PROVERBS A stumble may prevent a fall All good things come to those who wait Everyone must row

with the oars he has Every path has its puddle God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb One of these days is none of these days Revenge is a dish best served cold Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow Beauty without grace is like a hook without bait. Caught between a rock and a hard place Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea (to be stuck with two choices that are both undesirable) Out of the frying pan and into the fire (to go from a bad to a worse situation) Might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb (if you're going to get into the same amount of trouble, you might as well commit the greater0 offense) Six of one, half a dozen of the other (each choice is really the same thing) Two sides of the same coin (two aspects of a situation that are connected by necessity) In for a penny, in for a pound (if you're going to make a minor commitment you might as well make the entire commitment) Don't count your chickens before they're hatched (don't start making plans for something until it is a reality, rather than a pleasant speculation)

Don't cross your bridges before you get to them (don't worry about future problems before you need to) A stitch in time saves nine (if you take care of a problem while it's small you won't have a bigger problem to deal with later) (or, as Dr. Who likes to say: A stitch in time takes up space) Time and tide wait for no man (act in a timely fashion because you can't get back lost chances) (or, once again as Dr. Who likes to say: Time and tide melts the snowman.) To listen is to learn, and to understand is to inspire. A lie well stuck to is as good as the truth.

Contrary Proverbs A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush A miss is as good as a mile All good things come to those who wait Birds of a feather flock together Clothes make the BU T BU T BU T BU T BU A man's reach should exceed his grasp Half a loaf is better than none Time and tide wait for no man Opposites attract Never judge a book

man Don't cross your bridges before you come to them Doubt is the beginning of wisdom Good things come in small packages Great starts make great finishes

T BU T BU T BU T BU T BU T BU T BU T BU T BU T BU T

by its cover Forewarned is forearmed Faith will move mountains The bigger the better It ain't over 'till it's over Fools rush in where angels fear to tread Look before you leap All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy The squeaky wheel gets the grease Actions speak louder than words You can't teach an old dog new tricks One man's meat is another man's poison. Fools seldom differ

He who hesitates is lost

Practice makes perfect Silence is golden The pen is mightier than the sword You're never too old to learn

What's good for the BU goose is good for T the gander Wise men think alike BU T

Proverb Humor Anti-proverbs Sources A penny saved makes Jack a dull boy A penny saved is a penny earned, and All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy Absence makes the heart grow fonder Abstinence makes the heart go wander Haste makes waste Practice makes perfect and Nobody's perfect

Absence makes the heart go wander Chaste makes waste If practice makes perfect and nobody's perfect then why practice? The early bird catches the worm, but it is the early worm that gets caught

The early bird catches The early bird may get the worm the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese Time wounds all heels Where there's a will, there's a relative Time heals all wounds Where there's a will, there's a way

Circumlocutory Proverbs A disposition towards inquiry deprived the feline of its vital state Elementary sartorial techniques initially applied obviate the need for repetitive similar actions to the square of three Exigency is the matriarch of ingenious contrivance The stylus is more potent than the claymore There is illumination at the termination of the subterranean excavation Curiosity killed the cat

A stitch in time saves nine

Necessity is the mother of invention The pen is mightier than the sword There's a light at the end of the tunnel (Barry Klein, Melbourne, Australia)

Stunted Proverbs Familiarity breeds contempt People living in glass houses should not pelt stones BU T BU T Familiarity breeds! People living in glass houses should not!

Silicon Proverbs 1.Home is where you hang your @ 2.The e-mail of the species is more deadly than the mail

3.A journey of a thousand sites begins with a single click 4.You can't teach a new mouse old clicks 5.Great groups from little icons grow 6.Speak softly and carry a cellular phone 7.C:\ is the root of all directories 8.Don't put all your hypes in one home page 9.Pentium wise; pen and paper foolish 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. The modem is the message Too many clicks spoil the browse The geek shall inherit the earth A chat has nine lives. Don't byte off more than you can view. Fax is stranger than fiction What boots up must come down Windows will never cease In Gates we trust Virtual reality is its own reward Modulation in all things

