle Land. Nurenberg wit and a skilful hand, will find their way through every land.

O

”O was müßen wir der Kirche Gottes halber leiden!” rief der Abt, als ihm das gebratene Huhn die Finger versengt. “O what we must suffer for the sake of God’s church!” said the abbot, when the roast fowl burned his fingers.

Ochs, wart’ des Grases. Ox, keep to your grass.

Offene Hand macht offene Hand. Open hand makes open hand.

Oft schießen trifft das Ziel. Often shooting hits the mark.

Ohne Eifersucht keine Liebe. No jealousy, no love.

Ohne Mehl und Wasser ist übel backen. It is bad baking without flour and water.

Ohne Wissen, ohne Sünde. Without knowledge, without sin.

Ost und West, daheim das Best. East or west, home is best.

P

Pfaffen lachen junge Weiber auch gern an. Priests even smile pleasantly on young women.

Pfaffen und Weiber vergessen nie. Priests and women never forget.

Pfaffen segnen sich zuerst. Priests bless themselves first.

Pfaffen sollen nicht aus der Beichte schwatzen. Priests should not prate out of the confessional.

Pfaffen zahlen einander keine Zehnten. Priests pay each other no tithes.

Pfaffenknechte essen mit Schweiß, von Arbeit werden sie nicht heiß. Priestly knaves sweat hard at their meat, but never at work get into a heat.

Pfau, schau deine Beine. Peacock, look at your legs.

Pfennig ist Pfennigs Bruder. Penny is penny’s brother.

Pflanze oft versetzt, gedeihet nicht. Plants oft removed never thrive.

Pflaumen kann man nicht zu Aepfeln machen. There’s no making apples of plums.

Pillen muß man schlingen, nicht kauen. Pills must be bolted, not chewed.

R

Rache bleibt nicht ungerochen. Revenge remains not unrevenged.

Rache ist neues Unrecht. Revenge is new wrong.

Rache macht ein kleines Recht zu großem Unrecht. Revenge converts a little right into a great wrong.

Rappelige Räder laufen am längsten. Crazy wheels run longest.

”Rast ich, so rost ich,” sagt der Schlüssel. “If I rest, I rust,” says the key.

Rath soll vor der That gehen. Advice should precede the act.

Rathe Niemand ungebeten. Never give advice unasked.

Rathen ist leichter denn helfen. Advising is easier than helping.

Rathen ist nicht zwingen. Advice is not compulsion.

Rathen ist oft besser denn fechten. Advising is often better than fighting.

Raubvögel singen nicht. Birds of prey do not sing.

Rechten und borgen macht Kummer und Sorgen. Disputing and borrowing cause grief and sorrowing.

Rede, daß ich dich sehe. Speak, that I may see thee.

Rede wenig, rede wahr. Zehre wenig, zahl baar. Speak little, speak truth. Spend little, pay cash.

Reden ist leichter als thun, und versprechen leichter als halten. Talking is easier than doing, and promising than performing.

Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Gold. Talking is silver, silence is gold.

Reden kommt von Natur, Schweigen vom Verstande. Speaking comes by nature, silence by understanding.

Reich ist genug, wer sich genügen läßt. He is rich enough who is contented.

Reiche Leute sind überall daheim. Rich people are everywhere at home.

Reiche Spieler und alte Trompeter sind selten. Rich gamblers and old trumpeters are rare.

Reichen giebt man, Armen nimmt man. We give to the rich, and take from the poor.

Reiner Mund und treue Hand, gehen durch das ganze Land. A clean mouth and honest hand, will take a man through any land.

Reu, des Herzens Arznei. Repentance is the heart’s medicine.

Richter sollen zwei gleiche Ohren haben. Judges should have two ears, both alike.

Rom ward nicht in einem Tage gebaut. Rome was not built in a day.

Rosen kann nicht jedermann pflücken. Not every one may pluck roses.

Rosen und Jungfern sind bald verblättert. Roses and maidens soon lose their bloom.

”Roth ist die Farbe der Liebe,” sagte der Buhler zu seinem fuchsfarbenen Schatz. “Red is Love’s colour,” said the wooer to his foxy charmer.

Rücke nicht, wenn du wohl sitzest. Don’t budge, if you sit at ease.

Rufe nicht “Juch!” bis du über den Graben bist. Don’t cry “Hurra!” till you are over the ditch.

Ruh kommt aus Unruh, und wieder Unruh aus Ruh. Rest comes from unrest, and unrest from rest.

S

Sänger, Buhler und Poeten, lügen viel. Singers, lovers, and poets, are privileged liars.

Sag eine Lüge, so hörst du die Wahrheit. Tell a lie, and you’ll hear the truth.

Sage nicht Alles, was du weißt; glaube nicht Alles, was du hörst; thue nicht Alles, was du kanst. Tell not all you know; believe not all you hear; do not all you are able.

Sagen und Thun ist zweierlei. Saying and doing are two things.

Salz und Brot macht die Wangen roth. Salt and bread make the cheeks red.

Sammt und Seide löschen das Feuer in der Küche aus. Silk and velvet put out the kitchen fire.

Samson war ein starker Mann, aber er konnte nicht zahlen ehe er Geld hatte. Samson was a strong man, but he could not pay money before he had it.

Sanct Martin war ein milder man, trank gerne Cerevisiam; und hat er kein Pecuniam, so ließ er seine Tunicam. Saint Martin was an easy man, he loved to drink Cerevisiam; and when he’d no Pecuniam, he left in pledge his Tunicam.

Schälke muß man mit Schälken fangen. Set a thief to catch a thief.

Schäme dich deines Handwerks nicht. Be not ashamed of your craft.

Schein betrügt. Appearances are deceitful.

Scherze nicht mit Ernst. Jest not in earnest. (Motto of the Margrave of Brandenburg.)

Schick dich in die Zeit. Suit yourself to the times.

Schlachte nicht mehr als du wohl kannst salzen. Slaughter no more than you can well salt.

Schlafende Hunde soll man nicht wecken. Wake not a sleeping dog.

Schlecht gefahren ist besser als stolz zu Fuß. Better badly mounted than proud on foot.

Schlechtes Geld kommt immer wieder. Bad money always comes back.

Schlimmer Anfang bringt wohl gutes Ende. A bad beginning may make a good ending.

Schloß und Schlüssel macht man nicht für treue Finger. Locks and keys are not made for honest fingers.

Schmeichler sind Katzen die vorne lecken und hinten kratzen. Flatterers are cats that lick before and scratch behind.

Schnell genug, wär’s gut genug. Quick enough, if but good enough.

Schnell Glück, schnell Unfall. Speedy rise, speedy fall. (Sudden glory soon goes out.)

Schön ist, was schön thut. Handsome is that handsome does.

Schöne Aepfel sind auch wohl sauer. Handsome apples are sometimes sour.

Schöne Blumen stehen nicht lange am Wege. Fair flowers do not remain long by the wayside.

Schöne Worte füllen den Sack nicht. Fair words don’t fill the pocket.

Schöne Worte gemacht, ist halb verkauft. Words fine and bold, are goods half sold.

Schöne Worte machen den Kohl nicht fett. Fair words don’t butter the cabbage.

Schönen Tag soll man loben, wann es Nacht ist. Praise a fine day at night.

Schrei nicht Juchhe! bis du über den Zaun bist. Don’t cry hurra! till you are over the hedge (till you are out of the wood).

Schreibe dem Teufel auf ein Horn: “guter Engel!” und manche glaubens. Write on one of the devil’s horns, “Good angel,” and many will believe it.

Schuster bleib bei deinem Leisten. Shoemaker stick to your last.

Schwarze Kühe geben auch weiße Milch. Black cows give white milk.

Schweig, ober rede etwas, das besser ist denn Schweigen. Be silent, or say something better than silence.

Schweigen und Denken kann Niemand kränken. Silence and reflection cause no dejection.

Schweigender Hund beißt am ersten. The silent dog is the first to bite.

Schweißwasser giebt guten Mörtel. Sweat makes good mortar.

Sei Hur ober Dieb, hast du Geld so bist du lieb. Whore or thief, young or old, welcome so you’ve got the gold.

Seine Hühner legen Eier die zwei Dotter haben. His hens lay eggs with two yolks.

Selbst gethan, ist bald gethan. Self-done, is soon done. (Never trust to another what you should do yourself.)

Selbst ist der Mann. Self is the man.

Selten kommt Besser nach. A better seldom comes after.

Senf nach der Tafel. After meat comes mustard.

Setzt einen Frosch auf goldenen Stuhl, er hüpft doch wieder in den Pfuhl. Though you seat the frog on a golden stool, he’ll soon jump off again into the pool.

Sey, was du seyn willst. Be the thing you would be called. (Be as you would seem to be.)

Sicherheit ist des Unglücks erste Ursache. Security is the first cause of misfortune.

Sicherheit ist nirgends sicher. Security is nowhere safe.

Sie hat ihn lieb – auf der Seite wo die Tasche hängt. She is fond of him – on the side where the pocket hangs.

Sie streiten um ein Ei, und lassen die Henne fliegen. They wrangle about an egg, and let the hens fly away.

Siedet der Topf, so blühet die Freundschaft. While the pot boils, friendship blooms.

Siegen kommt nicht vom Liegen. Victory is not gained by idleness.

Siehe erst auf dich, dann richte mich. First look at home, then censure me.

Sieht doch wohl die Katze den Kaiser an. A cat may look at a king.

Sieht man’s, so spiel ich; sieht man’s nicht, so stiehl ich. If I am seen, I am joking; if I am not seen, I steal.

So geht es in der Welt: der Eine hat den Beutel, der Andere hat das Geld. So it goes in the world: one has the purse, the other has the gold.

So mancher Mensch, so manche Sitte. So many countries, so many customs.

Sobald Gesetze ersonnen, wird Betrug begonnen. As fast as laws are devised, their evasion is contrived.

Sohnesweib haßt Mannesmutter. Daughter-in-law hates mother-in-law.

Soldaten muß man wohl zahlen und wohl henken. Soldiers must be well paid, and well hanged.

Soll die Ampel brennen, so muß man Oel zugießen. If you would have the lamp burn, you must pour oil into it.

Soll ich ersaufen, so muß es in saubern Wasser seyn. If I am to be drowned, it shall be in clean water.

Sollten alle Ehebrecher graue Röcke tragen, so würde das Tuch theuer. Were all adulterers to wear grey coats, the cloth would be dear.

Sommersaat und Weiberrath geräth alle sieben Jahre einmal. Summer sown corn and women’s advice turn out well once in every seven years.

Sorgen macht graue Haare und Alter ohne Jahre. Care brings on grey hairs, and age without years.

Sparen ist größere Kunst als erwerben. Saving is a greater art than gaining.

Spät Obst liegt lange. Late fruit keeps well.

Spitzig’ Kinn, böser Sinn. There’s cunning in a pointed chin.

Stetes tropfen höhlt den Stein. Constant dropping wears the stone.

Starke Leute haben starke Krankheit. Strong folks have strong maladies.

Starker Leute Spiel ist kranker Leute Todt. The strong man’s sport is the sickly man’s death.

Steckenpferde sind theuerer als arabische Hengste. Hobby horses are dearer than Arabians.

Stehend’ Wasser wird stinkend. Stagnant water grows stinking.

Stelle und Stunde machen einen Dieb. Time and place make the thief.

Stille Wasser sind tief. Still waters run deep.

Strecke dich nach der Decke. Stretch yourself according to your coverlid. (Cut your coat according to your cloth.)

Stumme Hunde und stille Wasser sind gefährlich. Dumb dogs and still water are dangerous.

Süßer Gesang hat manchen betrogen. Sweet song has betrayed many.

Süßer Wein giebt sauern Essig. Sweet wine makes sour vinegar.

T

Tadeln ist leicht, besser machen ist schwer. It is easier to blame than do better.

Tadeln kann ein jeder Bauer, besser machen wird ihm sauer. Every clown can find fault, though it would puzzle him to do better.

Tapfer angegriffen ist halb gefochten. A bold onset is half the battle.

Tauben Ohren ist bös prediger. It is bad preaching to deaf ears.

Tausch ist kein Raub. Exchange is no robbery.

Teufel muß man mit Teufeln austreiben. Devils must be driven out with devils.

Theure Arznei hilft immer, wenn nicht dem Kranken doch dem Apotheker. Dear physic always does good, if not to the patient, at least to the apothecary.

Theurer Honig, den man aus Dornen muß lecken. It is dear honey that must be licked off thorns.

Thue was du thuest. Do what thou doest. (Age quod agis.)

Todte Hunde beißen nicht. Dead dogs don’t bite.

Töchter sind leicht zu erziehen, aber schwer zu verheirathen. Daughters are easy to rear, but hard to marry.

Trage Jeder seinen Sack zur Mühle. Let every man carry his own sack to the mill.

Trau-wohl hat die Kuh gestohlen. Good faith stole the cow.

Trau-wohl, reit’ das Pferd hinweg. Trust well rides away with the horse.

Traue, aber nicht zu viel. Trust, but not too much.

Traue keinem, du habest denn einen Scheffel Salz mit ihm gegessen. Trust no one till you have eaten a bushel of salt with him.

Traue, schaue Wem! Trust, beware whom!

Träume sind Schäume. Dreams are froth.

Treue ist ein seltener Gast, halt ihn fest, wo du ihn hast. Good faith is a seldom guest, when you have him, hold him fast.

Trinkt eine Gans, so trinken sie alle. When one goose drinks, all drink.

Tritt der Kummer in’s Haus, fliegt die Liebe zum Fenster hinaus. When misfortune comes in at the door, love flies out of the window.

Trunken klug, nüchtern närrisch. The wise drunkard is a sober fool.

Trunkener Mund redet aus Herzens Grund. The drunken mouth reveals the heart’s secrets.

Tugend leidet oft Noth, aber nicht den Tod. Virtue never dies.

Tugend überwindet Gewalt. Virtue subdues power.

Tugend wächst im Unglück. Virtue flourishes in misfortune.

U

Uebel Botschaft kommt immer zu früh. Bad tidings always come too soon.

Uebel gewonnen, übel zerronnen. Ill got, ill spent.

