Wise men learn by other men’s mistakes; fools by their own
It is better to keep out of trouble by not repeating the foolish behaviour of others than it is to do as they did and suffer in the same way.
Proverbs with the word Men
When thieves fall out, honest men come by their own
If thieves are squabbling among themselves, they are too busy to rob honest men. The phrase 'come by their own' means 'keep what belongs to... Read more →
When all men speak, no man hears
Unless we listen to each other, we shall learn nothing
There is a tide in the affairs of men …
This comes in a speech by Brutus in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to... Read more →
One volunteer is worth two pressed men
Here 'pressed' means 'compelled to serve in the armed forces.' The modern term is 'conscripted' or 'called up'. A volunteer joins of his own... Read more →
Men strain at gnats and swallow camels
This is hypocrisy, the behaviour of those who speak loudly against small offences while committing, much greater offences at the same time.... Read more →
Men make houses, women make homes
The husband may bay, or even build, the house, but it only becomes a real home when it is made warm and comfortable by the wife.
Men leap over where the hedge is lowest
It is natural in human beings to take the easiest course. There is no sense in doing things the hard way, in making difficulties for oneself.
Men are not to be measured in inches
The greatness of a man does not depend on his physical stature. Napoleon Bonaparte, for example, was barely five feet inches in height.
Men are known by the company they keep
This is similar to Birds of a feather flock together. Benjamin Hapgood Burt, the American lyricst, wrote the following delightful jingle: One... Read more →