21. A user and his leisure time are soon parted 22. There's no place like home.com! 23. Know what to expect before you connect 24. Oh, what a tangled Web site we weave when first we practice 25. Speed thrills 26. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to use the Net and he won't bother you for weeks

New Proverbs 1.If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out. 2.Age is a very high price to pay for maturity. 3.Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he'll be a mile way - and barefoot. 4.Going to church doesn't make you a holy person any more than going to a garage makes you a mechanic. 5.Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity. 6.A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory. 7.A closed mouth gathers no feet. 8.If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before. 9.My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance. 10. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious. 11. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission. 12. I have found at my age going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of my face. 13. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program. 14. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip. 15. Always yield to temptation, because it may not pass your way again.

16. A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good. 17. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway. 18. No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes. 19. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it. 20. It's amazing what you won't find if you don't look for it, especially if it's not there. (Thanks to Mark O'Reilly, Dundee, Scotland.) Proverb completion A first grade teacher collected old, well-known proverbs. She gave each child in her class the first half of a proverb, and had them come up with the rest. 1.As you shall make your bed, so shall you..........mess it up 2.Better to be safe than....................punch a 5th grader 3.Strike while the................................bug is close 4.It's always darkest before.............daylight savings time 5.You can lead a horse to water but.......................how? 6.Don't bite the hand that.........................looks dirty 7.A miss is as good as a...................................Mr. 8.You can't teach an old dog new..........................math

9.If you lie down with the dogs, you'll.....stink in the morning 10. The pen is mightier than the............................pigs 11. An idle mind is.........................the best way to relax 12. Where there's smoke, there's.......................pollution 13. Happy the bride who......................gets all the presents 14. A penny saved is.....................................not much 15. Two's company, three's..........................the musketeers 16. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and....you have to blow your nose 17. Children should be seen and not..........spanked or grounded 18. When the blind leadeth the blind..........get out of the way 19. Better late than.....................................pregnant Miscellanea 1.A tree never hits an automobile except in self defense Chinese Proverbs 1.A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches. 2.A child's fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam, which his mother puts into his palm.

3.An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb. 4.A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness. 5.A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride. 6.As the dog said, 'If I fall down for you and you fall down for me, it is playing.' 7.Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped. 8.If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings. 9.If you don't stand for something, you will fall for something. 10. Looking at a king's mouth one would never think he sucked his mother's breast. 11. People should not talk while they are eating or pepper may go down the wrong way. 12. The faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory. 13. The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did. 14. The mouth, which eats, does not talk. 15. The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them. 16. Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble. When a man says yes, his chi (personal god) says yes also.
17.

18. When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk. 19. You can tell a ripe corn by its look. 20. You must judge a man by the work of his hands.

English proverbs and sayings A change is as good as a rest. A constant guest is never welcome. A creaking door hangs longest. A few germs never hurt anyone. A fool and his money are soon parted. A friend in need is a friend indeed. A good payer will not object to leaving a deposit. A little thing in hand is worth more than a great thing in prospect. A man may learn wit every day. A miss is as good as a mile. A moneyless man goes fast through the market. A pound of care will not pay a pound of debt. A rolling stone gathers no moss. A rule isn't unfair if it applies to everyone.

A soft answer turneth away wrath. A woman's place is in the home. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Abundance of things engenders disdainfulness. Actions speak louder than words / voice. After dinner rest a while, after supper walk a mile. All griefs with bread are less. All mouth and no trousers. All talk and no action. All things are easy that are done willingly. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Anger and hate hinder good counsel. Anger is a short madness. Any port in a storm. Appetite comes with eating. As soon as one goes out the window, another comes in the door. As sure as eggs is eggs / (God made) little green apples / night follows day / the day is long. At the game's end we shall see who gains.

Beauty draws more than oxen. Beggars' bags are bottomless. Beggars can't be choosers. Better keep now than seek anon. Better late / later than never. Better to ask the way than to go astray. Birth is much, but breeding is more. Brain is better than brawn. Cowards die many times. Dead men have no friends. Different strokes for different folks. Discretion is the better part of courage / valor. Do what is right, come what may. Each of us must face our own responsibilities. Each person knows where problems lie. Each to his own and God watching over everyone. Each to his own. Eat, drink and be merry (for tomorrow we die). Every dog has its day. Every law has a / its loophole.