Uebel Henne, die in Nachbars Häuser legt. It is a bad hen that lays in neighbours’ houses.

Ueberfluß bringt Ueberdruß. Satiety causes disgust. (Abundance begets indifference.)

Uebung bringt Kunst. Practice makes perfect.

Uebung macht den Meister. Practice makes the master.

Um des Kindes willen küsset man die Amme. One kisses the nurse for the sake of the child.

Umkehren ist besser als irre gehen. It is better to turn back than go astray.

Undank ist der Welt Lohn. Ingratitude is the world’s reward.

Undank macht wohlthun krank. Ingratitude sickens benevolence.

Ungebetener Dienst hat keinen Dank. Services unrequired go unrequited.

Ungeladener Gast ist eine Last. The unbidden guest is ever a pest.

Ungelegte Eier sind ungewisse Hühnlein. Unlaid eggs are uncertain chickens.

Ungerechter Frieden ist besser als gerechter Krieg. Better an unjust peace than a just war. (Better a lean peace than a fat victory.)

Ungerechter Pfennig verzehrt gerechten Thaler. The unrighteous penny consumes the righteous dollar.

Unglück, Holz und Haar, wachsen alle Tage. Misfortune, wood, and hair, grow throughout the year.

Unkraut vergeht nicht. Weeds never die.

Unmäßigkeit ist der Aerzte Säugamme. Intemperance is the doctor’s wet-nurse.

Unrecht Gut thut nicht gut. Ill-gotten goods seldom prosper.

Unsers Nachbaren Kinder sind allweg die bösesten. Our neighbour’s children are always the worst.

Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König. The one-eyed is a king among the blind.

Unter zwei Uebeln muß man das kleinste wählen. Of two evils choose the least.

Unverhofft kommt oft. Unlooked-for often comes.

Unzeitige Wahrheit ist einer Lüge gleich. Truth ill-timed is as bad as a lie. (Truth should not always be revealed.)

V

Verbotenes Obst ist süß. Forbidden fruit is sweet.

Vergeben ist nicht vergessen. Forgiven is not forgotten.

Vergieb und vergesse. Forgive and forget.

Verheißen macht Schuld. A promise is a debt.

Verletzen ist leicht, heilen schwer. ’Tis easier to hurt than heal.

Verliebte Köchin versalzt die Speisen. A lovelorn cook oversalts the porridge.

Verrath ist angenehm, Verräther verhaßt. The treason is loved, the traitor hated.

Verraths kann sich Niemand erwehren. No one can guard against treachery.

Verschlossener Mund und offene Augen haben Niemand was geschadet. A close mouth and open eyes never did any one harm.

Verschoben ist nicht aufgehoben. Deferred is not annulled. (Forbearance is no acquittance.)

Versengte Katzen leben lange. Singed cats live long.

Versprechen füllt den Magen nicht. Promises don’t fill the belly.

Versprechen ist Eins und halten ein Anderes. Promising is one thing, performing another.

Verstand kommt nicht vor den Jahren. Reason does not come before years.

Vertrauen weckt Vertrauen. Confidence begets confidence.

Verzagt’ Herz freit nimmer ein schön’ Weib. Faint heart never won fair lady.

Verzagte Hunde bellen am meisten. Timid dogs bark most.

Verzeih dir nichts und Andern viel. Forgive thyself nothing and others much.

Viel Geld, viele Freunde. Much money, many friends. (Where money, there friends.)

”Viel Geschrei und wenig Wolle,” sagte der Narr und schor ein Schwein. “Great cry and little wool,” said the fool, when he sheared a pig.

Viel verthun und wenig erwerben ist der Weg um zu verderben. To spend much and gain little is the sure road to ruin.

Viele Erben machen schmale Theile. Many heirs make small portions.

Viele Freunde und wenige Nothhelfer. Many friends, and few helpers in need.

Viele Hände machen bald ein Ende. Many hands make quick work.

Viele Handwerke, Betteln das Beste. Many trades, begging the best.

Viele Hunde sind des Hasen Tod. Many hounds are the death of the hare.

Viele Köche verderben den Brei. Many cooks spoil the broth.

Viele können Einem helfen. Many can help one.

Viele Köpfe, viele Sinne. So many men, so many minds.

Viele Prediger sind, die selbst nicht hören. There are many preachers who don’t hear themselves.

Viele Säcke sind des Esels Tod. Too many sacks are the death of the ass.

Viele Streiche fällen die Eiche. The repeated stroke will fell the oak.

Vier Augen sehen mehr als zwei. Four eyes see more than two.

Von der Hand zum Munde, verschüttet mancher die Suppe. Between the hand and the lip the soup may be spilt.

Von einem Funken kommt ein großes Feuer. A little spark kindles a great fire.

Von einem Streiche fällt keine Eiche. A single stroke don’t fell the oak.

Von fern lügt man gern. They who come from afar are prone to lie.

”Von Herzen gern!” sagt der Bauer, wenn er muß. “With all my heart!” says the boor, when he must.

Von kleinem Grase wächst ein großes Thier. Out of a little grass comes a great ass.

Von Worten zu Werken ein weiter Weg. Between wording and working is a long road.

Vögel von gleichen Federn fliegen gern beisammen. Birds of a feather flock together.

Volkes Stimme, Gottes Stimme. The people’s voice, God’s voice.

Volle Fässer klingen nicht. Full vessels give the least sound.

Vor lachenden Wirthinn und weinenden Pfaffen hüte dich. Beware of laughing hosts and weeping priests.

Vor Liebe frißt der Wolf das Schaf. For love the wolf eats the sheep.

Vorrath nimmer schadet. Store is no sore.

Vorrede spart Nachrede. Fore-talk spares after-talk.

Vorsicht schadet nicht. Safe bind, safe find.

W

Wächst die Ehre spannenlang, wächst die Thorheit ellenlang. Where honour grows a span, folly grows an ell.

Wahn erheischt viel, Noth bedarf wenig. Fancy requires much, necessity but little.

Während das Gras wächst, ist der Hengst todt. While the grass grows, the steed starves.

Wahrheit findet keine Herberge. Truth finds no asylum.

Wahrheit giebt kurzen Bescheid, Lüge macht viel Redens. Truth gives a short answer, lies go round about.

Wahrheit ist der Zeit Tochter. Truth is the daughter of time.

Wahrheit kriecht in keine Mäuselöcher. Truth creeps not into comers.

Wahrheit thut der Zunge weh. Truth makes the tongue smart.

Wahrheit wird wohl gedrückt, aber nicht erstickt. Truth may be suppressed, but not strangled.

Wahrmanns Haus steht am längsten. Trueman’s house stands the longest.

Wald hat Ohren, Feld hat Augen. Woods have ears, fields have eyes.

Wallfahrer kommen selten heiliger nach Hause. Pilgrims seldom come home saints.

Wälzender Stein wird nicht mooßig. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Wär’ ich ein Hutmacher worden, so kämen die Leut’ ohne Kopf zur Welt. Were I a hatter, men would come into the world without heads.

Wäre Holzhauen ein Orden, wären nicht so viele Mönche geworden. If wood-hewing were an order, there would be fewer monks.

Wären wir alle gescheidt, so gält’ ein Narr hundert Thaler. If every one were wise, a fool would be the prize.

Wärme dich weil das Feuer brennt. Make hay while the sun shines.

Was bald reif, hält nicht steif. What ripens fast does not last.

Was das Auge nicht sieht, bekümmert das Herz nicht. What the eye sees not, the heart rues not.

Was dem Einen recht ist, ist dem Andern billig. What is right for the one is reasonable for the other.

Was den Raben gehört, ertrinkt nicht. What belongs to the ravens is never drowned.

Was der Eine nicht backt, das brauet der Andere. What one does not bake, another brews.

Was der Löwe nicht kann, das kann der Fuchs. What the lion cannot, the fox can.

Was der Pfau am Kopfe zu wenig hat, hat er am Schwanze zu viel. What the peacock has too little on his head, he has too much on his tail.

Was die Augen sehen, glaubt das Herz. What the eyes see, the heart believes.

Was die Fürsten geigen, müssen die Unterthanen tanzen. As princes fiddle, subjects must dance.

Was dir zu hoch ist, daß laß fliegen. What is too high, that let fly.

Was drei wissen, erfahren bald dreißig. What three know will soon be known to thirty.

Was du dem Freunde leihest, das mahnt der Feind. What you lend to a friend, an enemy sues for.

Was du thun willst, thue bald. What you do, do quickly.

Was Gott zusammenfügt, das soll der Mensch nicht scheiden. What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

Was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt Hans nimmer. What Master Jacky does not learn, Mr. John never knows.

Was hilft laufen, wenn man nicht auf dem rechten Weg ist? What is the use of running, when we are not on the right road?

Was hilft’s, daß die Kuh viel Milch giebt, wenn sie den Eimer umstößt. Of what use is it that the cow gives plenty of milk, if she upsets the pail.

Was! ich sollt einen Hund füttern und selbst bellen? What! keep a dog and bark myself?

Was Jeder thun soll, thut Keiner. Everybody’s business is nobody’s business.

Was keine Sünde, ist keine Schande. What is no sin, is no shame.

Was kümmert’s den Mond, wenn ihn die Hunde anbellen? What does the moon care if the dogs bay at her?

Was man nicht am Heu hat, hat man am Stroh. What we want in hay we make up in straw.

Was man nicht im Kopfe hat, muß man in den Leinen haben. Who falls short in the head, must be long in the heels.

Was man nicht kann meiden, muß man willig leiden. What can’t be cured, must be endured.

Was Menschenhände machen, können Menschenhände verderben. What man has made, man can destroy.

Was nicht nimmt Christus, das nimmt Fiscus. What is not taken by the Church is taken by the Exchequer.

Was nichts nützet ist geschenkt zu theuer. What’s of no use is too dear at a gift.

Was Pfaffen beißen und Wölfe, ist schwer zu heilen. The bites of priests and wolves are hard to heal.

Was schadet des Hundes bellen, der nicht beißt? What signifies the barking of a dog that don’t bite?

Was schadet ein gut’ Wort? Braucht man’s doch nicht zu kaufen. What harm is there in a good word? It costs nothing.

Was selten kommt, kommt wohl scharf. What comes seldom, comes sharp.

Was soll der Honig in Esels Maule? What’s the use of putting honey in an ass’s mouth.

Was von Herzen kommt, das geht zu Herzen. What comes from the heart, goes to the heart.

Was wehe thut, das lehrt. What smarts, teaches.

Wasser in’s Meer tragen. To carry water to the sea.

Wasser ist das stärkste Getränk, es treibt Mühlen. Water is the strongest drink; it drives mills.

Weiber findet man nimmer ohne Rede. Women are never at a loss for words.

Weiber, Glück und Gold, sind allen Narren hold. Women, fortune, and gold, favour fools.

Weiber hüten ist vergebliche Arbeit. Watching women is labour in vain.

Weiber-Schönheit, das Echo im Wald; und Regenbogen vergehen bald. Woman’s beauty, the forest echo, and rainbows, soon pass away.

Weiber sind unrichtige Uhren. Women are watches that keep bad time.

Weiber sind veränderlich wie Aprilwetter. Women are as fickle as April weather.

Weiberrache hat keine Grenzen. A woman’s vengeance knows no bounds.

Wein auf Bier rath ich dir, Bier auf Wein das laß sein. Wine upon beer is very good cheer; beer upon wine consider with fear.

Wein und Weiber machen alle Welt zu Narren. Wine and women make fools of everybody.

Weise sein ist nicht allzeit gut. It is not always good to be wise.

Weiser Mann, starker Mann. A wise man, a strong man.

Weinende Braut, lachende Frau. The weeping bride makes a laughing wife.

Weit vom Streite macht alte Kriegsleute. Away from the battle all are soldiers. (Of war all can tattle, away from the battle.)

Wem das Glück pfeifet, der tanzet wohl. He dances well to whom fortune pipes.

Wem das Glück wohl will, dem will niemand übel. Whom fortune favours, the world favours.

Wem es allezeit zu früh dünkt, der kommt gewiß zu spät. He who always thinks it is too soon, is sure to come too late.

Wem Gott ein Amt giebt, dem giebt er auch Verstand. Where God bestows an office, he provides brains to fill it.

Wem’s juckt, der kratze sich. Let him that itches, scratch himself.

Wem man giebt, der schreibt’s in den Sand; wem man nimmt, der schreibt’s in Stahl und Eisen. What you give, is written in sand; what you take, with an iron hand.

Wem nicht zu rathen ist, dem ist auch nicht zu helfen. He who won’t be advised, can’t be helped.

Wem wohl ist, der schweige. Let him who is well off hold his tongue.

Wen Viele fürchten, der muß Viele fürchten. He who is feared by many, fears many.

Wenig und oft macht zuletzt viel. Little and often makes a heap in time.

Wenig unternehmen giebt viel Frieden. Small undertakings give great comfort.

Weniger Rath und viele Hände. Less advice and more hands.

Wenn alte Gäul’ in Gang kommen, sind sie kaum zu halten. When old horses get warm, they are not easily held in.

Wenn das Glück anpocht, soll man ihm aufthun. When fortune knocks, open the door.

Wenn das Schiff gut geht, will jeder Schiffherr sein. In a calm sea, every man is a pilot.

Wenn das Wort heraus ist, gehört’s einem Andern. When the word is out, it belongs to another.

Wenn der Diener reich wird und der Herr arm, so taugen sie beide nichts. If the servant grows rich and the master poor, they are both good for nothing.

Wenn der Fuchs Gänse fangen will, wedelt er mit dem Schwanze. When the fox wants to catch geese, he wags his tail.

Wenn der Fuchs predigt, so nimm die Gänse in Acht. When the fox preaches, look to the geese.

Wenn der Fürst einen Apfel will, so nehmen seine Diener den ganzen Baum. If the prince wants an apple, his servants take the tree.

Wenn der Gast am liebsten ist, soll er wandern. When the guest is in most favour, he will do well to quit.

Wenn der Hund wacht, mag der Hirte schlafen. When the dog is awake, the shepherd may sleep.

Wenn der Sack voll ist, reckt er die Ohren. When the sack is full, it pricks up its ears.

