The shoemaker’s children go barefoot
A skilled or knowledgeable person commonly neglects to give his own family the benefit of his expertise because he is keen on selling what he... Read more →
Proverbs starting with letter S
Share and share alike
Mete out or partake of something equally, as in Mom told the children to share and share alike with their Halloween candy. This term, first... Read more →
Set a thief to catch a thief
A thief knows all the tricks of the game, so it is best fitted to catch others engaged in it. A similar proverb is An old poacher makes the best... Read more →
Set a begger on horseback and he’ll ride to the devil
When a man without money grows suddenly rich, he is liable to become the most arrogant of mortals. John Wolcot, whose pen-name was Peter Pindar,... Read more →
Self-preservation is the first law of nature
We often use this as an excuse for our own selfish conduct - for 'looking after number one'.
Self-praise is no recommendation
You may be proud of your achievements; you may have a very high opinion of yourself; you may thing that others should be made to realize what a... Read more →
Seeing is believing
Many people are reluctant to believe a thing unless they can see it.
Second thoughts are best
To have second thoughts is to reconsider a matter, and we usually find that our second decision is wiser than the first. I was just sitting... Read more →
Saying is one thing and doing another
It is easier to talk about doing a thing than it is to do it. It is easier to give advice than to put it into practice. 'That tree's too close... Read more →
Safety lies in the middle of the course
Do not go to extremes. Always compromise if that is possible.