Everyone gets his comeuppance in the end / just deserts sooner or later. Everyone sees things from his / her own point of view. Evildoers always think the worst of others. Faint heart never won fair lady. Fine words butter no parsnips. Fools rush / walk in where angels fear to tread. For a good appetite there is no hard bread. Friendless in life, friendless in death. Give a dog a bad name (and hang it). Give a thing and take a thing, to wear the devil's gold ring. God sends cold after clothes. Great minds think alike. Half a loaf is better than no bread. Half the truth is often a whole lie. He that blames would buy. He that chastens one chastens twenty. He that eats till he is sick must fast till he is well. He that fights and runs away, lives to fight another day.

He that is born to be hanged shall never be drowned. He that would have the fruit must climb the tree. He who excuses himself accuses himself. He who pays the piper calls the tune. Health is better than wealth. Hell has / hath no fury like a woman scorned. Her left hand doesn't know what her right hand is doing. Home is where he hangs his hat. Home is where the heart is. Honesty is the best policy. Honor buys no meat in the market. Hope deferred makes the heart sick. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Hope is a good breakfast but a bad supper. Hunger drives the wolf out of the woods. Hunger is good kitchen. Hunger is the best sauce. Hunger never saw bad bread / food. I don't care what people say as long as I

get what want. If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. If wishes were horses (, then beggars would ride). If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. If you don't have what it takes you won't get on in the world. If you go away, you can't expect people to keep your place for you. If you leave your place, you lose it. If you lie down with dogs, you'll get up with fleas. If you live like that, you're bound to come to a bad end. If you talk too much you're likely to give yourself away. If you think the worst, you won't be far wrong. If you want to watch, you'd better keep quiet. If you wish good advice, consult an old man. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In for a penny, in for a pound.

It just makes things worse. It makes no difference. It never rains, but it pours. It's a question of swings and roundabouts. It's a small world! Ilocano Proverbs and Sayings Ilocano is an Austronesian language spoken by nine million people in Northern Luzon, Philippines. It is also historically the largest Philippine language spoken in the United States. Nearly 1/5 of Hawaiian residents can claim some Ilocano heritage. A young tree is easy to straighten, but when it's big it is difficult. A man that talks too much accomplishes little. Captivating in the street, dead in the kitchen (lady who dresses beyond her means) A true friend is known in time of need. Barking dogs seldom bite. Knowledge is wealth that can't be stolen. If it's work, do it fast. If it's food, eat it little by little. A wise man doesn't see his foot on the ground, he watches his next step. What is easily acquired is easily lost. Wealth can be acquired but beauty cannot. He who cackles laid the egg (he who talks first is the guilty party).

One need not inherit wealth if he inherits good manners. Where there are flowers there are butterflies (young women attract young men) The kick of a female carabao, the massage of the male. (women can't hurt men physically) The crow will turn white and the heron black (said to express impossibility) Of what use is grass when the horse is dead? (said to misers) The tomato plant doesn't grow mangos. (A good person doesn't come from a bad family) A debt can be paid, but a kind act cannot. He who is choosy often picks the worst. After the harvest, there's no hay. (Deeds cannot be undone) Even if the firewood is green, it will burn when lit (man and women together will eventually be attracted to each other) It's better to be dead and forgotten than to live in shame. Useless labor if someone else eats from it (said if another reaps benefits of your work) He who refuses advice will end up in hardship. He who sows, reaps. There is no muddy water that doesn't clear (One can always change one's ways) The bittermelon is not yet cooked and the squash jumped in (who asked you to join in?) Be careful that you don't spit on your own face. Even if you put it in your mouth, it can fall out (it is not unconditionally yours)