Wenn der Scherz am besten ist, soll man aufhören. When the jest is at its best, ’twill be well to let it rest.

Wenn die Armuth zur Thür eingeht, so fliegt die Liebe zum Fenster hinaus. When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out at the window.

Wenn die Birne reif ist, fällt sie ab. When the pear is ripe, it falls.

Wenn die Herren vom Rathhause kommen, so sind sie klüger, als da sie hinaufgingen. When the lords come out of the council-house, they are wiser than when they went in.

Wenn die Hirten sich zanken, hat der Wolf gewonnen Spiel. When shepherds quarrel, the wolf has a winning game.

Wenn die Katze außer dem Hause ist, tanzen die Mäuse. When the cat’s away the mice will play.

Wenn die Kuh den Schwanz verloren hat, merkt sie es erst, wozu er gut gewesen ist. It is not till the cow has lost her tail, that she discovers its value.

Wenn die Narren kein Brot äßen, wäre das Korn wohlfeil. If fools were to eat no bread, corn would be cheap.

Wenn die Noth am größten, ist die Hilf’ am nächsten. When need is greatest, help is nearest.

Wenn ein Bettler auf’s Pferd kömmt, so kann ihm kein Teufel mehr voreilen. Set a beggar on horseback, and he’ll outride the devil.

Wenn ein Blinder den andern führt, fallen sie beide in den Graben. When blind leads blind, both fall into the ditch.

Wenn eine Hölle ist, so steht Rom darauf. If there be a hell, Rome is built over it.

Wenn Gott ein Land strafen will, nimmt er den Herren die Weisheit. When God means to punish a nation, he deprives the rulers of wisdom.

Wenn Gott sagt: Heute, sagt der Teufel: Morgen. When God says To-day, the devil says To-morrow.

Wenn man dem Volk die Ziegel doppelt, so kommt Moses. When the tale of bricks is doubled, then comes Moses.

Wenn man den Wolf nennt, so kömmt er gerennt. Talk of the devil, and his imp appears.

Wenn man reich ist, fängt man an zu sparen. When a man is rich, he begins to save.

Wenn mancher Mann wüßt’, wer mancher Mann wär, dann mancher Mann manchem man, erzeigte mehr Ehr’. If some men knew who some men were, then some would pay the more honour there.

Wenn’s Kalb gestohlen ist, bessert der Bauer den Stall. When the calf is stolen, the peasant mends the stall.

Wenn’s Maaß voll ist, läuft es über. When the measure is full, it runs over.

Wer A sagt, muß auch B sagen. He that says A, must also say B.

Wer Allen dient, macht sich Keinem verbindlich. Who makes friends of all, keeps none.

Wer allerlei Holz auflieset, hat bald einen Arm voll. He that picks up all sorts of wood, soon gets an armful.

Wer Alles haben will, bekommt am Ende nichts. He who grasps at all, holds nothing fast.

Wer allzeit säuft, und allzeit schlemmt, behält zuletzt kein ganzes Hemd. He who is always drinking and stuffing, will in time become a ragamuffin.

Wer am Boden liegt, über den läuft Jedermann. He who lies on the ground must expect to be trodden on.

Wer an dem Wege bauet, der hat viele Meister. He who builds by the road-side has many masters.

Wer Andere anschwärzt, ist darum nicht weiß. Who blackens others, does not whiten himself.

Wer Andere jagt, muß selber laufen. He that hunts others, must run himself.

Wer Andern eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein. He who digs a pit for others falls into it himself.

Wer Arbeit liebt und sparsam zehrt, der sich in aller Welt ernährt. Who loves his work and knows to spare, may live and flourish anywhere.

Wer auf halbem Wege umkehrt, irrt nur zur Hälfte. He who stops half way is only half in error.

Wer aus Liebe heirathet, hat gute Nächte und üble Tage. He that marries for love has good nights, but sorry days.

Wer austheilen will, muß auch einnehmen. He who gives, must take (meaning a joke).

Wer bald gibt, der doppelt gibt. He who gives quickly, gives doubly.

Wer beim Wolf Gevatter stehen will, muß einen Hund unter seinem Mantel haben. He who stands godfather to a wolf should have a dog under his cloak.

Wer bringt, ist willkommen. He who brings, is welcome.

Wer da bauet an der Straßen, muß die Leute reden lassen. He who builds on the public way, must let the people have their say.

Wer da fällt, über den läuft alle Welt. When a man is down, everybody runs over him.

Wer das Kleine achtet, ist des Großen würdig. He who prizes little things, is worthy of great ones.

Wer dem Haufen folgt, hat viele Gesellen. He who follows the crowd has many companions.

Wer dem Kinde die Nase wischt, küßt der Mutter den Backen. He who wipes the child’s nose, means to kiss the mother’s cheek.

Wer dem Pöbel dient, hat ’nen schlechten Herrn. He who serves the people has a bad master.

Wer dem Spiele zusieht, kann’s am besten. He who looks on knows more of the game than he who plays.

Wer den Acker pflegt, den pflegt der Acker. Take care of your plough, and your plough will take care of you.

Wer den Armen giebt, leihet dem Herrn. He who gives to the poor, lends to the Lord.

Wer den Armen leihet, dem zahlet Gott die Zinsen. He who lends to the poor, gets his interest from God.

Wer den Credit verloren hat, der ist todt für die Welt. He that has lost his credit is dead to the world.

Wer den einen Fuß im Hurenhaus hat, hat den andern im Spital. He who has one foot in a brothel, has the other in a hospital.

Wer den Kern essen will, muß die Nuß knacken. He that wants the kernel must crack the nut.

Wer den Nagel am Hufeisen nicht achtet, verliert auch das Pferd. He who heeds not the lost shoe-nail, will soon lose the horse.

Wer den Pabst zum Vetter hat, kann bald Kardinal werden. He who has the Pope for his cousin may soon be a Cardinal.

Wer den Schalk hinter sich läßt, der hat eine gute Tagreise gethan. He who has left a rogue behind him, has made a good day’s journey.

Wer den Sieg behält, der hat Recht. He who has victory, has right.

Wer den Teufel einmal in’s Haus geladen, kann sein’ nimmermehr abkommen. He who has once invited the devil into his house, will never be rid of him.

Wer der Bösen schont, schadet den Frommen. He who spares vice, wrongs virtue.

Wer die Augen nicht aufthut, muß den Beutel aufthun. He who does not open his eyes must open his purse.

Wer die Kunst nicht übt, verlernt sie bald. Practise not your art, and ’twill soon depart.

Wer die Leiter hält, ist so schuldig wie der Dieb. He who holds the ladder is as bad as the thief.

Wer die Leiter hinauf will, muß bei der untersten Sproße anfangen. He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom.

Wer die Tochter will gewinnen, mit der Mutter soll beginnen. He who would the daughter win, with the mother must begin.

Wer drei Feinde hat, muß sich mit zweien vertragen. He who has three enemies must agree with two.

Wer droht, der warnt. Who threatens, warns.

Wer Ehre verdient, bekommt sie nicht; und wer sie hat, verdient sie nicht. They who deserve honour, fail of it; and they who obtain it, do not deserve it.

Wer Eier haben will, muß sich das Gackern gefallen lassen. He who will have eggs, must bear with the cackling.

Wer Eier unter den Füßen hat, muß leis’ auftreten. He who treads on eggs, must tread lightly.

Wer ein gläsern’ Dach hat, muß andere nicht mit Steinen werfen. He who has a glass roof must not throw stones at others.

Wer ein Haus kauft, hat manchen Balken und Nagel umsonst. He who buys a house gets many a plank and nail for nothing.

Wer ein Kalb stiehlt, stiehlt eine Kuh. Who steals a calf, steals a cow.

Wer einen Aal beim Schwanz und Weiber faßt bei Worten, wie feste der auch hält, hält nichts an beiden Orten. Who takes an eel by the tail or a woman by her word, grasp as he will, holds nothing fast.

Wer einen Bauer betrügen will, muß einen Bauer mitbringen. He who would cheat a peasant, must take one with him.

Wer einen Betrüger betrügt und einen Dieb bestiehlt, erlangt für 100 Jahre Ablaß. He who cheats a cheat and robs a thief, earns a dispensation for 100 years.

Wer einen Heller erbt, muß einen Thaler bezahlen. He who inherits a farthing, is expected to disburse a dollar.

Wer einen Kopf hat, bekommt leicht einen Hut. Who has a head won’t want for a hat.

Wer einen lobt in Præsentia und schimpft in Absentia, den hole die Pestilentia. He who praises in præsentia, and abuses in absentia, have with him pestilentia.

Wer einen Stein über sich wirft, dem fällt er leicht auf den Kopf. Who throws a stone above himself may have it fall on his own head. (Ecclus. xxvii. 25.)

Wer einmal stiehlt, der bleibt ein Dieb. Once a thief, always a thief.

Wer ekel ist, entbehrt manchen guten Bissen. Who is over nice, loses many a slice.

Wer empfing, der rede; wer gab, der schweige. Who receives, should thank; who gives, should be silent.

Wer Feuer bedarf, suche es in der Asche. If you want fire, look for it in the ashes.

Wer findet ehe verloren wird, der stirbt ehe er krank wird. He who finds what has not been lost, will chance to die before he is ill.

Wer fürchtet, er thue zu viel, der thut immer zu wenig. He who is afraid of doing too much, always does too little.

Wer geringe Dinge wenig acht’t, sich um geringere Mühe macht. Who heeds not little things, will be troubled about lesser ones.

Wer gern borgt, bezahlet nicht gern. He who is quick at borrowing, is slow in paying.

Wer gern borgt, lügt gern. Who readily borrows, readily lies. (Debtors are liars.)

Wer gern freien will, muß nicht lange wählen. He who fain would marry, in choice should not tarry.

Wer gewinnen will, lerne vertragen. Who would win, must learn to bear.

Wer gewinnt, spielt am besten. He plays best, who wins.

Wer gut bezahlt, kann wieder borgen. He who pays well may borrow again.

Wer gute Beine hat, hat oft schlechte Stiefeln. He that has good legs, has often bad boots.

Wer gute Nachbarn hat, bekommt ’nen guten Morgen. He who has good neighbours, gets a good morning.

Wer hängen soll, ersäuft nicht. He that is born to be hanged will never be drowned.

Wer hat, der behalt’; Liebe wird alt, Unglück kommt bald. Who has, let him thereof take heed; love wanes, misfortune comes with speed.

Wer heirathet, thut wohl, wer ledig bleibt, thut besser. He who marries does well, but who remains single does better.

Wer hoch klimmt, der fällt hart. He that climbs high, falls heavily.

Wer im Alter will jung seyn, der muß in der Jugend alt seyn. Who would be young in age, must in youth be sage.

Wer im dreißigsten Jahre nichts weiß, im vierzigsten nichts ist, im fünfzigsten nichts hat; der lernt nichts, wird nichts, und kömmt zu nichts. Who knows nothing in his thirtieth year, is nothing in his fortieth, has nothing in his fiftieth; learns nothing, is nothing, and comes to nothing.

Wer im Frühjahr nicht säet, wird im Spätjahr nicht erndten. They must hunger in frost who spring-time have lost.

Wer im Grabe liegt, dem ist wohl gebettet. He who lies in the grave, is well lodged.

Wer im Kleinen spart, kann im Großen freigebig sein. He who saves in little things, can be liberal in great ones.

Wer im Singen zu hoch anfängt, kommt nicht aus. He who pitches too high, won’t get through his song.

Wer in den Röhren sitzt, der schneidet sich Pfeiffen wie er will. He that sits among reeds, cuts pipes when he pleases.

Wer in’s Feuer bläst, dem fliegen die Funken in die Augen. He who blows in the fire will get sparks in his eyes.

Wer in einen sauern Apfel gebissen hat, dem schmeckt der süße desto besser. Who has tasted a sour apple, will have the more relish for a sweet one.

Wer in Frieden will walten, muß leiden und still halten. He who would prosper in peace, must suffer in silence.

Wer Jedermann den Mund stopfen wollte, bedürfte viel Mehl. He that would stop everybody’s mouth needs plenty of flour.

Wer kauft, was er nicht braucht, wird bald verkaufen, was er braucht. He who buys what he don’t want, will soon sell what he does want.

Wer keinen Kopf hat, braucht keinen Hut. He that has no head, needs no hat.

Wer kleine Sünden meidet, fällt nicht in große. Who avoids small sins, does not fall into great ones.

Wer kleinen Herren dienet, der ist selbst Herr mit. He who serves small masters, is himself one of them.

Wer lange wählet und mäkelt, kauft endlich gar nichts, oder schlechte Waare. Long choosing and cheapening ends in buying nothing, or bad wares.

Wer langsam reitet, soll früher satteln. Who rides slow, must saddle betimes.

Wer leicht glaubt, wird leicht betrogen. Who are ready to believe, are easy to deceive.

Wer Lieb’ erzwingt, wo keine ist, der bleibt ein Thor zu aller Frist. He who forces love where none is found, remains a fool the whole year round.

Wer meint, daß er weise sei, dem wohnt ein Esel nahe bei. He who conceits himself wise, has an ass near at hand.

Wer mich einmal betrügt, dem verzeihe es Gott; betrügt er mich wieder, verzeihe mir’s Gott. Who deceives me once, shame on him; if he deceives me twice, shame on me.

Wer mit den Wölfen ist, muß mit den Wölfen heulen. Who herds with wolves, must howl with wolves.

Wer mit der Hoffnung fährt, hat die Armuth zum Kutscher. He who travels with hope, has poverty for his coachman.

Wer mit Füchsen zu thun hat, muß den Hühnerstall zuhalten. He who has to do with foxes must look after his hen-roost.

Wer mit Hunden zu Bette geht, steht mit Flöhen wieder auf. He who goes to bed with dogs, will wake up with fleas.

Wer mit jungen Ochsen pflügt, macht krumme Furchen. He who ploughs with young oxen, makes crooked furrows.

Wer nach jedem bellenden Hunden werfen will, muß viel Steine auflesen. He that pelts every barking dog, must pick up a great many stones.

