98 Classic Proverbs for You to Ponder and Share

Welcome to our collection of classic proverbs. We hope you enjoy pondering them and please share widely.

Wikipedia Summary for Proverb

A proverb (from Latin: proverbium) is a simple and insightful, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use formulaic language. Collectively, they form a genre of folklore.

Some proverbs exist in more than one language because people borrow them from languages and cultures with which they are in contact. In the West, the Bible (including, but not limited to the Book of Proverbs) and medieval Latin (aided by the work of Erasmus) have played a considerable role in distributing proverbs. Not all Biblical proverbs, however, were distributed to the same extent: one scholar has gathered evidence to show that cultures in which the Bible is the major spiritual book contain "between three hundred and five hundred proverbs that stem from the Bible," whereas another shows that, of the 106 most common and widespread proverbs across Europe, 11 are from the Bible. However, almost every culture has its own unique proverbs.

Quote: Keep an eye on the cat and another on the frying pan. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of Russian blue cat wearing yellow sunglasses
Photo Credit: Raoul Droog

Keep an eye on the cat and another on the frying pan.


Quote: The right man comes at the right time. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of man and woman with dog on woods
Photo Credit: Mitchell Luo

The right man comes at the right time.


Luck is the idol of the idle.


Quote: When the moon is not full, the stars shine more brightly. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of man and woman kissing
Photo Credit: Artem Everest

When the moon is not full, the stars shine more brightly.


Quote: It is bad luck to fall out of a thirteenth story window on Friday. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of orange tabby kitten
Photo Credit: Süheyl Burak

It is bad luck to fall out of a thirteenth story window on Friday.


Quote: A good captain is not made from calm seas. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of copper-colored coins on in person's hands
Photo Credit: Annie Spratt

A good captain is not made from calm seas.


Quote: ''They say'' is often a great liar. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of people walking on grey concrete floor during daytime
Photo Credit: Timon Studler

''They say'' is often a great liar.


Quote: The community of living is the carriage of the Lord. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of two persons holding each other hands
Photo Credit: Taisiia Shestopal

The community of living is the carriage of the Lord.


Quote: Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of selective focus photography of Labrador in vehicle
Photo Credit: Emerson Peters

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.


Quote: Where gold speaks every tongue is silent. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of silhouette of three men falling in line while walking during golden hour
Photo Credit: Tim Foster

Where gold speaks every tongue is silent.


Quote: However big the whale may be, the tiny harpoon can rob him of life. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of person wearing Apple watch
Photo Credit: Mitchell Hollander

However big the whale may be, the tiny harpoon can rob him of life.


Quote: The heaviest baggage for a traveller is an empty purse. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of brown rocky mountain under blue sky during daytime
Photo Credit: Brian Wangenheim

The heaviest baggage for a traveller is an empty purse.


Quote: Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of white cat sitting on brown couch
Photo Credit: Luiza Sayfullina

Follow love and it will flee, flee love and it will follow.


Quote: To lengthen your life, shorten your meals. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of brown sand beach during daytime
Photo Credit: Juan Camilo Guarin P

To lengthen your life, shorten your meals.


There is nothing noble in being superior to some other person. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self.


Quote: Hunger is a good cook. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of black and brown hair brush
Photo Credit: Jay Rembert

Hunger is a good cook.


Quote: A brother is a friend God gave you; a friend is a brother your heart chose for you. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of blue weimariner
Photo Credit: Cristofer Maximilian

A brother is a friend God gave you; a friend is a brother your heart chose for you.


Quote: To attract good fortune, spend a new penny on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of Proverb quote; white text on black background

To attract good fortune, spend a new penny on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon.


Quote: Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of pink heart art
Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema

Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters.


Quote: Even the lion has to defend himself against flies. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of clear glass hour glass with black liquid
Photo Credit: Wilhelm Gunkel

Even the lion has to defend himself against flies.


Quote: It is better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a mighty ocean. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of high-angle photography of mountain at sunset
Photo Credit: Casey Horner

It is better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a mighty ocean.


