Famous Proverbs

Better safe than sorry

It is preferable to be cautious in your choices and actions than to suffer afterwards. The proverb teaches prudence and planning, and should not... Read more →

Knowledge is power

The greater our knowledge, the greater our influence on others. The phrase implies that with knowledge or education one's potential or... Read more →

Easy come, easy go

Those who get money without effort usually squander it. 'Young Willis inherited ten thousand pounds less than two years ago, and now he hasn't a... Read more →

Give credit where credit is due

Here 'credit' means 'acknowledgement of merit' and nothing to do with money.  The proverb means that we should acknowledge the good points of... Read more →

East or west, home is best

Wherever it is, and however far you may travel from it, There's no place like home.

United we stand, divided we fall

Unity is strength. As long as we stick together we shall be safe. If we begin to quarrel among ourselves, our opponents will strike us down one... Read more →

Walls have ears

Be careful what you say and where you say it. There my be someone lurking on the other side of the wall, or, to bring the proverb up to date,... Read more →

Patience is a virtue

It is also the art of hoping. We must be patient and not despair.

A Jack of all trades is master of none

Here 'Jack' is a name for a general labourer, one who does odd jobs and can turn his hand to anything. A 'trade' in this sense is a occupation -... Read more →

Actions speak louder than words

It is what we do that really matters, not just what we say. In Longfellow's The Song of Hiawatha, Hiawatha answers the mighty and bragging... Read more →