When it rains, everyone gets wet (gifts must be given to all) When a horse is borrowed, don't look at its teeth (don't criticize what you borrow) He who eats chili gets burned and he who touches the pot gets charcoal on his hands. What goes up must come down. You cannot squeeze blood out if there's none left. (said by a debtor) If there is no patience, there will be no food. He who waits dies, he who makes others wait lives. He who does not look back to his origins will not reach his destination. A sleeping lobster is carried away by the current. Rice is wasted, even the bran. (said when everything ventured is lost) Whatever you sow, you reap. A child that is given everything will rarely succeed in life. No man is brave in the presence of a crying woman. Different towns have different customs. Italian Proverbs Better one day as a lion than a hundred as a sheep Love rules without rules Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves When the chess game is over, the pawns, rooks, knights, bishops, kings, and queens all go back into the same box He who finds a friend, finds a treasure

He who scrubs the head of an ass wastes his soap A friend to all and a friend to none is one and the same Love is blind Not all those who are learned are wise The liar needs a good memory People in glass houses should not throw stones Once a thief always a thief Every rule has an exception One who makes his bed must lie in it Don't judge a book by its cover The tongue has no bone but it breaks bone You catch more flies with honey than a barrel of vinegar A fool and his money are soon parted Ivatan Proverbs Ivatan (Chirin nu Ibatan) is a language spoken by 30,000 people on the Batanes Islands, north of Luzon Island, Philippines, and south of Taiwan. Carry with you good teaching, always bear in mind sound advice. There is no strong man when the sea is at its worst. There is no current that does not bounce back. The feces that is dropped is sure comfort (consumated things are permanent). Do not gore the peg where you are tied (do not forget your heritage). Nobody can steal your knowledge. Grasp the opportunity because the bed bugs will carry and hide them inside the floor. Do not eat your fingers (do not take advantage of your relatives).

No one burns the house of a good man. Kurdish Proverbs 1.A cup of coffee commits one to forty years of friendship. 2.A fool dreams of wealth, a wise man, of happiness. 3.A good companion shortens the longest road. 4.A heart in love with beauty never grows old. 5.A hungry stomach has no ears. 6.A kind word warms a man through three winters. 7.A knife-wound heals, but a tongue-wound festers. 8.A man is as wise as his head, not his years. 9.A man is judged by his work. 10. A neighbor's hen looks as big as a goose, and his wife as young as a girl. 11. 12. A red apple invites stones. A small key opens big doors.

13. A thousand friends are too few; one enemy is one too many. 14. A tribulation is better than a hundred warnings. 15. A visitor comes with ten blessings, eats one, and leaves nine. 16. A wise man does his own work. 17. A wise man remembers his friends at all times; a fool, only when he has need of them.

18. 19.

Ability has no school. Activity breeds prosperity.

20. An illness comes by the pound and goes away by the ounce. 21. An open door invites callers. 22. At table keep short hand; in company keep a short tongue. 23. Beauty passes; wisdom remains. 24. Better a calf of one's own than a jointly owned cow. 25. Better a wise foe than a foolish friend. 26. Both the hunted and the hunter rely on God. 27. Do not roll up your trousers before reaching the stream. 28. Do what your teacher says but not what he does. 29. Dogs bark, but the caravan goes on. 30. Eat and drink with your friends but do not trade with them. 31. Empty words will not fill an empty stomach. 32. Even the highest tree has an axe waiting at its foot. 33. 34. 35. Every "bad" has its "worse". Every sheep is hung by his own leg. Fear an ignorant man more than a lion.

36. For every wise man there is one still wiser. 37. Give nine, save ten.

38. God finds a low branch for the bird that cannot fly. 39. God has created us brothers but has given us separate purses. 40. 41. Guests bring good luck with them. Habit is worse than rabies.

42. If God closes one door, He opens a thousand others. 43. If skill could be gained by watching, every dog would become a butcher. 44. If you are an anvil, be patient; if you are a hammer, be strong. 45. If you give him cloth, he'll ask for the lining. 46. If you wish to do a good deed, consult no one. 47. In a flat country a hillock thinks itself a mountain. 48. It is easier to make a camel jump a ditch than to make a fool listen to reason. 49. It is easy to catch a serpent with someone else's hand. 50. It is easy to say "Come" difficult to say "Go". 51. It is more difficult to contend with oneself than with the world. 52. Kind words will unlock an iron door. 53. Listen a hundred times; ponder a thousand times; speak once. 54. Many will show you the way once your cart has overturned. 55. No matter where you go, your destiny follows you.

