Proverbs with the word Nothing

When in doubt do nowt

This is an old Cheshire proverb, 'nowt' meaning 'nothing'. It is better to refrain from action than to do something you are not sure about.... Read more →

There is nothing that costs less than civility

There is nothing to be lost by behaving in a courteous way. This means the same as Courtesy costs nothing.

There is nothing new under the sun

The phrase 'under the sun' means 'in the world'. Even the very latest novelty is only something revived. As the French paradox has it : 'There... Read more →

There is nothing permanent except change

This was the theory of Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher, who maintained that change is the only reality in nature.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

This advises bold action. If you are not prepared to take risks you cannot expect to get results. 'I want to borrow the car for the weekend,... Read more →

Nothing stake, nothing draw

This refers to gambling. If you are not prepared to stake any money, you cannot expect to win any. In a wider sense this means the same as... Read more →

Nothing succeeds like success

It is not easy to achieve success, but once you have achieved it, the way is open to even greater prosperity. For example, a novelist may write... Read more →

Nothing so bad but might have been worse

There is always something to be thankful for. 'The house was burnt to the ground, but things might have been worse, for I managed to save the... Read more →

Nothing seek, nothing find

This teaches initiative. Success is not achieved without an effort. 'He that seeketh findeth,' runs the old saying and in Matthew vii, 7 we... Read more →

Nothing is so certain as the unexpected

Something unforeseen is liable to happen at any moment. This means the same as it is The unexpected that always happens.