Quote: Fish always stinks from the head downwards. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of four people sitting on wooden stair
Photo Credit: Gaelle Marcel

Fish always stinks from the head downwards.


If the fish had not opened its mouth, it would not have been caught.


Quote: Fish, to taste right, must swim three times -- in water, in butter, and in wine. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of gray and black laptop computer on surface
Photo Credit: Ales Nesetril

Fish, to taste right, must swim three times -- in water, in butter, and in wine.


Quote: Men's skins have many colors, but human blood is always red. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of silver click pen on white paper
Photo Credit: R Mo

Men's skins have many colors, but human blood is always red.


Quote: Rain does not fall on one roof alone. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of assorted banknotes and coins
Photo Credit: Katie Harp

Rain does not fall on one roof alone.


Quote: A hundred years cannot repair a moment's loss of honor. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of silhouette of man and woman about to kiss on beach during sunset
Photo Credit: Annette Sousa

A hundred years cannot repair a moment's loss of honor.


Quote: Hygiene is two thirds of health. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of green leafed tree with sunlight at daytime
Photo Credit: D. Jameson RAGE

Hygiene is two thirds of health.


Quote: Gossiping and lying go hand in hand. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of low angle photo of city high rise buildings during daytime
Photo Credit: Sean Pollock

Gossiping and lying go hand in hand.


Quote: Not the glittering weapon fights the fight, but rather the hero's heart. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of black and white butterfly on pink flower
Photo Credit: Joshua J. Cotten

Not the glittering weapon fights the fight, but rather the hero's heart.


Quote: The more you eat, the less flavor; the less you eat, the more flavor. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of blue wooden door opened
Photo Credit: Joaquin Paz y Miño

The more you eat, the less flavor; the less you eat, the more flavor.


Quote: The first step toward greatness is to be honest. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of red and white heart balloons
Photo Credit: Christopher Beloch

The first step toward greatness is to be honest.


Quote: All clever men are birds of prey. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of red illustration
Photo Credit: Scott Webb

All clever men are birds of prey.


Quote: The fool is always beginning to live. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of snow-covered mountain near lake under blue sky
Photo Credit: fynn

The fool is always beginning to live.


Quote: An empty belly hears nobody. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of grayscale photography of kids walking on road
Photo Credit: Annie Spratt

An empty belly hears nobody.


Quote: Do little things now; so shall big things come to thee by and by asking to be done. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of person typing on Apple Cordless Keyboard
Photo Credit: Damian Zaleski

Do little things now; so shall big things come to thee by and by asking to be done.


Quote: Exaggeration is to paint a snake and add legs. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of monitor showing Java programming
Photo Credit: Ilya Pavlov

Exaggeration is to paint a snake and add legs.


Quote: Don't do what you'll have to find an excuse for. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of multicolored hand paint
Photo Credit: Sharon McCutcheon

Don't do what you'll have to find an excuse for.


Quote: A spoken word is not a sparrow. Once it flies out, you can't catch it. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of man raising arms between greenfield
Photo Credit: Hanny Naibaho

A spoken word is not a sparrow. Once it flies out, you can't catch it.


Quote: All people smile in the same language. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of white flower
Photo Credit: DiscoverQuotes Staff

All people smile in the same language.


Quote: If you see a friend without a smile; give him one of yours. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of close up photo of tree
Photo Credit: Hannah Gregg

If you see a friend without a smile; give him one of yours.


Quote: Never sell your hen on a rainy day. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of two gold-colored skeleton keys
Photo Credit: Marci Angeles

Never sell your hen on a rainy day.


Quote: A real cousin (or friend) is someone who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of white rose enclosed photograph
Photo Credit: Annie Spratt

A real cousin (or friend) is someone who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.


Quote: Cousins by chance, friends by choice. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of pink rose bud closeup photo
Photo Credit: Alisa Olaivar

Cousins by chance, friends by choice.


Quote: A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of Proverb quote; white text on black background

A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content.