56. Of everything else the newest; of friends, the oldest. 57. Once a friend, always a friend. 58. One beats one's breast who does not beat one's child. 59. One gives twice who gives quickly. 60. One can never repay one's debt to one's mother. 61. One is equally indebted to one's teacher and to God. 62. Open your eyes, not your mouth. 63. Part with your head, but not with your secret. 64. Patience is bitter, but it bears sweet fruit. 65. See with your mind; hear with your heart. 66. Stairs are climbed step by step. 67. Stretch your feet according to your blanket. 68. Study from new books but from old teachers. 69. The devil takes a hand in what is done in haste. 70. The miser and the open-handed spend the same in long run. 71. The rich man's wealth tires the poor man's jaw. 72. Thorns and roses grow on the same tree. 73. Those who know do not talk; those who talk do not know.

74.

To speak is to sow; to listen is to reap.

75. What is loaned goes away smiling but returns weeping. 76. What the heart thinks, the mouth speaks. 77. What you give away you keep. 78. When a cat wants to eat her kittens, she says they look like mice. 79. Whoever digs a pit for his neighbor should dig it his own size. 80. Whoever is fond of cream should take the cow around with him. 81. Whoever speaks evil to you of others will speak evil of you to others. 82. Wish well, be well. 83. With patience, mulberry leaves become satin. 84. Work as if you were to live forever; live as if you were to die tomorrow. 85. Kurds (as a nation) have no friends.

Qwiel Maltin: Maltese Proverbs Man is a faggot of thorns. We are all flesh and blood. The world is nonsense: what looks beautiful in the morning looks ugly in the evening. In this world a pint of sweetness and a barrel of bitterness. He who has had no experience of evil cannot know the worth of what is good. Mountain does not meet mountain, but a face meets another face. In the world there are more insane than sane. Enjoy yourself, for there is nothing in the world

we can call our own. Life is a farce. Today me, tomorrow you. The world teaches you more than your taskmaster. The world is a wheel and men are the fellowes, and the devil prowling around spins. After bad weather comes fine weather. There is no rose without thorns. Your soul to god, your body to dust; your property to your relatives, because thus it is written. A cry and a sniff, and all comes to naught. No one takes away anything with him. Death spares no one. One man's death is another man's life. I am dead it is as if everybody were dead; let the man left behind shut the door if he wants to. We are all equal before death. Death rights everything. When a miser dies, the heirs feel as happy as when they kill a pig. Only death is certain. With money you can build a road in the sea. Money begets money, and fleas beget fleas. Without money you can neither hug nor kiss. You can't buy heaven with money. The wallet of the timid man neither increases nor decreases. A handful of dust, four capitals (of a column) and shit on all i possessed. Better (marry) an old but wise man than a young but foolish man. A good cow gets sold in its own country. A kiss without a hug is like a flower without fragrance. Once you put on the wedding ring you must

submit to all that is necessary. If the man lets a woman know what he has got in his saving box, she will marry him for his money. Charm is stronger than beauty. He who loves suffers. Love is blind. He who makes a fool of himself on account of a woman is well nigh ruined. A woman who does not understand by a look of the eye won't understand by a box of the fist. He who follows his wife's advice will never see the face of god. A lovely girl attracts attention by her good looks, an ugly girl by the help of a mirror. Marriage without love-making means sad consequences and sorrow. At night all women are alike. Far from the eye far from the heart. Whatsoever a new bride touches is fragrant. Don't marry a good-looking bride for you'll have to watch her. Where the heart loves, there the legs walk. Marry a man older than you and not a younger man, who will tire of you. When the husband is a hen and the wife is a cock, the house is topsy-turvy. A neck without a head, buttocks without a hole and a girl without shame are not worth admiring or marrying. Marriage is a lick of honey and a barrel of bitter. The wagtail hops and flaps its wings, but the male dove feeds and coos. A woman has even cheated the devil. Long skirts carry dust, but short skirts carry

