In wine there is truth
A sober man keeps a guard on his tongue, holding back anything he wishes to hide. Strong drink unseals his lips and he tells everything. Hence a... Read more →
Proverbs starting with letter I
In vino veritas
This is the original Latin version of the proverb In wine there is truth.
In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
If a man shows greater ability than those around him he has a decided advantage, even though his talents are not really out-standing.... Read more →
In peace prepare for war
Another version of If you want peace, prepare for war.
In for a penny, in for a pound
Once we have admitted ourselves to some extent in an undertaking, we may as well go through with it. The American English variant of the... Read more →
In a calm sea every man is a pilot
We are all ready to do the other fellow's job – or offer advice – when there is no risk attached, but we are not so eager to volunteer when... Read more →
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
To flatter is to give too much praise, to compliment unduly. By its very nature it is insincere, not an expression of honest opinion. If,... Read more →
Ill weeds grow apace
Though the plants we value will not grow in our gardens without endless care and attention, worthless weeds always thrive; and worthless people... Read more →
An ill payer never wants an excuse
Here 'wants' means 'lacks'. A man who keeps his creditors waiting always has an excuse ready for not paying their bills.
Ill news comes apace
The more modern version of this proverb is Bad news travels fast. Bad news nearly always reaches us more quickly than good news. News about... Read more →