Proverbs starting with letter W

Where there’s a will there’s a way

Given sufficient determination, we can accomplish what set out to do. The mountain ridges tower up to the sky, And seem all human labor to... Read more →

What you don’t know won’t hurt you

What you do not know will not worry or harm you. The expression is most often used, to justify not giving information to somone to avoid... Read more →

The worth of a thing is best known by the want of it

It is only when we have been deprived of something that we appreciate the true value of it. One illustration of this is, of course, the other... Read more →

The worst wheel of the cart creaks most

The inefficient or lazy worker is the one who does all the complaining.

Worse things happen at sea

We say this in a resigned tone when we find ourselves in an awkward or difficult situation, or when we have to put up with something less than... Read more →

The worse luck now, the better another time

Just as we are not always lucky, so we are not always unlucky. The colloquial phrase is: 'Better luck next time.'

Words cut more than swords

A sharp tongue wounds.  This means the same as The tongue is not of steel, yet it cuts.

A word spoken is past recalling

Once you have said a thing, it is too late to regret having said it. We find the following in The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam translated by Edward... Read more →

A word is enough to the wise

An intelligent person can readily take a hint. Whoever is speaking to him knows that he does not need a long explanation. The Latin version is... Read more →

A wonder lasts but nine days

A nine day's wonder is an event that attracts much attention, but is soon forgotten. Dr Brewer divides the nine days into 'three days'... Read more →