away souls. A woman is like a lemon; you squeeze her and throw her away. A woman has got seven souls. Seven women in their right senses are surpassed by a mad man. Believe not a swearing man and a weeping woman. A man and a sheaf of straw make two. Women have got long hair and short sense. See a sheaf of corn in the morning and a young woman in the evening. Asking is the sister of knowing. A womans tongue cracks bones. A man's heart is a forest. The cat and the rat never thought alike. You must kill the spider to get rid of the cobweb. Prickly pear trees dont produce peaches. Its better to drive four horses than a donkey. With money you can make a road in the sea. The seller has one eye, the buyer, one hundred. Its the fool wholl get you in trouble. What was is no more, what if is just if. Burn a good maltese; let alone a bad one. Better an ache than a tear. He who doesnt fart, lets out silent ones. If god doesnt take a lawyer, the devil will haul him away. The law is not made for the rich. Every bird is proud of its feathers. A woman can raise you to heaven and can dump you in hell. When the cock is euphoric, the brain is amnesic. Dont make sauce before catching fish. Money has wings.

Proverbs from around the world Arab Examine what is said, not him who speaks. When God wanted to doom the ant, he gave it wings. Armenian To be willing is only half the task. You dont water a camel with a spoon. Belgian Experience is the comb that nature gives us when we are bald. Biblical It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Put not your trust in princes. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the street. Czech Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends. Chinese When the student is ready, the master will appear. Danish God gives every bird its food, but does not always drop it into the nest. Dutch Everything of value is defenseless. Estonian Where you find fault with

something, come and give a hand. Ethiopian He who conceals his disease cannot expect to be cured. When the great lord passes the wise peasant bows deeply and silently farts. German When he has to, the devil eats flies. Greek The heart that loves is always young. Hebrew He who spares the whip hates his son Japanese A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle. Fall seven times, stand up eight. The rich man thinks of next year, the poor man of the present moment Korean A stranger nearby is better than a far-away relative. Latin If there is no wind, row. Libyan Instruction in youth is like engraving in stone. Malay Don't think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm. Like frog underneath coconut

shell. Meaning: A frog which leaves under a cocunut shell will think that the shell is the world. So, one who is like the frog will have no knowledge of things/events/places aoutside his 'world'. He refuses to venture out into the world-he remains ignorant but is happy with it. Usage: "John was excluded from the discussion because he could not contribute to it. He was just like a frog under a coconut shell". Native American If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself. (Minquass) It's impossible to awaken someone who is pretending to be asleep. (Navajo, according to John Perry Barlow) Man has responsibility, not power. (Tuscarora) Talk to your children while they are eating; what you say will stay even after you are gone. (Nez Perce) Nigerian He who is being carried does not realize how far the town is. Not to know is bad; not to wish to

know is worse. Norwegian For someone to become a good hook, he or she must be bent early (in childhood) For someone to become a good mother, she must be amused early (relies on word play) Romanian Adversity makes a man wise, not rich. If you wish good advice, consult an old man. Russian A priest's beard is always soaked in butter. Tell me who's your friend and I'll tell you who you are. You can get to the ends of the world on a lie, but you cannot return. Scottish What may be done at any time will be done at no time. With lies you may go ahead in the world, but you can never go back. Spanish After all, to make a beautiful omelet you have to break an egg. Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence. Translation: He who gets close to a good tree, will have a good shade. Interpretation: If you associate with good people, good things will happen to you. Contributor: Roberto Wanton,

August 1999 Swedish Don't throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water. Go often to the house of a friend; for weeds soon choke up the unused path. Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. Turkish Measure a thousand times and cut once. No matter how far you have gone on a wrong road, turn back. Kind words take the snake out of his hole. Welsh Adversity brings knowledge and knowledge, wisdom. Yiddish Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough, but not baked in the same oven. God couldn't be everywhere, so he created mothers. If all men pulled in one direction, the world would topple over. If you sit in a hot bath, you think the whole town is warm. Russian Proverbs and Sayings 1. A man is judged by his deeds, not by his words. 2. The sun will shine into our yard too.

