Proverbs starting with letter H

He who gives fair words feeds you with an empty spoon

We gain nothing from being flattered; nor do we profit from other people’s accuses.

He who excuses himself accuses himself

We suspect that the person who makes too many excuses because he is probably covering up his ill actions. It is better to admit a thing frankly... Read more →

He who denies all confesses all

If a person has something he wishes to conceal he can be so persistent in his expressions of innocence that his hearers become convinced that he... Read more →

He who begins many things, finishes but few

Many of us lack the power to concentrate. We start on something, but soon tire of it and transfer our interest to something else. The result is... Read more →

He travels the fastest who travels alone

An ambitious man can get along much better when he is not hampered by a wife and family, or by friends who hold him back. The quotation comes... Read more →

He that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin

Most mothers exercise a considerable influence over their daughters, so to gain the goodwill of the mother is a important step towards marrying... Read more →

He that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens

To enjoy one thing, you must be prepared to put up with another.

He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut

You cannot eat an almond without first cracking the shell. By extension, you cannot expect to anything without working for it.

He that will not when he may, when he will he shall have nay

Here 'nay' means 'a refusal'. This proverb could apply to a certain Mr Lambert. One afternoon he was telephoned by a friend who offered him a... Read more →

He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled

This comes from the Apocrypha and is a warning against mixing with the rich. 'As the wild ass is the lion's prey in the wilderness, so the rich... Read more →