Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion
Another old proverb says the same thing more clearly: 'Better be the head of the yeomanry than the tail of the gentry.' In other words, it's... Read more →
Better be sure than sorry
It is better to be safe than to do anything that may place us in dangerous position. Here 'sure' is used in a old sense of 'safe', 'free from... Read more →
Better be an old man’s darling than a young man’s slave
This proverb suggests, rightly or wrongly, that the women who marries an old man will fare better than the women who marries a young one, on the... Read more →
Better be a fool than a knave
Of the two evils foolishness is the lesser, since it is usually considered something you are born with, whilst knavery is something a person... Read more →
Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow
This means the same as A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
The best of friends must part
This is on the same theme as All good things come to an end. The words can be found in the chorus of There is a Tavern in the Town: Fare thee... Read more →
The best is often the enemy of the good
This suggests that in striving to reach perfection we often spoil what would have been good enough. It is thus opposite in advice to If a thing... Read more →
Avoid a questioner, for he is also a tattler
A person who asks a lot of questions will waste no time in passing your answers on to other people, however confidential they may be.
Ask no questions and be told no lies
This is often the reply of parents to children who ask too many awkward questions. It means that if you ask many questions about things you... Read more →
As you sow, so shall you reap
You will be punished or rewarded according to whether you have led a virtuous or a sinful life. The source of the proverb is Galatians, v, 7:... Read more →