Spare the rod and spoil the child.

This proverb espouses the view that failing to correct a child who has done wrong is not good for the child. Though many people today wouldnt take offense at the rod part, many people might agree that childhood is a time for learning right and wrong.

Dont count your chickens before theyre hatched.

This proverb encourages hearers not to count on future possibilities that may well not come to pass. A more recent expression of this sentiment goes like this:

Dont count your new cars before theyre built.

This version takes the proverb from the rural farm setting to an urban setting by changing a few words, while preserving the sentiment.

You cant judge a book by its cover.

This proverb asks the listener not to jump to conclusions based on limited or shallow knowledge. A modernized version runs:

You cant judge a car by its paint job.

This version, like the other car proverb, gives the proverb an up-to-date touch.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

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This proverb, coined by Fred Barnard, an advertising executive, in 1921, reminds us that sometimes the immediate impression of an image can capture more than a large number of thoughtful words.

You can fool some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.

This long proverb is an exception to the general rule. It was created by Abraham Lincoln, our sixteenth President, who is known for a number of wise sayings, proverbs, and pithy remarks. Notice that just as in his the famous ending of the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln here uses repetition to make a memorable statement, and is able to convey enough that in 30 words he can set up a joke and provide a punchline.

Common Proverbs Around the World

Its not unusual for proverbs from different countries to express very similar concepts. Here are some examples (with translations from the other languages):

These common proverbs are about thinking before you act:

English: Look before you leap. Italian: Second thoughts are best.

These common proverbs are about needing the proper prerequisites for the next step to happen.

English: You cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear. English: You cant get blood out of a turnip. Jamaican: Its hard to get butter out of a dogs throat.

These common proverbs are about jealousy: Page 2 of 3

 English: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Bulgarian: Other peoples eggs have two yolks.

These common proverbs are about the relation of thought and speech:

English: Think before you speak. Scottish: Give your tongue more holidays than your head.

Sources

Wise and Otherwise (Proverb boardgame)

A Dictionary of American Proverbs by Wolfgang Mieder, Stewart A. Kingsbury, and Kelsie B. Harder

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