Discretion is the better part of valour
Although a brave man is better than a coward, caution is often better than rashness. Tom might say to Harry: 'I dare you walk along the edge of... Read more →
Proverbs starting with letter D
Discontent is the first step in progress
Were we all completely satisfied with the existing state of affairs, there would be no progress. It is only when we are not content wit the... Read more →
Diamond cut diamond
This is more usual than 'Diamond cuts diamond'. Diamond is the hardest substance known; a diamond can be cut only by another diamond. The... Read more →
The devil was sick …
The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be; The devil was well, the devil a monk was he. People who make pious resolutions in time of... Read more →
The devil take the hindmost
This is the short version of EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF, AND THE DEVIL TAKE THE HINDMOST.
The devil is not so black as he is painted
No one is wholly bad, and when we think that someone has been blamed too much we use this proverb. 'I agree with you up the a post, but don't be... Read more →
The devil finds work for the idle hands to do
Those who have nothing useful to do and seeks some way of passing the time are liable to drift into wrongdoing.
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose
This is an attack to hypocrisy, on those who cover up their evil-doing by quoting passages from the Bible or Qur'an. The proverb comes from... Read more →
Desperate diseases must have desperate remedies
Some forms of medical treatment are not normally used because they are liable to be as dangerous in effect as the diseases themselves. But when... Read more →
Desires are nourished by delays
The proverb means, the longer we are kept waiting for something, the more we want it.