Wer neidet, der leidet. He who envies, suffers.

Wer nicht Bitteres gekostet hat, weiß nicht was süß ist. He who has not tasted bitter, knows not what sweet is.

Wer nicht empfängt, braucht nicht wieder zu geben. Who accepts nothing, has nothing to return.

Wer nicht ernähren will die Katzen, muß ernähren Mäuse und Ratzen. Who will not feed the cats, must feed the mice and rats.

Wer nicht gut helfen kann, kann sehr gut hinderlich seyn. He who cannot help, may hinder.

Wer nicht hören will, muß fühlen. He that won’t listen, must feel.

Wer nicht in den Himmel will, braucht keine Predigt. He that will not be saved needs no preacher.

Wer nicht kann fechten, gewinnt nichts im Rechten. Who cannot fight, wins nought by right.

Wer nicht kann mit dem Beutel, muß mit der Haut bezahlen. He who cannot pay with his purse, must pay with his hide.

Wer nicht liebt Wein, Weib und Gesang, der bleibt ein Narr sein Lebenlang. Who loves not women, wine, and song, remains a fool his whole life long.

Wer nicht malen kann, muß Farbe reiben. He who cannot paint must grind the colours.

Wer nicht mit mir ist, der ist wider mich. He who is not for me, is against me.

Wer nicht singen kann, mag pfeifen. Who cannot sing, may whistle.

Wer nicht vorwärts kommt, bleibt zurück. He who does not go forward, stays behind.

Wer nichts an die Angel steckt, fängt nichts. He who does not bait his hook catches nothing.

Wer nichts aus sich macht, ist nichts. He who makes himself nothing, is nothing.

Wer nichts lieber übt als Tadel, hat im Herzen keinen Adel. Who lends his lips to nought but blame, has in his heart no love of fame.

Wer nichts verspricht, braucht nichts zu halten. Who makes no promises, has none to perform.

Wer oft schießt, trifft endlich. He who shoots often, hits at last.

Wer Ohren hat zu hören, der höre. He who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Wer Pech angreift, besudelt sich. He who handles pitch, besmears himself.

Wer Recht fordert, muß auch Recht pflegen. Who demands justice, must administer justice.

Wer Recht nicht will leiden, darf über Gewalt nicht klagen. Who refuses to submit to justice, must not complain of oppression.

Wer redet was er will, muß hören was er nicht will. He who says what he likes, must hear what he does not like.

Wer regieren will, der muß hören und nicht hören, sehen und nicht sehen. He who would rule, must hear and be deaf, see and be blind.

Wer reich werden will, muß seine Seele eine Zeit lang hinter die Kiste werfen. Who would be rich, must keep his soul under cover of his cash-box.

Wer sagt, daß Wucher Sünde sey, der hat kein Geld, das glaube treu. That usury is a sin some hold, but take for granted they’ve no gold.

Wer schläft allein, der bleibt lang kalt; zwei wärmen sich einander bald. He who sleeps alone keeps long cold, two soon warm each other.

Wer schlechte Botschaft bringt, kommt früh genug. He who brings bad tidings, comes soon enough.

Wer schweigt, bejaht. Silence gives consent.

Wer sein eigener Lehrmeister sein will, hat einen Narren zum Schüler. He who is his own teacher, has a fool for his pupil.

Wer seine Schulden bezahlt, verbessert seine Umstände. He who pays his debts, betters his condition.

Wer seinen Zorn bezwingt, hat einen Feind besiegt. The greatest conqueror is he who conquers himself.

Wer sich alle Büsche besieht, kommt selten zu Holze. He that peeps into every bush will hardly get into the wood.

Wer sich auf der Achsel sitzen läßt, dem sitzt man nachher auf dem Kopfe. Who lets another sit on his shoulder, will soon have him on his head.

Wer sich das Maul verbrennt hat, bläst die Suppe. He who has once burnt his mouth, always blows his soup.

Wer sich helfen lassen will, dem ist gut zu helfen. It is easy to help him, who is willing to be helped.

Wer sich heute nicht bessert, wird morgen ärger. He who does not improve to-day will grow worse to-morrow.

Wer sich mausig macht, den fressen die Katzen. He who makes a mouse of himself, will be eaten by the cats. (This is a pun; sich mausig machen means to swagger or assume undue importance.)

Wer sich selber kitzelt, lacht wenn er will. He who tickles himself, laughs when he likes.

Wer sich selber lobt, muß üble Nachbaren haben. He who praises himself must have bad neighbours.

Wer sich selbst nichts taugt, taugt keinem Andern. He who is of no use to himself, is of no use to any one else.

Wer sich zu Honig macht, den benaschen die Fliegen. He who makes himself honey, will be eaten by the flies.

Wer sich zum Esel macht, dem will jeder seinen Sack auflegen. Make yourself an ass, and every one will lay his sack on you.

Wer sich zum Schafe macht, den fressen die Wölfe. Make yourself a sheep, and the wolves will eat you.

Wer ungebeten kommt, geht ungedankt davon. Who comes unbidden departs unthanked.

Wer Unglück soll haben, der stolpert im Grase, fällt auf den Rücken und bricht seine Nase. He who is born to misfortune stumbles as he goes, and though he fall on his back will fracture his nose.

Wer verachtet, der will kaufen. He that finds fault, wants to buy.

Wer viel anfängt, endet wenig. He who begins much, finishes little.

Wer viel schwatzt, lügt viel. He who prates much, lies much.

Wer vom Altare lebt, soll auch dem Altare dienen. He who lives by the church should serve the church.

Wer von Hoffnung lebt, der stirbt am Fasten. He who lives on hope, dies of hunger.

Wer was will gelten, der komme selten. Who would wish to be valued must make himself scarce.

Wer weiter will als sein Pferd kann, der sitze ab und gehe zu Fuß. He who would go further than his horse, must alight and go on foot.

Wer wenig spricht, hat wenig zu antworten. Who says little, has little to answer for.

Wer will wissen, wer er sei, erzürne seiner zwei oder drei. If a man would know what he is, let him anger his neighbours.

Wer wohl sitzt, der rücke nicht. Who is well seated should not budge.

Wer zu Hof sein will, muß bald oben bald unten liegen. He who would succeed at court, must lie sometimes low, sometimes high.

Wer zu viel faßt, läßt viel fallen. He who grasps too much lets much fall.

Wer zuerst kommt, mahlt zuerst. Who comes first, grinds first.

Wer zuletzt lacht, lacht am besten. He who laughs last, laughs best.

Wer zur Gewalt schweigt, verliert sein Recht. Who bows to might loses his right.

Wer zwei Hasen zugleich hetzt, fängt gar keinen. Who hunts two hares together catches neither.

Wer zwischen zwei Freunden Richter ist, verliert den einen. He who is judge between two friends, loses one of them.

Wer’s Alter nicht ehrt, ist des Alter’s nicht werth. Who honours not age, is unworthy of it.

Wer’s Glück hat, führt die Braut heim. He who has the fortune brings home the bride.

Wer’s Kleine nicht acht’t, dem wird’s Große nicht gebracht. He who takes no care of little things, will not have the care of great ones.

Wer’s links anfängt, dem geht’s links. Who begins amiss, ends amiss.

Wer’s Uebel nicht straft, ladet es ins Haus. Who does not punish evil, invites it.

Wer’s Ungewisse will nach Hause führen, kann’s Gewisse vom Wagen verlieren. Who carries doubtful people to his house, will doubtless from his carriage something lose.

Werkleute findet man leichter denn Meister. Workmen are easier found than masters. (There are more hands than heads.)

Weß’ Brot ich esse, deß’ Lied ich singe. Whose bread I eat, his song I sing.

Wessen Huldin schielt, der sagt: sie liebäugele. He whose mistress squints, says she ogles.

Wider den Strom ist schwer schwimmen. ’Tis hard to swim against the stream.

Wie das Maul, also der Salat. Like lips, like lettuce.

Wie der Acker, so die Rüben; wie der Vater, so die Büben. As the field, so the crops; as the father, so the sons.

Wie der Baum, so die Birne; wie die Frau, so die Dirne. As the tree, so the fruit; as the mistress, so the maid.

Wie der Baum, so die Frucht. As the tree, so the fruit.

Wie der Herr, so der Knecht. Like master, like man.

Wie der Meister, so das Werk. As the master, so the work.

Wie die Alten singen, so zwitschern die Jüngen. As the old birds sing, the young ones twitter.

Wie die Arbeit, so der Lohn. As the labour, so the pay. (No pains, no gains.)

Wie die Frau, so die Magd. As the mistress, so the maid. (Hackney mistress, Hackney maid.)

Wie Du mir, so ich Dir. Claw me, and I’ll claw thee.

Wie ein Ding nutzet, ist es geputzet. As a thing is used, so it brightens.

Wie einer isset, so arbeitet er. As a man eats, so he works. (Quick at meat, quick at work.)

Wie gesät, so geschnitten. As you sow, you shall reap.

Wie gewonnen, so zerronnen. As won, so spent. (Lightly come, lightly go.)

Wie leicht kommt nicht ein Haar in die Butter! How easily a hair gets into the butter!

Wie man sich bettet, so schläft man. As you make your bed, so you must lie on it.

Wie mancher liest in der Bibel, und lebt doch sehr übel. How many daily read the Word, and yet from vice are not deterred. (How many daily read the Bible, and yet pursue their course of evil.)

Wie sich einer schick’ also hat er Glück. As fortune is sought, so it is found. (Good luck, with good looking after! or, As you make your bed, so you must lie on it.)

Williges Pferd soll man nicht treiben. Spur not a willing horse.

Willst Du ’nen Juden betrügen, mußt Du ein Jude seyn. He that would cheat a Jew, must be a Jew.

Willst Du lange leben gesund? Iß, wie die Katze; trink wie der Hund! Would you live long, be healthy and fat, drink like a dog and eat like a eat.

Willst du stark sein, so überwinde dich selbst. Would you be strong, conquer yourself.

Windmühlen kann man nicht mit Blasbälgen treiben. Windmills are not driven by bellows.

Wir können nicht Alle Pabst zu Rom werben. We cannot all be Pope of Rome.

Wir wollen ihn bitten, wie man dem Esel thut; wenn er die Säck’ nicht will tragen, so schlägt man ihn genug. Entreat him in jackass fashion; if he won’t carry the sack, give him a whack.

Wissen ist leichter als thun. To know is easier than to do.

Würf’ er einen Groschen auf’s Dach, fiel’ ihm ein Thaler herunter. Were he to throw a groat on the roof, it would come down a dollar.

Wo der beste Wein wächst, trinkt man den schlechtesten. Where the best wine grows, the worst is drunk.

Wo der Fuchs sein Lager hat, da raubt er nicht. The fox does not prey near his hole.

Wo der liebe Gott eine Kirche baut, da baut der Teufel eine Kapelle. Where God builds a church, the devil builds a chapel.

Wo der Teufel nicht hin mag, da schickt er ein alt’ Weib. Where the devil can’t go himself, he sends an old woman.

Wo der Zaun am niedrigsten ist, da springt der Teufel hinüber. Where the hedge is lowest, the devil leaps over.

Wo der Zaun am niedrigsten ist, steigt man über zu aller Frist. Where the hedge is lowest, men leap over.

Wo die Frau im Hause regiert, ist der Teufel Hausknecht. Where a woman rules the house, the devil is serving-man.

Wo die Löwenhaut nicht reicht, muß man den Fuchsbalg annähen. Where the lion’s skin falls short, borrow of the fox.

Wo die Wurzel nichts taugt, ist auch der Stamm nichts werth. When the root is worthless, so is the tree.

Wo ein schöner Fleck ist, da schmeißt der Teufel ein Kloster hin oder einen Edelmann. Wherever there is a pretty spot, the devil plants a monastery or a lord.

Wo es schlimm hergeht in der Welt, da ist ein Pfaffe dabei und ein Weib. Wherever there is mischief, there is sure to be a priest and a woman in it.

Wo Freunde, da Reichthum. Where friends, there riches.

Wo Geld ist, da ist der Teufel; wo keines ist, da ist er zweimal. Where there’s money, there is the devil; but where there’s none, a greater evil.

Wo Geld redet, da gilt alle Rede nicht. Where gold chinks, arguments are of no avail. (Where gold avails, argument fails.)

Wo Geld und Gut, da ist kein Muth. With houses and gold, men are rarely bold.

Wo Gewalt Herr ist, da ist Gerechtigkeit Knecht. Where might is master, justice is servant.

Wo Gewalt recht hat, da hat Recht keine Gewalt. Where might is right, right is not might.

Wo Jedermann geht, da wächst kein Gras. Where every one goes, the grass never grows.

Wo kein Eifersucht, da ist keine Liebe. Where there’s no jealousy, there’s no love.

Wo keine Scham ist, ist auch keine Ehre. Where there’s no shame, there’s no honour.

Wo Liebe mangelt, erspähet man alle Fehler. Where there’s no love, all faults are seen.

Wo man den Esel krönt, ist Stadt und Land gehöhnt. Where’er an ass is crown’d to fame, both town and country bear the shame.

Wo nichts ist, da hat der Kaiser sein Recht verloren. Where there is nothing, the Emperor loses his right.

Wo Rauch ist, muß auch Feuer sein. No smoke without fire.

Wo Scham ist, ist Tugend. Where there is shame, there is virtue.

Wo sich zweie zanken, gewinnt der Dritte. Where two fall out, the third wins.

Wo Wasser gewesen ist, da kommt Wasser wieder. Where water has been, water will come again.

Wo weder Glauben an Himmel noch Hölle, da zieht der Teufel alle Gefälle. Who neither believes heaven or hell, the devil heartily wishes him well.

Wo Wein eingeht, geht Scham aus. Where wine goes in, modesty goes out.

Wo zu viel Arbeiter sind, da richtet man wenig aus. Where there are too many workmen, there is little work. (Too many cooks spoil the broth.)

Wo’s spukt, da liebt oder diebt sich’s. Were ghosts walk, there is loving or thieving.

Wohl angefangen, ist halb gethan. Well begun, is half done.

Wohlfeil kostet viel Geld. Bargains are costly.

Wohlgethan überlebt den Tod. Well-done outlives death.