Quote: Man is harder than iron, stronger than stone and more fragile than a rose. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of forest trees photograph
Photo Credit: Logan Easterling

Man is harder than iron, stronger than stone and more fragile than a rose.


Quote: A misty morning does not signify a cloudy day. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of white paint palette with black paint beside ink bottle and paint brush
Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema

A misty morning does not signify a cloudy day.


Quote: A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of man kissing the woman wearing blue polka-dot dress
Photo Credit: Anna Hecker

A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.


Quote: Eyes are the window to the soul. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of body of water near mountains
Photo Credit: Nathan Dumlao

Eyes are the window to the soul.


Quote: Before you begin on the journey of revenge, dig two graves. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of photography of yellow petaled flowers field
Photo Credit: Johannes Plenio

Before you begin on the journey of revenge, dig two graves.


Quote: Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of grayscale photography of man and woman hugging near hill
Photo Credit: Everton Vila

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein.


Quote: Deceit is in haste, but honesty can wait a fair leisure. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of dome tent with galaxy with stars
Photo Credit: Jongsun Lee

Deceit is in haste, but honesty can wait a fair leisure.


Quote: A bad day never hath a good night. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of grayscale photography of man and woman hugging near hill
Photo Credit: Everton Vila

A bad day never hath a good night.


Quote: Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of peacock butterfly perched on white flower in close up photography during daytime
Photo Credit: Arturo Sreev

Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.


Quote: He who does not research has nothing to teach. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of man and woman kissing beside body of water during daytime
Photo Credit: Jonathan Borba

He who does not research has nothing to teach.


Quote: A lost friendship is an enemy won. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of 1 U.S. dollar banknote
Photo Credit: NeONBRAND

A lost friendship is an enemy won.


Quote: Empty vessels make most noise. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of person holding white mini bell alarmclock
Photo Credit: Lukas Blazek

Empty vessels make most noise.


Quote: A loaded wagon makes no noise. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of time lapse photography of several burning US dollar banknotes
Photo Credit: Jp Valery

A loaded wagon makes no noise.


Quote: Unless a serpent devour a serpent it will not become a dragon. Unless one power absorb another, it will not become great. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of blue sky with stars during night time
Photo Credit: George Foster

Unless a serpent devour a serpent it will not become a dragon. Unless one power absorb another, it will not become great.


Quote: Sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of white and black bird
Photo Credit: Pete Nuij

Sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot.


Quote: No man is quick enough to enjoy life to the full. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of black and white duck on brown wooden dock during daytime
Photo Credit: Mark König

No man is quick enough to enjoy life to the full.


He who does not have common sense at age thirty will never have it.


Quote: A handful of common sense is worth a bushel of learning. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of grass field under cloudy sky
Photo Credit: Eugene Triguba

A handful of common sense is worth a bushel of learning.


Quote: Like mother, like daughter. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime
Photo Credit: Naassom Azevedo

Like mother, like daughter.


Quote: Six feet of earth make all men equal. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of Eiffel Tower under blue sky during daytime
Photo Credit: cyril mazarin

Six feet of earth make all men equal.


Quote: A man's home is his castle. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of light match stick
Photo Credit: Allec Gomes

A man's home is his castle.


Quote: Don't use a lot where a little will do. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of rocks near shore during nighttime
Photo Credit: Joakim Honkasalo

Don't use a lot where a little will do.


Quote: If you steal something small you are a petty thief, but if you steal millions you are a gentleman of society. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of couple portrait wallpaper
Photo Credit: Blake Carpenter

If you steal something small you are a petty thief, but if you steal millions you are a gentleman of society.


Quote: When the will is ready the feet are light. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of photo of pine tree
Photo Credit: Kimon Maritz

When the will is ready the feet are light.


Quote: He loses his thanks who promises and delays. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of black dog photography
Photo Credit: freddie marriage

He loses his thanks who promises and delays.


Quote: April showers bring forth May flowers. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of orange tabby cat on black textile
Photo Credit: Jonnelle Yankovich

April showers bring forth May flowers.


