They also serve who only stand and wait
This teaches patience. While others are actively concerned in some enterprise, there must be those who play a passive part, but without whom the... Read more →
There is safety in numbers
It is safer to be among the majority than among the minority; the more friends you have, the better it will be for you. The proverb is often... 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 no wheat without chaff
Chaff is the outer covering of the grain and has to be separated from it. The proverb means that merit is often obscured by worthlessness.... Read more →
There is no time like the present
If a thing has to be done, do it now. Don't put it off till tomorrow. Remember that Procrastination is the thief of time.
There is no smoke without fire
This refers to rumours, the argument being that all rumours are based on fact; that although some may doubt the accuracy of a report that is... Read more →
There is no royal road to learning
A royal road to anything is a way of attaining it without trouble or effort, since a king's way (the royal road) is always made easy for him.... Read more →
There is no rose without a thorn
A rose without a thorn is synonymous with impossible happiness. However happy we are, there is always some little touch of sadness or... Read more →
There is no pleasure without pain
This may seem a sweeping statement, yet even the drunkard doesn't achieve his pleasure without the pain of a hangover next morning.