Wohlgeschmack bringt Bettelsack. A dainty stomach beggars the purse. (Much taste, much waste.)

Worte füllen den Sack nicht. Words don’t fill the sack.

Worte sind gut, aber Hühner legen Eier. Words are good, but fowls lay eggs.

Worte sind gut, wenn Werke folgen. Words are good, when works follow.

Worte thun oft mehr als Schläge. Words often do more than blows.

Worte vom Schnee der vor’m Jahre fiel. Words of snow, which fell last year.

Z

Zage haben kein Glück. Cowards have no luck.

Zahltag kommt alle Tag. Pay-day comes every day.

Zanken und Disputiren thut die Wahrheit verlieren. Between wrangling and disputing truth is lost.

Zartem Ohre halbes Wort. To a quick ear half a word.

Zaum und Sattel mit dem Pferde zu Schinder führen. Take a horse to the knacker, and throw in bridle and saddle.

Zehren und Gasten, leert Küche, Keller und Kasten. Spending your money with many a guest, empties the kitchen, the cellar and chest.

Zeig mir ’nen Lügner, ich zeig dir ’nen Dieb. Show me a liar, and I’ll show you a thief.

Zeit bringt alles, wer warten kann. Time brings everything, to those who can wait for it.

Zeit bringt Rosen. Time brings roses.

Zeit, Ebbe und Fluth, warten auf Niemand. Time and tide wait for no man.

Zeit gebiert Wahrheit. Time is the herald of truth.

Zeit ist der beste Rathgeber. Time is the best counsellor.

Zeit ist des Zornes Arznei. Time is anger’s medicine.

Zeit macht Heu. Time makes hay.

Zeit und Gelegenheit hat Niemand im Aermel. Time and opportunity are in no man’s sleeve.

Zeit und Stunde rennt durch den rauhsten Tag. Time and the hour run through the roughest day.

Zeit verdeckt und entdeckt alles. Time covers and discovers everything.

Zeit verräth und hängt den Dieb. Time betrays and hangs the thief.

Zeit, Wind, Frauen und Glück, verändern sich all’ Augenblick. Time, wind, women, and fortune, are ever changing.

Zielen ist nicht genug, es gilt Treffen. It is not enough to aim, you must hit.

Zins und Miethe schlafen nicht. Rent and taxes never sleep.

Zorn ohne Macht wird verlacht. Anger without power is folly. (Anger can’t stand, without a strong hand.)

Zorn thut nicht mit Rath. Anger hears no counsel.

Zornes Ausgang, der Reue Anfang. The end of wrath is the beginning of repentance.

Zu geschehenem Ding soll man das Beste reden. When a thing is done, make the best of it. (Make the best of a bad bargain.)

Zu Gottes Hülfe gehört Arbeit. God helps them that help themselves.

Zu Hof giebt man viel Händ’, aber wenig Herzen. At court there are many hands, but few hearts.

Zu Nacht sind alle Katzen grau. At night all cats are grey.

Zu Sanct-Nimmerstag. When two Sundays come together.

Zu spät ist es, am Ende zu sparen. ’Tis too late to spare when the pocket is bare.

Zum Fasse sehen, wenn der Wein im Keller fließt. When the wine runs to waste in the cellar, he mends the cask.

Zum Lernen ist Niemand zu alt. No one is too old to learn.

Zum Reiten gehört mehr denn ein Paar Stiefeln. More belongs to riding than a pair of boots.

Zusagen macht Schuld. Promises make debts.

Zu vie Demuth ist Hochmuth. Too much humility is pride.

Zu viel muß bald brechen. Too much will soon break.

Zu viel Weisheit ist Narrheit. Too much wisdom is folly.

Zwei Augen, zwei Ohren, nur ein Mund. Two eyes, two ears, only one mouth.

Zwei harte Steine mahlen nicht reine. Two hard flints never grind well.

Zwei Hunde an einem Bein, kommen selten überein. Two dogs over one bone seldom agree.

Zwei Katzen und Eine Maus, zwei Weiber in Einem Haus, zwei Hund’ an einem Bein, kommen selten überein. Two cats and one mouse, two women in one house, two dogs to one bone, will not agree long.

”Zwinge mich, so thu’ ich kein Sünde,” sprach das Mädchen. “Force me, and I shall commit no sin,” said the girl.

Zwischen Amboß und Hammer. Between the hammer and the anvil.

Zwischen eines Weibes “Ja” und “Nein” läßt sich keine Nadelspitze stecken. Between a woman’s “Yes” and “No” there is no room for the point of a needle.

Zwischen Nachbars Garten ist ein Zaun gut. Between neighbours’ gardens a hedge is not amiss.

SPANISH PROVERBS

A

Abad avariento por un bodigo pierde ciento. A coveteous abbot for one offering loses a hundred.

Abad de Carçuela, comistes la olla, pedis la caçuela. Abbot of Carçuela, you eat up the pot and ask for the pipkin.

Abajanse los adarves y alzanse los muladares. Walls sink and dunghills rise.

A barba de necio aprenden todos á rapar. On a fool’s beard all learn to shave.

Abiendo escalera por do bajar, buscais soga para os colgar. With a staircase before you, you look for a rope to go down by.

Abrenuncio Satanas, mala capa llevarás. Renounce the devil, and thou shalt wear a shabby cloak.

A buen compañon buena compañia. For a good companion good company.

A buey haron poco le presta el aguijon. A lazy ox is little the letter for the goad.

A buey viejo no le cates abrigo. No need to seek shelter for an old ox.

A cabo de cien años todos seremos calvos. A hundred years hence we shall all be bald.

A cada malo su dia malo. To every evil doer his evil day.

A cada necio agrada su porrada. Every fool is pleased with his bauble.

A calças cortas abugeta largas. Short hose must have long points.

A carne de lobo, diente de perro. To wolf’s flesh dog’s tooth.

A casa de tu hermano no irás cada serano. Go not every evening to your brother’s house.

A casa de tu tia, mas no cada dia. Go to your aunt’s house, but not every day.

A cavallo comedor cabedro corto. A short halter for a greedy horse.

A cavallo dado no le miren el diente. Look not a gift horse in the mouth.

A celada de bellacos, mejor es el hombre por los pies que por los manos. At an ambuscade of villains a man does better with his feet than his hands.

Achaques al viernes por no le ayunar. Friday pretexts for not fasting (meaning pleas of indisposition for not eating fish).

A chico pajarillo, chico nidillo. Little bird, little nest.

A clérigo hecho de fraile, no le fies tu comadre. Trust not your gossip to a priest who has been a friar.

A cuentas viejas, barajas nuevas. Old reckonings make new disputes.

Acuestate sin cena, y amanecerás sin deuda. Go to bed supperless and you will wake without debt.

A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando. Praying to God and hitting with the hammer.

A Dios te doy, libreta, bevida, y por hilar. God take you, pound (of flax), drunk out and not yet spun.

A dos pardales en una espiga nunca hay liga. Two sparrows on one ear of corn never agree.

Adó pensas que hay tocinos, no hay estacas. Where you think there is bacon, there are not even hooks for it.

Adó sacan y non pon, presto llegan al hondon. Always taking out and never putting in, soon reaches the bottom.

Adonde vas, mal? Adonde mas hay. Whither goest thou, misfortune? To where there is more.

Adonde yrá el buey, que no are? Whither shall the ox go where he will not have to plough?

Adó vas, duelo? Adó suelo. Whither goest thou, sorrow? Whither I am used to go.

A fuer de Aragon, buen servicio, mal galardon. According to the custom of Aragon, good service, bad guerdon.

Agora que tengo oveja y borrego, todos me dizen: En hora buena estais, Pedro. Now that I have an ewe and a lamb, every one says to me: Good morrow, Peter.

A gran salto, gran quebranto. A great leap gives a great shake.

Agua passada no muele molino. Water past will not turn the mill.

A hija casada salen nos yernos. When our daughter is married sons-in-law are plenty.

Ahorrar para la vejez, ganar un maravedi y bever tres. To save for old age, earning a maravedi and drinking three.

A idos de mi casa, y que quereis con mi muger? no hay que responder. There is no answer for Get out of my house, and What have you to do with my wife?

Alábate, cesto, que venderte quiero. Praise yourself, basket, for I want to sell you.

A la boda de Don Garcia lleva pan en la capilla. Carry bread in your hood to Don Garcia’s wedding.

A la burla, dejarla quando mas agrada. Leave the jest at its best.

A la cabeça, la comida la endereça. Eating sets the head to rights.

Al agradecido, mas de lo pedido. To the grateful man give more than he asks.

A la longa el galgo á la liebre mata. In the long run the greyhound kills the hare.

A la luna el lobo al asno espulga. The wolf picks the ass’s fleas by moonlight.

A la muger y á la picaza, lo que dirias en la plaza. To a woman and a magpie tell your secrets in the marketplace.

A la primera azadonada quiere sacar agua. He expects to find water at the first stroke of the spade.

A las barbas con dineros honra hacen los caballeros. To beards with money cavaliers pay respect.

A las burlas así ve á ellas que no se salgan de veras. Jest so that it may not turn to earnest.

Al asno muerto, la cebada al rabo. The ass dead, the barley at his tail.

A las malas lenguas, tixera. For evil tongues, scissors.

A las veces do cazar pensamos, cazados quedamos. When we think to catch we are sometimes caught.

A las veces lleva el hombre á su casa con que llore. A man may hap to bring home with him what makes him weep.

A la vulpeja dormida, no le cae nada en la boca. Nothing falls into the mouth of a sleeping fox.

Al buen pagador, no le duelen prendas. A good paymaster needs no security.

Alcança, quien no cansa. He who does not tire, achieves.

Al desdichado poco le vale ser esforzado. It little avails the unfortunate to be brave.

Alegrias, antruejo, que mañana serás ceniza. Be merry, Shrovetide, for to-morrow thou wilt be ashes.

Al enemigo, si vuelve la espalda, la puente de plata. Make a bridge of silver for the flying enemy.

Al enhornar se tuerce el pan. It is in putting it into the oven that the loaf is made crooked.

Al envidioso afilásele el gesto y crécele el ojo. The envious man’s face grows sharp and his eyes big.

Al fin se canta la Gloria. At the end the Gloria is chanted.

Al gato por ser ladron, no le eches de tu mansion. Don’t send away your cat for being a thief.

Algo va de Pedro á Pedro. There is some distance between Peter and Peter.

Algun dia mande tanto Pedro como su amo. Some day Peter will command as much as his master.

Al gusto dañado lo dulce le es amargo. To a depraved taste sweet is bitter.

Al hacer temblar, y al comer sudar. To shiver at work, and sweat at meals.

Al hijo de tu vezina quítale el mico, y cásale con tu hija. Wipe the nose of your neighbour’s son, and marry him to your daughter.

Al hombre bueno, no le busques abolengo. Ask not after a good man’s pedigree.

Al hombre osado, la fortuna le da la mano. To the bold man fortune gives her hand.

Al hombre venturero, la hija le nace primero. The lucky man has a daughter for his first-born.

Allá va la lengua, do duele la muela. The tongue goes where the tooth aches.

Allá van leyes, do quieren reyes. Laws go the way kings direct.

Al lavar saldrá la mancilla. The spot will come out in the washing.

Allá vayas, mal, adó te pongan buen cabeçal. Away with thee, sickness, to where they make a good pillow for thee.

Allegador de la ceniza y deramador de la harina. He gathers up ashes and scatters flour.

Allégate á los buenos, y serás uno dellos. Associate with the good, and you will be one of them.

Al llamado de quien le piensa viene el buey á la melena. The ox comes to the yoke at the call of his feeder.

Al loco y al toro, darles corro. Make way for a madman and a bull.

Al mas ruin puerco la mejor bellota. The worst pig gets the best acorn.

Al médico, confesor, y letrado, no le hayas engañado. Deceive not thy physician, confessor, or lawyer.

Al mozo mal mandado, ponle la mesa, y embiale al recado. If you have a loitering servant, set his dinner before him and send him on an errand.

A lo que puedes solo, no esperes á otro. Expect not at another’s hand what you can do by your own.

A los bobos se les aperece la Madre de Dios. The Mother of God appears to fools.

A los osados, ayuda la fortuna. Fortune aids the bold.

Al perro flaco, todo es pulgas. The lean dog is all fleas.

Al puerco gordo, untarle el rabo. To grease the fat pig’s tail.

Al que cueze y amasa no le hurtar hogaça. Do not steal a loaf from him that kneads and bakes.

Al que dá el capon, dale la pierna y el alon. To him who gives you a capon you may spare a leg and a wing.

Al que mal hace, nunca le falta achaque. The wrong doer is never without a pretext.

Al que tiene muger hermosa, ó castillo en frontera, ó viña en carrera, nunca le falta guerra. He who has a handsome wife, a castle on the frontier, or a vineyard on the roadside, is never without war.

Al que yerra, perdónale una vez, mas no despues. Him who errs, forgive once, but never twice.

Alquimia provada, tener renta y no gastar nada. It is approved alchemy to have an income and spend nothing.

Al raton que no tiene mas que un agujero, presto le cogen. The rat that has but one hole is soon caught.

Al toro y al aire, darles calle. Don’t stop the way of a bull or of a current of air.

Al villano dadle el pie, y tomarse ha la mano. Give a clown your foot, and he’ll take your hand.

Al yerno y al cochino, una vez el camino. To a son-in-law and a hog you need show the way but once.

Ama á quien no te ama, responde á quien no te llama, correrás carrera vana. Love one that does not love you, answer one that does not call you, and you will run a fruitless race.

A maa veziña da agulla sin liña. The bad neighbour gives a needle without thread. (Galician.)

A madrina, que eso yo me lo sabia. Hush, brideswoman, I knew all that before.

A mal ñudo mal cuño. To a hard knot a hard wedge.

A maravedi de pleyto, real de papel. A lawsuit for a maravedi consumes a real’s worth of paper.

A Mari Ardida nunca le falta mal dia, á Mari Monton Dios se lo da, y Dios se le pon. Mary Busybody never wants a bad day, and Hilary Drone has God to give and bring to her.