3. One does not sharpen the axes after the right time; after the time they are needed. 4. After a storm (comes) fair weather, after sorrow (comes) joy. 5. All are not cooks that walk with long knives. 6. All cats are grey at night. 7. Every seed knows its time. 8. Any fish is good if it is on the hook. 9. The one who draws (a cart) is urged on. 10. All roads lead to Rome. 11. As is well that ends well. 12. All is not gold that glitters. 13. (One does not regret giving) one's own earring to one's dear friend. 14. The appetite comes during a meal. 15. Onion treats seven ailments. 16. As you cooked the porridge, so must you eat it. 17. As you make your bed, so you will sleep. 18. You will reap what you will sow. 19. It is a bad workman that has a bad saw. 20. One may make up a soft bed (for somebody), but still it will be hard to sleep in. 21. You needn't be afraid of a barking dog, but you should be afraid of a silent dog. 22. One does not look for good from good. 23. Better a dove on the plate than a woodgrouse in the mating place. 24. You cannot break through a wall with your forehead.

25. Better late than never. 26. Better to stumble than make a slip of the tongue. 27. One who sits between two chairs may easily fall down. 28. Beware of a quiet dog and still water. 29. A sparrow in the hand is better than a cock on the roof. 30. A bird may be known by its flight. 31. One fisherman sees another from afar. 32. Take the bull by the horns. 33. Once burned by milk you will blow on cold water. 34. Idleness is the mother of all vices. 35. You cannot pull a fish out of a pond without labour. 36. No money is taken for just looking (at somebody or something). 37. He would exclaim "Ah" looking at himself. 38. One would like to eat fish, but would not like to get into the water. 39. Where something is thin, that's where it tears. 40. A fly will not get into a closed mouth. 41. There will be trouble if the cobbler starts making pies. 42. Any sandpiper is great in his own swamp. 43. A drop hollows out a stone. 44. We do not care of what we have, but we cry when it is lost. 45. Not everyone who has a cowl on is a monk.

46. Curious Varvara's nose was torn off. 47. Do not dig a hole for somebody else; you yourself will fall into it. 48. God does not give to cow that butts. 49. Stretch your legs according to your clothes. 50. Stormy weather cannot stay all the time, the red sun will come out, too. 51. You need a sharp axe for a tough bough. 52. The devil is not so frighful as he is painted. 53. The scythe ran into a stone. 54. God takes care of the one who takes care of himself. 55. A wolf won't eat wolf. 56. Do not praise yourself whike going into battle; praise yourself coming out of battle. 57. You do not need a whip to urge on an obedient horse. 58. Do not carry rubbish out of your hut. 59. Cut down the tree that you are able to. 60. One does not go to Tula with one's own samovar. 61. Chickens are counted in autumn. 62. There will come a time when the seed will sprout. 63. Do not cut the bough you are sitting on. 64. The peasant will not cross himself before it begins to thunder. 65. Do not look at gift hourse's mouth. 66. Do not make an elephant out of a fly. 67. Do not measure (others) by your own yardstick.

68. Do not play with fire - you will burn yourself. 69. Do not plant a tree with its root upward. 70. A man should not be struck when he is down. 71. You do not swap horses while crossing the ford. 72. Do not teach a pike to swim, a pike knows his own science. 73. Eggs cannot teach a hen. 74. Drowing man clutches at straw. 75. God gives to those who get up early. 76. It is good to be visiting,but it is better at home. 77. An empty barrel makes the greatest sound. 78. The end is the crown of any work. 79. One is one's own master on one's own stove. 80. The tongue speaks, but the head doesn't know. 81. Every sandpiper praises its own swamp. 82. There is no evil without good. Spanish Proverbs Once you build a bad/good reputation it stays forever. One that portrays to be good and his intention are bad. A tree that grows crooked will never straighten its trunk. Tell me who you hang out with and I'll tell you who you are. One that does bad will pay before he/she dies

the same way. [He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.] Don't postpone until tomorrow what you can do today.