This is a list of popular English proverbs.
Proverbs are also known as sayings. Proverbs give some form of life advice. Every language and culture has them, and many proverbs exist in more than one language.
A proverb is a short, pithy saying that expresses a traditionally held truth or piece of advice, based on common sense or experience.
Nothing defines a culture as distinctly as its language, and the element of language that best encapsulates a society's values and beliefs is its proverbs.
This list of English proverbs includes definitions and examples, and is meant to improve English vocabulary and English cultural knowledge.
1. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Being away from someone or something for a period of time makes you appreciate that person or thing more when you see them or it again
2. Actions speak louder than words.
What you do is more important than what you say
3. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
You must begin something if you hope to finish it; something that takes a long time to finish begins with one step.
4. All good things must come to an end.
Everything ends, good times don't last forever.
5. A picture is worth a thousand words.
An image can tell a story better than words
6. A watched pot never boils.
If something takes time to do, it doesn't help to constantly check on it. You just have to give it time.
7. Beggars can't be choosers.
If you're in a bad situation and someone offers to help you, you have to take whatever they give you and shouldn't ask for more.
8. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
What is "beautiful" is different for each person
9. Better late than never.
It's better to finish something late than to never do it at all
10. Birds of a feather flock together.
People who are similar spend time together.
11. Cleanliness is next to godliness
It's good to be clean. God is clean, and you should be too.
12. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Don't make someone angry or hurt someone who is helping you or paying for you.
13. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Don't expect a positive result before you actually see it.
14. Don't judge a book by its cover.
Don't judge someone or something by appearance alone.
15. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
Don't put all of your hopes and resources into one goal or dream.
16. Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
If you can do something today, do it. Don't wait until tomorrow, don't procrastinate.
17. Don't put too many irons in the fire.
Don't try to do too many things at the same time, focus on one thing at a time.
18. Easy come, easy go.
When you make money quickly, it's very easy to lose it quickly as well.
19. Fortune favors the bold
People who are brave and who take risks are more successful than people who are do things safely all the time.
20. God helps those who help themselves.
Don't just wait for good things to happen to you. Work hard to make them happen.
21. Good things come to those who wait.
If you are patient, good things can happen.
22. Honesty is the best policy.
It's always better to tell the truth than it is to lie.
23. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
In any situation, be optimistic about the result, but always be ready for the worst outcome
24. If it ain't broke, don't fix it
If something is already working well, don't try to change it or improve it.
25. If you can't beat them, join them.
If you can't change someone's behavior or opinion, sometimes it's better or easier to do what they want to do.
26. If you play with fire, you'll get burned.
If you get involved in something dangerous or beyond your abilities, you will probably experience negative consequences.
27. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.
Don't depend on someone else to do a good job, do it yourself.
28. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
If someone is your enemy, treat them like a friend so you can be ready if they ever try to betray you
29. Knowledge is power.
The more you know, the more powerful you can be in different areas of your life
30. Laughter is the best medicine.
When you're in a difficult situation, laughing can make it easier to get through that situation
31. Like father, like son
Said when a son is similar to his father; also, "Like mother, like daughter"
32. No man is an island
No one is truly capable of living alone. We need human connection to be healthy
33. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones
Don't criticize someone if you're not perfect either; don't be a hyprocrite.
34. Practice makes perfect.
The more you do something, the better you will become at it.
35. The early bird gets the worm.
People who wake up early or who get to places early have a better chance of success
36. The enemy of my enemy is my friend
If someone whom I don't like doesn't like someone else whom I don't like, we can act like friends and unite against the other person (common in war).
37. The grass is always greener on the other side.
People always want what they don't have.
38. The pen is mightier than the sword.
If you're trying to convince someone of something, words and ideas are stronger than using physical force (common in politics).
39. There is no place like home
The phrase typically means that one is most comfortable in one's own surroundings. Meaning there's no place you'd rather be than being at home.
40. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Nothing is free. Even the things that are free have a hidden cost
41. There is no time like the present.
Don't wait to do something. Do it now.
42. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
The person who complains in a situation is more likely to get something.
43. Time is money
Don't waste your time or other people's time; also, if you can use your time to make money in some way, you should do that.
44. Two heads are better than one.
It's easier to do something as a team than by yourself
45. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Trying to get revenge on someone who has hurt you will only make things worse
46. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
When you are in a new place or situation, try to act like the majority of people in that place or situation.
47. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
When a situation becomes difficult, strong people don't give up; they work harder
48. Where there's smoke, there's fire.
If something seems wrong, it probably is; also, there is usually some truth to a rumor
49. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it.
You can try to help someone by giving good advice, but you can’t force them to accept it or follow it
50. You can't always get what you want.
Don't complain if you don't get what you want