Amar y saber, no puede ser. To love and be wise is impossible.

Ama, soys ama mientras el niño mama, y despues no nada. Nurse, you are mistress whilst the child sucks, and after that nothing.

A mengua de carne, buenos son pollos con tocino. When you can’t get meat, chickens and bacon are good.

A mengua de pan, buenas son tortas. When you can’t get bread, oat-cakes are not amiss.

Amigo del buen tiempo mudará con el viento. A fair-weather friend changes with the wind.

Amigo de pleitos, poco dinero; amigo de médicos, poca salud; amigo de frailes, poca honra. Fond of lawsuits, little wealth; fond of doctors, little health; fond of friars, little honour.

Amigo do todos y de ninguno todo es uno. Everybody’s friend and nobody’s friend is all one.

Amigo quebrado, soldado, mas nunca sano. Friendship broken may be soldered, but never made whole.

Amigo reconciliado, enemigo doblado. A reconciled friend is a double enemy.

Amigos y mulas fallescen á as duras. Friends and mules fail in hard trials. (Galician.)

Amistad de yerno, sol de invierno. A son-in-law’s friendship is a winter’s sun.

Amor de niño, agua en cesto. A boy’s love is water in a sieve.

Amor de padre, que todo lo otro es aire. A father’s love, for all other is air.

Amores nuevos olvidan viejos. New loves drive out the old.

Amores, dolores y dineros no pueden estar secretos. Love, grief, and money cannot be kept secret.

Amor fa molt, argent fa tot. Love does much, money does all. (Catalan.)

Amor loco, yo por vos, y vos por otro. Mad love – I for you, and you for another.

A moro muerto gran lanzada. A great lance-thrust to a dead Moor.

A mucho hablar, mucho errar. Much talking, much erring.

A muertos y á idos no hay mas amigos. The dead and the absent have no friends.

A muger mala poco le aprovecha guarda. There is little use in watching a bad woman.

A mula vieja cabezadas nuevas. New trappings to an old mule.

Andando gana la hazeña, que no estándose queda. The mill gains by going, and not by standing still.

Andando y hablando, marido, á la horca. Talk as you go, husband, to the gallows.

Andar á caza con huron muerto. To go rabbit catching with a dead ferret.

Andeme yo caliente, y riase la gente. Let me go warm, and folks may laugh.

Animo vence en guerra, que no arma buena. It is courage that vanquishes in war, and not good weapons.

Ante la puerta del rezador, nunca eches tu trigo al sol. Never spread your corn to dry before the door of a saintly man.

Antes de casar, ten casas en que morar, y tierras en que labrar, y viñas en que podar. Before you marry, have a house to live in, fields to till, and vines to cut.

Antes de la hora gran denuedo; venidos al punto, venidos al miedo. Before the time great courage; when at the point, great fear.

Antes de mil años todos seremos calvos. In less than a thousand years we shall all be bald.

Antes di que digan. Say before they say. (Tell your own story first.)

Antes moral que almendro. Rather mulberry than almond. (The almond-tree is in blossom earlier than the mulberry.)

Antes que cases, mira que haces, que no es ñudo que deshaces. Before you marry, beware, for it is a knot difficult to untie.

Antes toman al mentiroso que al cojo. The liar is sooner caught than the cripple.

A olla que hierve, ninguna mosca se atreve. No flies light on a boiling pot.

A otro perro con ese hueso. Throw that bone to another dog.

A padre guardador, hijo gastador. After a thrifty father, a prodigal son.

A palabras locas orejas sordas. To mad words deaf ears.

A pan duro diente agudo. A sharp tooth for hard bread.

A pobreza no hay vergüenza. Poverty is no sin.

A poca barba, poca vergüenza. Little beard, little modesty.

Aprendiz de Portugal, no sabe cozer y quiere cortar. A Portuguese apprentice who can’t sew, yet would be cutting out.

A presurosa demanda espaciosa respuesta. To a hasty demand a leisure reply.

A puerta cerrada, el diablo se vuelve. When the devil finds the door shut, he goes away.

A puerta de cazador nunca gran muladar. There is never a great dunghill at a sportsman’s door.

A puñadas entran las buenas hadas. Good luck makes its way in by elbowing.

Aquel es tu amigo que te quita de ruido. He is your friend who gets you out of a fray.

Aquella ave es mala, que en su nido caga. It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest.

Aquella es bien casada, que no tiene suegra ni cuñada. She is well married who has neither mother-in-law nor sister-in-law.

Aquellos son ricos que tienen amigos. They are rich who have friends.

Aquel pierde venta que no tiene que venda. He loses his market who has nothing to sell.

A quien dan, no escoge. Beggars must not be choosers.

A quien dices tu puridad, á ese das tu libertad. You surrender your freedom where you deposit your secret.

A quien Dios quiere bien, la perra le pare lechones. Whom God loves, his bitch litters pigs.

A quien hace casa, ó se casa, la bolsa le quede rasa. He who builds a house, or marries, is left with a lank purse.

A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda. God helps the early riser.

A quien miedo le han, lo suyo le dan. He who is feared gets more than his own.

A quien no le basta espada y corazon, no le bastarán corazas y lanzon. For whom sword and courage are not enough, corslet and lance will not be enough.

A quien no le sobra pan, no crie can. Who has no bread to spare should not keep a dog.

A quien no mata puerco, no le dan morcilla. They who don’t kill pigs must not expect black-puddings.

A quien no tiene nada, nada le espanta. Who has nothing, fears nothing.

A quien tiene buena muger, ningun mal le puede venir, que no sea de sufrir. He who has a good wife can bear any evil.

A quien tiene mala muger, ningun bien le puede venir, que bien se puede decir. He who has a bad wife can expect no happiness that can be so called.

A quien vela, todo se le revela. To him that watches, everything is revealed.

Ara bien y hondo, cogerás pan en abondo. Plough deep and you will have plenty of corn.

Ara por enjuto ó por mojado, no besarás á tu vecino en el rabo. Plough wet or dry, and you will not have to kiss your neighbour’s breech.

Arco siempre armado, ó flojo ó quebrado. The bow that is always bent slackens or breaks.

Arde verde por seco, y pagan justos por pecadores. The green burns for the dry, and the righteous pay for sinners.

Ares, no ares, renta me pagues. Plough or not plough, you must pay your rent.

A rio revuelto, ganancia de pescadores. It is good fishing in troubled waters.

Armas y dineros buenas manos quieren. Arms and money require good hands.

Arremángose mi nuera, y trastornó en el fuego la caldera. My daughter-in-law tucked up her sleeves, and upset the kettle into the fire.

Arrieros somos, y en el camino nos encontraremos. We are both carriers, and shall meet on the road.

A salvo está el que repica. He is in safety who rings the tocsin.

Así acontescen cosas récias, como ir á la plaza y venir sin orejas. Such awkward things will happen as going into the great square and coming back without ears.

Así dijó la zorra á las uvas, no pudiendolas alcazar, que no estarvan maduras. The grapes are sour, said the fox when he could not reach them.

Así está el pages entre dos advocats como el pagel entre dos gats. A peasant between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats. (Catalan.)

Así me decis que en el monte hay lobos, y en el valle raposos. So you tell me there are wolves on the mountain, and foxes in the valley.

Asna con pollino no va derecha al molino. An ass with her colt goes not straight to the mill.

Asno con oro alcánzalo todo. The golden ass passes everywhere.

Asno de muchos, lobos le comen. The ass of many owners is food for wolves.

Asno sea quien á asno vocea. An ass let him be who brays at an ass.

Assaz puede poco, quien no amenaza á otro. He can do but little who cannot threaten another.

A su amigo el gato siempre le deja señalado. The cat always leaves her mark upon her friend.

A tí lo digo, hijuela; entiéndelo tú, mi nuera. I say it to you, daughter; hear it, daughter-in-law.

A todo hay maña, sino á la muerte. There is a remedy for everything but death.

A tu amigo dile la mentira; si te guardare poridad, dile la verdad. Tell your friend a lie; and if he keeps it secret, tell him the truth.

A tu amigo gánale un juego, y bévele luego. Win a game of your friend, and drink the money on the spot.

A tu criado no le hartes de pan, no pedirá queso. Do not stuff your servant with bread, and he won’t ask for cheese.

A tuerto ó á derecho, ayude Dios á nuestro concejo. Right or wrong, God aid our purpose.

A tuerto ó á derecho, nuestra casa hasta al techo. Right or wrong, ’tis our house up to the roof.

A tu hijo, buen nombre y oficio. To your son give a good name and a trade.

Aun no asamos, é ya empringamos. We are not yet roasting, and already we make sops in the pan.

Aun no ensillamos, é ya cavalgamos. We have not yet saddled, and are already mounted.

Aunque el decidor sea loco, el escuchador sea cuerdo. Though the speaker be a fool, let the hearer be wise.

Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona so queda. A monkey remains a monkey, though dressed in silk.

Aunque manso tu sabueso, no le muerdas en el bezo. Though your bloodhound be gentle, don’t bite him on the lip.

Aunque me veis con este capote, otro tengo en el monte. Though you see me with this coat, I have another up the mountain.

Aunque mi suegro sea bueno, no quiero perro con concerro. Though my father-in-law is a good man, I do not like a dog with a bell.

Aunque seas prudente viejo, no desdeñes el consejo. Though you are a prudent old man, do not despise counsel.

A un traidor dos alevosos. Two false men to one traitor.

Ausencia enemiga de amor; quan lejos de ojo, tan lejos de corazon. Absence is a foe to love; away from the eyes, away from the heart.

A vaca que no come con os bois, ó come ante, ó come despois. The cow that does not eat with the oxen, either eats before or after them. (Galician.)

Ave con cuchar nunca entre en tu corral. Let no shovel-beaked bird ever enter your yard.

Ave muda no hace agüero. A mute bird makes no omen.

A volpe va por o millo e non come, mas dalle con o rabo e sacode. The fox goes through the corn and does not eat, but brushes it down with his tail. (Galician.)

Aya cebo en el palomar, que palomas ellas se vernán. Let there be food in the pigeon-house, and the pigeons will come to it.

Ayer vaquero, hoy caballero. Yesterday a cowherd, to-day a cavalier.

Ay te duele, ay te daré. Where you smart there I will hit you.

Ay ten a gallena os ollos do ten os ovos. The hen’s eyes are where her eggs are. (Galician.)

Ayudándose tres, para peso de seis. Three who help each other are as good as six.

Azotan á la gata, si no hila nuestra ama. They whip the cat, if our mistress does not spin.

Azotenme en la plaza, que no lo sepan en mi casa. Let them whip me in the market-place, provided it be not known at home.

B

Barba bien remojada, medio rapada. A beard well lathered is half shaved.

Barriga caliente, pie dormiente. The paunch warm, the foot sleepy.

Barro y cal encubran mucho mal. Clay and lime conceal much evil.

Bel hombre no es todo pobre. A handsome man is not quite poor.

Bendita aquella casa que no tiene corona rapada. Happy the home in which there is no shaven crown.

Bien ama quien nunca olvida. He loves well who never forgets.

Bien cuenta la madre, mejor cuenta el infante. The mother reckons well, but the child reckons better.

Bien merca á quien no dicen hombre bestia. He buys well who is not called a donkey.

Bien ó mal, casado me han. For letter for worse they have married me.

Bien perdido y conocido. A good thing lost is a good thing valued.

Bien predica quien bien vive. He preaches well who lives well.

Bien sabe el asno en cuya cara rebuzna. The ass knows well in whose face he brays.

Bien sabe el huego cuya capa quema. The fire well knows whose cloak burns.

Bien sabe el sabio que no sabe, el nescio piensa que sabe. The wise knows that he does not know; the ignoramus thinks he knows.

Bien sabe la vulpeja con quien trebeja. The fox knows well with whom he plays tricks.

Bien sé lo que digo quando pan pido. I know well what I say when I ask for bread.

Bien vengas, mal, si vienes solo. Welcome, misfortune, if you come alone.

Bocado comido no gana amigo. A morsel eaten selfishly does not gain a friend.

Boca que dice de sí, dice de no. The mouth that says yes says no.

Bofeton amagado, nunca bien dado. A buffeting threatened is never well given.

Buen abogado, mal vecino. A good lawyer, a bad neighbour.

Buena es la gallina que otro cria. Good is the fowl which another rears.

Buena fama hurto encubre. A good name covers theft.

Buen amigo es el gato, sino que rascuña. The cat is friendly, but scratches.

Buenas palabras y ruines hechos engañan sabios y locos. Good words and bad deeds deceive both wise and simple.

Buena vida arrugas tira. A good life defers wrinkles.

Buen corazon quebranta mala ventura. A good heart breaks bad fortune.

Buen jubon me tengo en Francia. I have a good jacket in France.

Bueno, bueno, bueno, mas guarde Dios mi burra de su centeno. Good, good, good, but God keep my ass out of his rye.

Buen principio, la mitad es hecho. Well begun is half done.

Buen siglo haya quien dijó bolta. Blessings on him that said, Face about.

Buey viejo, sulco derecho. An old ox makes a straight furrow.

Burla burlando vase el lobo al asno. All in the way of joke the wolf goes to the ass.

Burlaos con el asno, daros ha en la cara con el rabo. Play with an ass and he will flirt his tail in your face.

Burlaos con el loco en casa, burlará con vos en la plaza. Play with the fool at home, and he will play with you abroad.

Burlas de manos, burlas de villanos. Manual jokes are clowns’ jokes.

Buscais pan de trastrigo. You want better bread than wheaten.

Buscar cinque pies al gato. To look for five feet in a cat.

C

Cabra coja no quiere siesta. A lame goat will not sleep by day.

Cacarrear, y no poner huevo. To cackle and lay no egg.

Cada buhonero alaba sus agujas. Every pedlar praises his own needles.

Cada cabello hace su sombra. Every hair casts its shadow.

Cada carnero de su pie cuelga. Let every sheep hang by its own foot. (Every man should support himself, and not hang upon another.)

Cada cosa en su tiempo, y nabos en Adviento. Everything in its season, and turnips in Advent.

Cada cuba huele al vino que tiene. Every cask smells of the wine it contains.