Quote: He that will cheat at play, will cheat you any way. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of running white, brown, and black dog
Photo Credit: Joséphine Menge

He that will cheat at play, will cheat you any way.


Quote: As the call, so the echo. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of adult short-coated red akita inu dog on field
Photo Credit: Jaycee Xie

As the call, so the echo.


Quote: Grief is light that is capable of counsel. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of three women sitting on rock near body of water
Photo Credit: Courtney Cook

Grief is light that is capable of counsel.


Quote: Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of lighted candle
Photo Credit: Marc Ignacio

Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.


Quote: You cannot be lost on a road that is straight. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of man standing on rock near lake
Photo Credit: Redd

You cannot be lost on a road that is straight.


Quote: One meets his destiny often in the road he takes to avoid it. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of blue ocean
Photo Credit: manu schwendener

One meets his destiny often in the road he takes to avoid it.


Quote: Some have been thought brave because they didn't have the courage to run away. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of white ceramic mug with coffee on brown wooden table
Photo Credit: Annie Spratt

Some have been thought brave because they didn't have the courage to run away.


Quote: Better a thousand times careful than once dead. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog
Photo Credit: FLOUFFY

Better a thousand times careful than once dead.


Quote: Where there is smoke there is fire. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of green leafed plant
Photo Credit: Alex Loup

Where there is smoke there is fire.


Quote: Fire is never a gentle master. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of statue of liberty new york city
Photo Credit: Marcelo Cidrack

Fire is never a gentle master.


Quote: Fire, water, and government know nothing of mercy. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of silhouette of man and woman kissing
Photo Credit: Loc Dang

Fire, water, and government know nothing of mercy.


Quote: Fire and gunpowder do not sleep together. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of kitten lying on red and white quatrefoil textile
Photo Credit: Jonathan Fink

Fire and gunpowder do not sleep together.


Quote: A kiss without a hug is like a flower without the fragrance. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of black and brown metal machine
Photo Credit: Stewart Munro

A kiss without a hug is like a flower without the fragrance.


Quote: Better to be known as a sinner than a hypocrite. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of red surface
Photo Credit: Clem Onojeghuo

Better to be known as a sinner than a hypocrite.


Quote: If you can't get people to listen to you any other way, tell them it's confidential. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of yellow flower in green grass field
Photo Credit: Jason Dent

If you can't get people to listen to you any other way, tell them it's confidential.


Quote: Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of black cat sitting on rock during day
Photo Credit: Agape Trn

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance.


Quote: The whisper of a pretty girl can be heard further than the roar of a lion. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of orange cat stretching on white surface
Photo Credit: Timo Volz

The whisper of a pretty girl can be heard further than the roar of a lion.


Quote: Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of black pug puppy on green textile
Photo Credit: Priscilla Du Preez

Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.


Quote: A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of black and silver retractable pen on blank book
Photo Credit: Mike Tinnion

A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses.


Quote: The charitable give out the door and God puts it back through the window. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of rock mountain during starry night
Photo Credit: Pawel Nolbert

The charitable give out the door and God puts it back through the window.


Quote: Take what you want and pay for it, says God. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of fawn pug in close up photography
Photo Credit: Summer Chan

Take what you want and pay for it, says God.


Quote: If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of two women walking together outdoor during daytime
Photo Credit: Joseph Pearson

If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.


Quote: Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, he turned into a butterfly. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of desk with laptop
Photo Credit: Nikita Kachanovsky

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, he turned into a butterfly.


Quote: A wise man once said nothing. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of gold and silver tube bottle
Photo Credit: Danilo Alvesd

A wise man once said nothing.


Quote: All good things come to he who waits. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of grey chain body armor
Photo Credit: Martin Zaenkert

All good things come to he who waits.


Quote: Spoil not an act of kindness by speaking of it. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of lights
Photo Credit: DiscoverQuotes Staff

Spoil not an act of kindness by speaking of it.


Quote: Charity sees the need, not the cause. by author Proverb overlaid on photo of two women holding flowers
Photo Credit: Sam Manns

Charity sees the need, not the cause.


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