Every ass likes to hear himself bray
The donkey (ass) is supposed to be fond of his own ugly voice. In the same way, foolish people seem to be fond of their own voices, since they talk too much.
Proverbs starting with letter E
Even Homer sometimes nods
Even the best of use are liable to make mistakes. Homer was the greatest of Greek poets. Horace, the Roman poet, wrote to Homer's occasional poetic lapses: 'I, too am indignant when the worthy Homer... Read more →
Even a worm will turn
Metaphorically worm is an insignificant or contemptible person. Meek and humble as he is, however, he will resist or retaliate if pushed too far. 'You wouldn't think little Percy Perkins had it in... Read more →
Enough is as good as a feast
This teaches the same lesson as Moderation in all things. We use it in such remarks as these: 'I like sopranos up to a point, but when she sang three songs straight off, her voice began to grate on... Read more →
An Englishman’s house is his castle
He is legally entitled to his privacy. No other person may enter his house without his permission. Here is an amusing little extract from a speech by John J. Ingalls in the United States Senate on... Read more →
The end makes all equal
There can be no such distinctions as wealth, poverty, greatness, humbleness among the dead. When dead we lose all our worldly attributes. In this sense death makes as all equal.
The end justifies the means
This is perhaps one of the most disputed ideas of modern times. The difference between a totalitarian government and a democratic one is mainly that the one puts complete faith in the proverb,... Read more →
Empty vessels make the most sound
Here 'vessels' are metal receptacles such as buckets, oil-drums, and petrol-cans, which, when struck, make more noise when they are empty then when they are full. The meaning if the proverb is that... Read more →
An empty sack cannot stand upright
The sack here is a sack of flour, from which bread is made. Just as the sack is kept upright by the flour, so is man supported and kept alive by bread.
Eavesdroppers never hear any good of themselves
It doesn't do to be too curious or inquisitive. The projecting edges of the roof of a house are known as the 'eaves', and the space of ground on which rainwater falls from the eaves is the... Read more →