Cada gallo canta en su muladar. Every cock crows on his own dunghill.

Cada ollero su olla alaba, y mas si la trae quebrada. Every potter praises his pot, especially if cracked.

Cada qual siente el frio como anda vestido. Every one feels the cold according as he is clad.

Cada uno cuenta de la feria como le va en ella. Every one speaks of the fair as he himself finds it.

Cada uno en su casa, y Dios en la de todos. Every one in his own house, and God in all men’s.

Cada uno es hijo de sus obras. Every man is the son of his own works.

Cada uno estiende la pierna como tiene la cubierta. Every one stretches his legs according to the length of his coverlet. (Cut your coat according to your cloth.)

Cada uno estornuda como Dios le ayuda. Every one sneezes as God pleases.

Cada uno por sí, y Dios por todos. Every one for himself, and God for us all.

Cada uno quiere llevar el agua á su molino, y dejar en seco el del vecino. Every one wishes to bring water to his own mill, and leave his neighbour’s dry.

Cada uno sabe donde le aprieta el zapato. Every one knows where his shoe pinches him.

Cae en la cueva el que otro á ella lleva. He falls into the pit who leads another into it.

Caldo de tripas, bien te repicas. Tripe broth, you make much of yourself.

Caldo de zorra que está frio y quema. Fox’s broth, cold and scalding.

Callar y ojos, tomaremos la madre y los pollos. Silence and look out, we shall catch both hen and chicks.

Campana cascada, nunca sana. A cracked bell will never be sound.

Can que madre tiene en villa, nunca buena ladrilla. The dog that has its bitch in town never barks well.

Cantarillo que muchas veces va á la fuente, ó deja el asa ó la frente. The pitcher that goes often to the well leaves either its handle or its spout.

Cantar mal y porfiar. To sing out of tune and persist in it.

Capon de ocho meses para mesa de rey. A capon eight months old is fit for a king’s table.

Cara de beato, y uñas de gato. A devotee’s face, and a cat’s claws.

Caro cuesta el arrepentir. Repentance costs dear.

Casa el hijo quando quisieres, y la hija quando pudieres. Marry your son when you will, and your daughter when you can.

Casa hospidada, comida y denostada. A house filled with guests is eaten up and ill spoken of.

Casa labrada y viña plantada. A house ready built and a vineyard ready planted.

Casarás y amansarás. Marry and grow tame.

Casarme quiero, comeré cabeza de olla, y sentarme he primero. I’ll marry, and eat the prime of the pot, and sit down first.

Castiga al que no es bueno, y aborrecerte ha luego. Chastise one that is worthless, and he will presently hate you.

Castillo apercebido no es decebido. A fortress on its guard is not surprised.

Cayósele el pan en la miel. His bread fell into the honey.

Cien sastres, cien molineros, y cien texederos son trecientos ladrones. A hundred tailors, a hundred millers, and a hundred weavers, are three hundred thieves.

Cierra tu puerta, y harás tu vecina buena. Shut your door, and you will make your neighbour a good woman.

Cobra buena fama, y échate á dormir. Get a good name, and go to sleep.

Cobre gana cobre, que no huesos de hombre. Copper begets copper, and not (the labour of) men’s bones. (So money gets money.)

Coces de yegua, amores para el rocin. The mare’s kicks are caresses to the horse.

Combida á tu yerno á la gallina, que él llevará la lima. Invite your son-in-law to a fowl, and he will take away the lemon.

Comer y rascar, todo es empezar. To eat and to scratch one has but to begin.

Como canta el abad, responde el sacristan. As the abbot sings the sacristan responds.

Como costal de carbonero, malo de fuera, peor de dentro. Like a collier’s sack, bad without and worse within.

Compuesta no hay muger fea. No woman is ugly when she is dressed.

Con agena mano sacar la culebra del horado. To draw the snake out of the hole with another’s hand.

Con agua pasada no muele molino. The mill does not grind with water that has passed.

Con dineros no te conocerás, sin dineros no te conocerán. With money you would not know yourself, without money nobody would know you.

Con el Rey y con la Inquisicion, chitos! About the King and the Inquisition, hush!

Con hijo de gato no se burlan los ratones. Rats do not play tricks with kittens.

Con lo que Sancho cura, Marta cae mala. What cures Sancho makes Martha sick.

Con mal está la casa donde la rueca manda al espada. It fares ill with the house where the spinning-wheel commands the sword.

Con todo el mondo guerra, y paz con Inglaterra. War with all the world, and peace with England.

Con una cautela otra se quiebra. One trick is met by another.

Con un poco de tuerto llega el hombre á su derecho. With a little wrong a man comes by his right.

Coraçon determinado no sufre ser aconsejado. A determined heart will not be counselled.

Cornudo sois, marido: muger, y quien te lo dijo? Husband, you are a cuckold: wife, who told you so?

Cortesía de boca mucho vale y poco cuesta. Lip courtesy avails much and costs little.

Cosa mala nunca muere. A bad thing never dies.

Cosa que no se venda, nadie la siembra. Nobody sows a thing that will not sell.

Costumbre buena, costumbre mala, el villano quiere que vala. Be a custom good or bad, a peasant will have it continue in force.

Costumbre hace ley. Custom becomes law.

Crea el cuervo, y sacarte ha los ojos. Foster a raven and it will peck out your eyes.

Criatura de un año saca la leche del calcano. A child of a year old sucks milk from the heel.

Cuidado ageno de pelo cuelga. Another’s care hangs by a hair.

Cuidados agenos matan el asno. Other folks’ cares kill the ass.

Cuñados, y perros bermejos pocos buenos. Of brothers-in-law and red dogs few are good.

D

Da Dios alas á la hormiga para que se pierda mas aina. God gives wings to the ant that she may perish the sooner.

Da Dios almendras á quien no tiene muelas. God gives almonds to one who has no teeth.

Dadiva de ruin á su dueño parece. A bad man’s gift is like his master.

Dadivas quebrantan peñas. Gifts break (or dissolve) rocks.

Dame donde me asiente, que yo me haré donde me acueste. Give me a seat, and I will make myself room to lie down.

Dar en el clavo. To hit the nail on the head.

De amigo reconciliado, guarte de él como del diablo. Beware of a reconciled friend as of the devil.

De aquellos polvos vienen estos lodos. From that dust comes this mud.

Debajo del buen sayo está el hombre malo. Under a good cloak may be a bad man.

Debajo de mi manto al rey mato. Under my cloak I kill the king.

Debajo de una mala capa hay un buen bebedor. Under a bad cloak there is a good tippler.

De casa del gato no vá harto el rato. The mouse does not leave the cat’s house with a bellyful.

De cosário á cosário no se llevan sino los barriles. Corsair against corsair nothing is got but empty casks.

De cuero ageno correas largas. Large thongs of another man’s leather.

De diestro á diestro el mas presto. Between two sharpers, the sharpest.

De dineros y bondad, siempre quita la mitad. In the report, of riches and goodness always bate one half.

Dedo de espada, palma de lanza, es gran ventaja. An inch in a sword, or a palm in a lance, is a great advantage.

De do sacan y no pon, presto llegan al hondon. Taking out and not putting in soon reaches the bottom.

De gran subida gran caida. The higher the rise the greater the fall.

De haré, haré, nunca me pagué; mas vale un toma que dos te daré. I never was satisfied with “I will, I will.” One “take this” is better than two “I will give you.”

De herrero á herrero no pasa dinero. Between Smith and Smith no money passes.

De hombre que no habla, y de can que no ladra, libera nos. From a silent man, and a dog that does not bark, deliver us.

Del agua mansa me libre Dios, que de la recia me guardaré yo. From smooth water God preserve me, from rough I will preserve myself.

Del alcalde al verdugo, ved como subo. See how he has risen from a mayor to a hangman.

De la mala muger te guarda, y de la buena no fies nada. Beware of a bad woman, and put no trust in a good one.

De la mano á la boca se pierde la sopa. Between the hand and the mouth the soup is lost.

De la nieve, ni cocida, ni majada, no sacarás sino agua. From snow, whether baked or boiled, you will get nothing but water.

Del dicho al hecho hay gran trecho. Between saying and doing there is a long road.

Del mal el menor. Of evils, the least.

Del mal que hombre teme, de ese muere. Of the malady a man fears, he dies.

De lo contado come el lobo. The wolf eats of what is counted.

De los leales se hinchen los hospitales. The poor-houses are filled with the honestest people.

De luengas vias luengas mentiras. From long journeys long lies.

Del pan de mi compadre buen zatico á mi ahijado. From my gossip’s bread a large piece for my godson.

De me digan, y á mi pidan. Let them talk of me, and beg of me.

De mozo rezador, y de viejo ayunador, guarde Dios mi capa. From a praying young man, and a fasting old man, God preserve my cloak.

De noche los gatos todos son pardos. At night all cats are grey.

De padre santo, hijo diablo. The father a saint, the son a sinner.

De pequeña centella, gran hoguera. A little spark kindles a great fire.

De persona callada arriedra tu morada. From a silent person remove your dwelling.

De piel agena larga la correa. Of other men’s leather large thongs.

De potro sarnoso buen caballo hermoso. A scabby colt may make a good horse.

De puerta cerrada el diablo se torna. The devil turns away from a closed door.

De quien pone los ojos en el suelo no fies tu dinero. Trust not your money to one whose eyes are bent on the ground.

De rabo de puerco nunca buen virote. A pig’s tail will never make a good arrow.

Derecho apurado, tuerto tornado. Right overstrained turns to wrong.

De ruin á ruin, quien acomete vence. Coward against coward, the assailant conquers.

De ruin paño nunca buen sayo. There’s no making a good cloak of bad cloth.

Desaprovechado como unto de mona. As useless as monkey’s fat.

Descalabrar al alguacil, y acogerse al corregidor. To break the constable’s head, and take refuge with the sheriff.

Desde que te erré, nunca bien te quisé. Since I wronged you, I have never liked you.

Deshacer cruzes en un pajar. To undo crosses in a straw loft (i.e. to part all the straws that they may not lie crosswise; to be over nice).

Despues de descalabrado untarle el casco. After breaking my head you bring plaister.

Despues del daño cada uno es sabio. Every one is wise when the mischief is done.

Despues de vendimias, cestos. After the vintage, baskets.

Despues que la casa está hecha, la deja. After the house is finished, he deserts it.

Despues que me estas castigando, ciento y veinte agujeros conté en aquel rallo. Since you have been scolding me, I have counted a hundred and twenty holes in that nutmeg grater.

Desque nací lloré, y cada dia nace porqué. When I was born I wept, and every day brings a reason why.

Desquitóse Miguel; perdió un ducado y ganó un conejo. Michael is quits; he lost a ducat and gained a rabbit.

De traidor harás leal con bien hablar. Give a traitor good words and you make him loyal.

Detras de la cruz está el diablo. The devil lurks behind the cross.

De tu muger y de tu amigo esperto, no creas sino lo que supieres cierto. Of your wife and your tried friend believe nothing but what you know for certain.

Deudas tienes, y haces mas; si no mentiste, mentiras. You have debts, and make debts still; if you’ve not lied, lie you will.

De un hombre necio á vezes buen consejo. A fool sometimes gives good counsel.

De un solo golpe no se derrueca un roble. An oak is not felled at one stroke.

Deve algo para Pascua, y hacérsete ha corta la cuaresma. Have a bill to pay at Easter, and your Lent will be short.

Di á tu amigo tu secreto, y tenerte ha el pie en el pescuezo. Tell your friend your secret, and he will set his foot on your neck.

Dicen los niños en el solejar lo que oyen á sus padres en el hogar. What children hear their parents say by the fireside they repeat in the highway.

Dijó la sarten á la caldera, Tirte allá, cul negra. Said the frying pan to the kettle, Stand off, black bottom.

Dile que es hermosa, y tornarse ha loca. Tell her she is handsome, and you will turn her head.

Dime con quien andas, diréte quien eres. Tell me what company you keep, and I will tell you who you are.

Di mentira, y sacarás verdad. Tell a lie, and you will bring out the truth.

Dinero llama dinero. Money gets money.

Dineros de avaro dos veces van al mercado. Misers’ money goes twice to market.

Dios es el que sana, y el médico lleva la plata. God cures, and the doctor takes the fee. (God healeth, and the physician hath the thanks.)

Dios me dé contienda con quien me entienda. God grant me to argue with those who understand me.

Dios me libre de hombre de un libro. God deliver me from a man of one book.

Dios os libre de hidalgo de dia, y de fraile de noche. God deliver us from a gentleman by day and a friar by night.

Dios proveerá, mas buen haz de paja se querrá. God will provide, but a good bundle of straw will not be amiss.

Dios te dé fortuna, hijo, que el saber poco te vale. God grant you fortune, my son, for knowledge avails you little.

Dísela tú una vez, que el diablo se la dirá diez. Tell it her once, and the devil will tell it her ten times.

Do entra beber, sale saber. When drink enters, wisdom departs.

Do falta dicha, por demas es diligencia. Where luck is wanting, diligence is useless.

Do fueres, harás como vieres. Wherever you are, do as you see done. (When you are at Rome, do as Rome does.)

Do fuerza viene, derecho se pierde. Where force prevails, right perishes.

Donde fuiste paje, no seas escudero. Be not an esquire where you were a page.

Donde hay gana, hay maña. Where there’s a will there’s a way.

Donde huego se hace, humo sale. Where there’s fire there’s smoke.

Donde irá el buey que no are? Where shall the ox go and not plough?

Donde menos se piensa salta la liebre. The hare starts from where she is least expected.

Donde os comieron la carne, que roan los huesos. Where they eat your meat let them pick the bones.

Donde perdiste la capa, ay la cata. Where you lost your cloak, seek it.

Donde una puerta se cierra, otra se abre. Where one door is shut another opens.

Dormireis sobre ello, y tomareis acuerdo. Sleep over it, and you will come to a resolution.

Dos amigos de una bolsa, el uno canta, el otro llora. When there are two friends to one purse, one sings, the other weeps.

Dos aves de rapiña no mantienen compaña. Two birds of prey do not keep each other company.

