Proverbs starting with letter C

A close mouth catches no flies

When you say less, you can avoid getting into trouble. The proverb is a reminder to be careful about what you say and to think before you... Read more →

A clean hand wants no washing

This proverb conveys the idea that a person who has done no wrong has no need to confess or seek forgiveness. The proverb also implies that if... Read more →

A city that parleys is half gotten

A city willing to negotiate and come to an agreement is already halfway to being conquered. The proverb suggests that when two parties are... Read more →

A cat in gloves catches no mice

Sometimes you cannot get what you want by being careful and polite. Restraint and caution (or ‘pussyfooting’) achieve nothing. This is... Read more →

Cut your coat according to your cloth

Adjust your expenditure according to your resources. 'I asked the dealer the price of the tennis racket I had set my heart on, but it was too... Read more →

Custom reconciles us to everything

In modern parlance, we can get used to anything. The longer we have to put up with it, however irksome or unpleasant it may be, the more able... Read more →

Custom makes all things easy

This means the same as practice makes perfect.

Curses, like chickens, come home to roost

Here 'come home to roost' means 'recoil upon the originator', just as when a stone thrown up into the air comes down on the head of the thrower.... Read more →

Cross the stream where it is shallowest

Don’t make difficulties for yourself by doing things the hard way. Find the simplest means of achieving your object.

A creaking gate hangs long

The proverb suggests that persons seemingly weak or in poor health often live a long time. This is mostly used for very sick people that are... Read more →