Do tu padre fué con tinta, no vayas tu con quilma. Where your father has been with ink, go not you with a bag (i. e. what your father has sold and assigned, think not to recover with a bag of papers. In other words, don’t go to law for it).

Do va mas hondo el rio, hace menos ruido. Where the river is deepest it makes least noise.

Duerme á quien duele, y no duerme quien algo deve. A sick man sleeps, but not a debtor.

E

Echar el mango tras el destral. To throw the helve after the hatchet.

Echar la pluma al aire, y ver donde cae. To throw up a feather in the air, and see where it falls.

Echar un virote tras otro. To send one arrow after another.

Echate á enfermar, verás quien te quiere bien, y quien te quiere mal. Fall sick, and you will see who is your friend and who not.

El abad de Bamba, lo que no puede comer, dalo por su alma. What the abbot of Bamba cannot eat he gives away for the good of his soul.

El agujero llama al ladron. The hole invites the thief.

El amenazador hace perder el lugar de venganza. The threatener loses the opportunity of vengeance.

El amor verdadero no sufre cosa encubierta. True love suffers no concealment.

El amor y la fe en las obras se vee. Love and faith are seen in works.

El bien suena y el mal vuela. Good news is rumoured and bad news flies.

El bobo, si es callado, por sesudo es reputado. A fool, if he holds his tongue, passes for wise.

El buen hombre goza el hurto. The honest man enjoys the theft.

El buen pagador señor es de lo ageno. A good paymaster is keeper of others’ purses.

El buen vino la venta trae consigo. Good wine sells itself.

El buey bravo en tierra agena se hace manso. The fierce ox becomes tame on strange ground.

El buey quando se cansa, firme sienta la pata. The tired ox plants his foot firmly.

El buey que me acornó, en buen lugar me echó. The ox that butted me tossed me into a good place.

El buey sin cencerro piérdese presto. The ox without a bell is soon lost.

El campo fertil no descansando, torna se esteril. The fertile field becomes sterile without rest.

El can de buena raza, si hoy no caza, mañana caza. The well-bred hound, if he does not hunt to-day will hunt to-morrow.

El caracol, por quitar de enojos, por los cuernos trocó los ojos. The snail, to be rid of annoyances, bartered its eyes for horns.

El carnero encantado que fué por lana, y volvió trasquilado. The deceived sheep that went for wool and came back shorn.

El cebo es el que engaña, que no el pescador ni la caña. It is the bait that lures, not the fisherman or the rod.

El conejo ido, el consejo venido. When the rabbit has escaped, comes advice.

El corazon no es traidor. The heart is no traitor.

El corcobado no vee su corcoba, y vee la de su compañon. The hunchback does not see his own hump, but sees his companion’s.

El cordero manso mama á su madre, y á qualquiera; el bravo ni á la suya, ni á la agena. The gentle lamb sucks any ewe as well as its mother; the surly lamb sucks neither its own nor another.

El cuerdo no ata el saber á estaca. The wise man does not hang his knowledge on a hook.

El dar es honor, y el pedir dolor. To give is honour, to lose is grief.

El dar limosna nunca mengua la bolsa. Giving alms never lessens the purse.

El deseo hace hermoso lo feo. Desire beautifies what is ugly.

El dia de ayuno vespera es de disanto. A fast day is the eve of a feast day.

El dia de calor, ese te arropa mejor. On a hot day muffle yourself the more.

El dia que no escobé entró quien, no piense. The day I did not sweep the house, there came to it one I did not expect.

El dia que no me afeyté, vino á mi casa quien no pensé. The day I did not make my toilette, there came to my house one I did not expect.

El dia que te casas, ó te matas ó te sanas. The day you marry ’tis either kill or cure.

El dinero hace lo malo bueno. Money turns bad into good.

El estiercol no es santo, mas do cae hace milagro. Dung is no saint, but where it falls it works miracles.

El golpe de la sarten, aunque no duele, tizna. A blow from a frying-pan, if it does not hurt, smuts.

El habito no hace al monge. The dress does not make the friar.

El hijo del asno dos veces rozna al dia. The son of an ass brays twice a day.

El hijo sabe que conoce á su padre. It is a wise son that knows his own father.

El hilo por lo mas delgado quiebra. The thread breaks where it is thinnest.

El hombre es el fuego, la muger la estopa; viene el diablo y sopla. Man is fire, woman is tow; the devil comes with a bellows.

El hombre necesitado cada año apedreado. The poor man has his crop destroyed by hail every year.

El hombre propone, y Dios dispone. Man proposes, and God disposes.

El huego y el amor no dicen: Vate á tu lavor. Fire and love do not say “Go to your work.”

El huesped y el pez á tres dias huele. A guest and a fish stink in three days.

El hurtar es cosa linda, si colgasen por la pretina. Stealing would be a nice thing, if thieves were hanged by the girdle.

El infierno está lleno de buenas palabras. Hell is full of good intentions.

El invierno es ido, y el verano venido, mal haya quien bien nos hizo. The winter is gone, the spring is come, a fig for those who us good have done.

El judío échase á perder con pascuas, el moro con bodas, y el cristiano con escrituras. The Jew ruins himself with passovers, the Moor with wedding feasts, and the Christian with lawsuits.

El lobo do halla un cordero, busca otro. Where the wolf gets one lamb it looks for another.

El lobo do mane daño no hace. The wolf commits no mischief at home.

El lobo hace entre semana por donde no va el Domingo á misa. The wolf does that in the course of the week which hinders him from going to mass on Sunday.

El lobo pierde los dientes, mas no los mientes. The wolf loses his teeth, but not his inclinations.

El lobo y la vulpeja ambos son de una conseja. The wolf and the fox are both in one story.

El mal de milano, las alas quebradas y el pico sano. The kite’s malady, its wings broken and its beak sound.

El mal entra á brazadas, y sale á pulgaradas. Ill luck enters by fathoms and departs by inches.

El malo siempre piensa engaño. The bad man always suspects knavery.

El mal que de tu boca sale, en tu seno se cae. The evil which issues from thy mouth falls into thy bosom.

El mal que no tiene cura es locura. Folly is the most incurable of maladies.

El marido antes con un ojo que con un hijo. A husband with one eye rather than with a son.

El mejor lance de los dados es no jugarlos. The best cast at dice is not to play.

El mejor pienso del cavallo es el ojo de su amo. The best feed of a horse is his master’s eye.

El melon y la muger malos son de conocer. A melon and a woman are hard to know.

El mentir no tiene alcabala. There is no tax upon lying.

El mentir y el compadrar ambos audan á la par. Lying and gossipping go hand in hand.

El mozo perezoso por no dar un paso da ocho. The lazy servant to save one step takes eight.

El mur que no sabe mas de un horado, presto le toma el gato. The mouse that knows but one hole is soon caught by the cat.

El oficial que no miente, sálgase de entre la gente. The official who can’t lie may as well be out of the world.

El ojo del amo engorda el caballo. The eye of the master fattens the steed.

El ojo limpiale con el codo. Wipe your eye with your elbow.

El pan comido, la compañía deshecha. The bread eaten, the company departed.

El perro del herrero duerme á las martilladas, y despierta á las dentelladas. The smith’s dog sleeps at the noise of the hammer, and wakes at the grinding of teeth.

El perro del hortelano ni come las berzas, ni las deja comer al estraño. The gardener’s dog neither eats greens nor lets any one else eat them.

El perro del hortelano, ni hambriento ni harto. The gardener’s dog, neither full nor hungry.

El perro viejo, si ladra, da consejo. When the old dog barks he gives counsel.

El pie del dueño estierco para la heredad. The master’s foot is manure for the estate.

El porfiado albardan comerá de tu pan. The busy fly is in every man’s dish.

El puerco sarnoso revuelve la pocilga. A measly hog infects the whole sty.

El que á su enemigo popa, á sus manos muere. He who trifles with his enemy dies by his hand.

El que es enemigo de la novia, como dirá bien de la boda? How shall the enemy of the bride speak well of the wedding?

El que está en el lodo querria meter á otro. He who is in the mud likes to get another into it.

El que está en la aceña muele, que no el que va y viene. He who remains in the mill grinds, not he who goes to and fro.

El que fué monacelo, y despues abad, sabe lo que hacen los mozos tras el altar. He who has been first a novice and then an abbot, knows what the boys do behind the altar.

El que ha ovejas, ha pellejas. He who has sheep has fleeces.

El que ley establece, guardarla debe. He who makes a law should keep it.

El que no duda, no sabe cosa alguna. He who doubts nothing knows nothing.

El que no tiene casa de suyo, vecino es de todo el mundo. He who has no house of his own is everywhere at home.

El que no tiene muger, cada dia la mata; mas quien la tiene, bien se la guarda. He who has no wife, is for thrashing her daily; but he that has one, takes care of her.

El que tarda, recauda. He who delays, gathers.

El que tiene tejados de vidrio, no tire piedras al de su vecino. He whose house is tiled with glass should not throw stones at his neighbour’s.

El rayo y el amor, la ropa sana y quemado el corazon. With lightning and with love, the clothes sound, the heart burned.

El rey va hasta do puede, y no hasta do quiere. The king goes as far as he can, not so far as he would.

El ruin barbero ni deja pelo ni cuero. The bad barber leaves neither hair nor skin.

El sol me luzga, que de la luna no he cura. Let the sun shine on me, for I care not for the moon.

El tocino de paraiso para el casado no arrepiso. The bacon of paradise for the married man that does not repent.

El tramposo presto engaña al codicioso. The sharper soon cheats the covetous man.

El usar saca oficial. Practice makes perfect.

El viejo en su tierra y el mozo en la agena, mienten de una manera. The old man at home, and the young abroad, lie after the same fashion.

El viejo por no poder, y el mozo por no saber, dejan las cosas perder. The old for want of ability, and the young for want of knowledge, let things be lost.

El vientre ayuno no oye á ninguno. A hungry belly listens to no one.

El vino anda sin calças. Wine wears no breeches.

El vino bueno no ha menester pregonero. Good wine needs no crier.

En arca abierta el justo peca. The righteous man sins before an open chest.

En boca cerrada no entra mosca. No fly gets into a shut mouth.

En buen dia buenas obras. The better day the better deed.

En cada tierra su uso. Every country has its custom.

En casa del ahorcado no se ha de mentar la soga. Never speak of a rope in the house of a man who was hanged.

En casa del gaitero todos son danzantes. In the bagpiper’s house they are all dancers.

En casa del herrero cuchillo de palo. In a smith’s house the knife is wooden.

En casa del moro no hables algarabía. Do not talk Arabic in the house of a Moor.

En casa de muger rica, ella manda siempre, y él nunca. In the rich woman’s house she always commands; he never.

En caza y en amores, entras quando quieres, y sales quando puedes. In hunting and in love you begin when you like and leave off when you can.

Encomendar las ovejas al lobo. To commit the sheep to the care of the wolf.

En el almoneda tien la boca queda. At an auction keep your mouth shut.

En el mejor paño cae la raza. The best cloth has uneven threads.

En el paño mas fino se ve mas la mancha. A spot shows most on the finest cloth.

En el rio do no hay pezes por demas es echar redes. It is in vain to cast nets in a river where there are no fish.

Engáñame en el precio, y no en lo que merco. Cheat me in the price and not in the goods.

En hora buena vengais, mal, si viens solo. Welcome, misfortune, if thou comest alone.

En la boda quien menos come es la novia. At the wedding-feast the least eater is the bride.

En quanto fué nuera, nunca tuve buena suegra, y en quanto fuí suegra, nunca tuve buena nuera. As long as I was a daughter-in-law I never had a good mother-in-law, and as long as I was a mother-in-law I never had a good daughter-in-law.

En salvo está el que repica. He is out of danger who rings the alarm-bell.

En tiempo helado el clavo vale un caballo. In frosty weather a nail is worth a horse.

Entienda primero, y habla postrero. Hear first, and speak afterwards.

En tierra de ciegos el tuerto es rey. The one-eyed man is a king in the country of the blind.

En tierra seca el agua salobre es buena. On dry land even brackish water is good.

Entre dos amigos un notario y dos testigos. Between two friends a notary and two witnesses.

Entre dos muelas molares nunca metas tus pulgares. Never put your thumbs between two grinders.

Entre tanto que cria, amamos el ama; pasado el provecho, luego olvidada. Whilst the nurse suckles, we love her; when she is of no further use, she is forgotten.

En voto del conde no mates al hombre. Don’t kill the man at the count’s desire.

Esa es buena que está al fuego y no se quema. She is good who is close to the fire and does not burn.

Esa es buena y honrada que es muerta y sepultada. She is good and honoured who is dead and buried.

Escrive antes que des, y recibe antes que escrivas. Let there be writing before you pay, and receipt before you write.

Escuchas al agujero, oirás de tú mal y del ageno. If you listen at a hole, you will hear ill of yourself as well as others.

Ese es mi amigo el que muele en mi molinillo. He is my friend who grinds at my mill.

F

Fiar de Dios sobre buena prenda. Trust in God upon good security.

For secreto, lo fumo lo descovre. Secret fire is discovered by its smoke. (Catalan.)

Fraile que pide por Dios, pide por dos. The friar who begs for God begs for two.

Frailes sobrand’ojo alerte. Where friars abound keep your eyes open.

Frailes, viver con ellos, y comer con ellos, y andar con ellos, y luego vendellos, que así hacen ellos. As for friars, live with them, eat with them, and walk with them; then sell them as they do themselves.

Fuego, fuego, muchas ollas y un garbanzo en todas. Fire, fire, many pots on, and one pea in them all.

G

Galgo que muchas liebras levanta, ninguna mata. The greyhound that starts many hares kills none.

Gana tiene de coles quien besa al hortelano. She is fond of greens who kisses the gardener.

Gato escaldado del agua fria ha miedo. The scalded cat dreads cold water.

Gato maullador nunca buen cazador. A mewing cat is never a good mouser.

Gloria vana florece, y no grana. Vainglory blossoms, and bears no fruit.

Goza tú de tu poco, mientras busca mas el loco. Enjoy your little whilst the fool is seeking for more.

Grano no henche harnero, mas ayuda á su compañero. A grain does not fill a sieve, but it helps its fellow.